NYT TV Review: Rachel Zoe A "Pox On Humanity"

Rachel Zoe, a blonde with a relaxed perm and roots that are visible on purpose, is a fashion stylist, which in her fortunate case means that she dresses celebrities, reportedly for up to $6,000 a day. As one of her assistants explained in the premiere episode of "The Rachel Zoe Project" (Tuesdays on Bravo): "We don't just dress clients for award shows. We do premieres, personal appearances, personal shopping. We pretty much do everything."

Even that sells Ms. Zoe short. More than any other stylist working in Hollywood today, she doesn't merely peddle clothes, she emblazons an image, turning cipher nobodies into pretend somebodies. Although she has put grown women with viable acting careers into gowns -- Debra Messing, Cameron Diaz -- she is known more generally for forging a look of girlish vacancy, one that says: "I get up at noon. And then I spend my day refusing solid foods."

....

Given that Ms. Zoe is already a pox on humanity -- exploiting an aesthetic of dissipation, invading our collective consciousness and spraying it with dummy dust -- it is amazing that "The Rachel Zoe Project," which focuses on her career, manages to send its audience deeper into the territory of smug NPR obsessives who won't stop ranting about triviality's conquest of the American soul.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[alieninvader]

I'm not a complete social illiterate. I have cable, I read People Magazine when it's sitting around at the gym, but who is Rachel Zoe?

[smugglerdurant]

I watched it and rather liked her. We all choose a different focus in life. Hers is fashion and helping create that celebrity "hero" moment or big wedding moments. Who hasn't wanted or needed that in their lives?

I expected to hate it, but I appreciate her passion and focus. It's not mine, but it's not necessarily destructive or a 'pox'. It can't all be war and global warming all the time.

[klandish]

Why the hatchet piece? Some of the sociological observations are valid but you must realize it's really a comedy on celebrity and style and the whole cut throat cutting edge world of contemporary Hollywood. I find the breakneck pace and neurotic intensity fascinating. It actually takes aesthetic tweeking to a dizzying new high.

[ENK727]

I don't like the way she dresses her clients. I wonder why she's become so famous and got a TV show??

[elan4444]

But triviality has consumed us. Nobody knows where the Ukrane is, much less Venezuela.

[klandish]

Lament, lament,lament. At least it's not "Jesus Camp"or a high styling docudrama on speaking in tongues or the latest church social extravaganza. If this Country votes that direction...look out! Your entertainment will be filled with spiritual meaning or else.

[KristenfromMA]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Incidentally, Nicole Ritchie's the radical weight loss was due to this woman's influence. The fact that she gets paid huge sums of money to be such a negative influence on young women speaks volumes about the culture.

[Fair]

It appears that Zoe was heavier at one time as well. This picture is from 06/2006. She looks different, heavier, fuller faced.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3772/2427/1600/iphotos073921.jpg

[cheferic]

I saw a minute or 2 of the show -that was about all I could stand I was stunned at the Valley Girl accents
right out of the Frank Zappa song ( I meeen lieek eau miy goahhd) - so over exaggerated it was kind of creepy ,that and the stevie nicks outfits were enough to make me think of the emperors new clothes -to her credit ,I think she is one of those people who make money in all economies .

[Topfeeder]

Bananas, she and her show are just bananas!

[Triangle1]

I think the media is too severe on her. She's a fashion consultant in a celebrity obsessed culture. I can only guess there's a certain amount of jealousy for her, since she's getting some credit for developing celebrity image. If I had to attend a big event with worldwide publicity, I'd certainly want someone like her analyzing what I was wearing and telling me if my haircut looked horrible! http://mespace.wordpress.com

[protagonia]

There is actual evil out there. A pretty "blond" is not evil. The networks that distract us with mindless, shallow garbage in our time of crisis ARE evil, however.

[tmaleone]

I love rachel zoe....she dictates trends and styles...she dresses EVERYONE and completely respects and appreciates the artistry of fashion design...don't hate on her.... I guarantee you have liked her work over the years without even knowing it.

[ENK727]

Another stupid and disgusting reality show I won't be watching.

[VicksieDo]

The show DOES suck....and she's a very very shallow person, but what did you expect?

[EducatedDerelict]

D'accord. I agree 100% with this article's author, GINIA BELLAFANTE: This show (because of its content...or lack thereof) "...couldn't be nuttier."

[truthyguy]

And whoever she is laughs all day and each day at those idiots who pay her stupid money to do this meaningless service. So who is the pox - Zoe or the people who throw money at her?

[Nakia]

Both.