Rachel Zoe is a celebrity stylist, fashion designer, has her own show (The Rachel Zoe Project) — but her favorite job is that of mom to her 2-year-old son Skyler. Recently, we had an opportunity to talk to Zoe about motherhood and a whole lot more.
I chatted with Zoe about everything from motherhood (“Obsessed!”) to having more kids, who would play her in a movie — and even got her to spill the maternity fashion advice she would give to Kim Kardashian.
Upon learning I would be doing a phone interview with the fab Rachel Zoe, I quickly brushed up on my Rachel-isms (“Beyond maj,” “I die,” “Bananas,” “Sky Sky”), obsessed over the perfect interview outfit (that she would never see) and bragged about my good fortune on Facebook (duh!).
SheKnows: As a mom of two boys myself, I heard you were thinking of doing a kids’ clothing line, and we need more cool boys’ clothes! Are you considering it?
Rachel Zoe: Listen, I never say never because every time I say I would never do something I end up doing it. I will say I can’t imagine anything more fun to do as a designer than to design children’s clothes. I think the possibilities are endless as to how creative you can be and I do think, of course — the same as in the adult retail world — that women’s clothes strongly outweigh the men’s clothes; and it is the same with children. It is 80 percent girls’ and 20 percent boys’ clothes — so it forces you to be more creative. I do think that ultimately, yes, I would love to. I’m not doing it this second because my plate is a little full right now. But it is something I would love to and hope to do.
SheKnows: On your show TheRachel Zoe Project, you talked a lot about balancing a family life and a career. You said you might want to have another child, but it would also mean missing a fashion season. Would you like to give Skyler a sibling one of these days?
RZ: I always say that whatever is meant to be will be. Skyler was not planned. It just happened. It was the best thing that has ever happened to me and Rodger unquestionably, and we just stare at him and love him more every second of the day, if that is even possible. The answer is that if it is meant to be it will be, and if we are lucky enough to have another one, we will have another one. I think we are so blessed with Sky and [if] that is all we are supposed to have, then that is OK too.
SheKnows:Kim Kardashian has admitted that it is been difficult to dress her pregnant shape. What advice do you have for Kim and other pregnant women struggling to dress their new curves?
RZ: God, you know, it is hard. I was lucky in that Sky was good to me and my pregnancy and I don’t think I would get that lucky twice. He kind of stayed contained in one area. So I found myself wearing clothes that had a lot of stretch and draping, and I always went for comfort. Black, navy and dark colors are your best friend. I suggest that if you are going to wear structure, to keep it at a jacket that is more fitted on the arms or shoulders. You can either embrace your tummy and wear things that are more fitted and be like, “Hey, look at me,” which is beautiful and amazing, or you can wear more volume and sometimes, depending on the person, can actually create more volume. If you are carrying a larger pregnancy then I think you almost just want to embrace it and cradle it with jersey. And just say, here is my tummy!
SheKnows: Would you ever do a maternity line? Never say never?
RZ: Sure… there are some really great maternity options and I think a lot of designers have really come to the table with some beautiful maternity wear now. A Pea in the Pod has great stuff!
SheKnows: After pregnancy, what clothes do you think best flatter a new mom?
RZ: My best friend was a really good legging that had the perfect amount of stretch, because you really need to be comfortable. I wore a lot of long “tunic-y” T-shirts and tank tops. I was breastfeeding, and you need easy access, so [get] a great jacket, which is always your best friend because it can camouflage a really comfortable outfit underneath. Jeans and a T-shirt with a good pair of boots was always my uniform during and after pregnancy.
SheKnows: I loved watching the episode of The Rachel Zoe Project where Rodger wanted to toughen up Skyler’s look. What are your favorite clothes for Skyler? What do you like to dress him in?
RZ: I dress him in literally everything under the sun. I’m obsessed with Baby Gap; I think it’s incredible. The fit and quality are great. I cannot get enough of the brand called NicoNico; I think I own every piece they have ever made for Sky. Tons of Gucci, tons of Ralph Lauren for Boys is amazing. Stella McCartney Kids is one of my all-time favorites. [I like] J.Crew Crew Cuts. It really just depends on what he is doing. If he is running around and playing in the dirt all day he is dressed totally different than when we go to a birthday party or whatever. It is fun to dress him like a little man — like a mini version of my husband sometimes, so it is really cute. Who knew that dressing a boy could be so fun?
SheKnows: You and Rodger really balance each other out. Has your relationship changed since having Sky?
RZ: God, I didn’t think it was possible, since we have been together for 22 years — so I didn’t think it was possible that we could get closer. But yeah, a child is a bond that is an unfathomable and indescribable experience. It is a mind-blowing thing.
We laugh all day long. Skyler is like a happy pill that we take when we wake up. It is also exhausting, but it life-changing on every level in the best way. We were lucky enough that we had Sky late in our relationship and we really got to enjoy each other for a really long time before we had him. Now I think our relationship went to a whole new place and I think we have complete and utter happiness. I don’t think I could ever complain about anything, and if anything goes wrong in your life and you come home and look at your son or daughter, you check everything else out at the door and know everything is OK.
SheKnows: I know you have teamed up with Baby2Baby and Huggies Every Little Bottom to host a Mother’s Day garden party to celebrate moms and bring awareness to the issues of diaper need. Why is this important to you?
RZ: This is my first year hosting it. Last year I was big part of it and I was honored they asked me to host it. My official title is that I’m an “angel “ to Baby2Baby. Diapers, food, toys, anything — you name it — it’s limitless what they do for the families of Los Angeles. Huggies is so extraordinary and that they get behind this event — we couldn’t do it without them and I am really honored to do it. I think it will be a special day.
SheKnows: I know Molly Sims is also supporting this cause for Huggies and Baby2Baby — and she recently had her first baby. Have you been sharing mom advice or comparing baby stories?
RZ: Yes. All the time. We have been friends for many, many years. She is incredible. I was so excited for her to become a mother and it happened like a year after I had Sky, so we just had Skyler’s birthday and Molly came. It’s always really nice when you know people for a long time and you have kids around the same time. We laugh a lot about the same things. We both have boys, obviously, and I think we are such “girly girls” and it is so funny. We live for our kids. Every day you become more involved and more obsessed with your child.
SheKnows: Let’s talk Rachel off-duty. What do you do to de-stress or decompress?
RZ: Oh my God, I am going to be honest with you — I think those days are over. I really don’t get to do that that often, especially now that I’m a mom. Before I had Sky, Rodge and I would have what we called “shut-ins” from Friday night to Sunday. We wouldn’t leave and would just order in takeout and stay in our bathrobes and it was amazing. I think once you are a parent it is all about “How much can you do in a certain time period?” From 6 in the morning until nap-time at 1, how many activities can we do? I think during his nap-time now I will honestly sit with my laptop and do some online shopping or sit in my bathrobe or sit outside in the backyard by the pool — but I recently started doing yoga, which is really helping me. I have been doing it three times a week in the morning, and it really helps with breathing and relaxing. Sky actually does it with us some, so it is really fun.
SheKnows: If they make a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
RZ: I think Kate Hudson could always do great. She could do anything.
SheKnows: If your house were on fire, what one item would you grab out of your amazing closet?
RZ: My engagement ring — if it wasn’t on my finger.
SheKnows: Who is most often on diaper duty? You or Rodger?
RZ: We both do everything. We are both very hands-on. We are in. We are not above anything. Weirdly, it is those kinds of things that let your child know that you are the parent. I do a bath with him every single night. Dinner, bath and bed every single night. I think maybe I have missed it three times in his entire life. The best. The best.
SheKnows: I know Skyler just celebrated a birthday. What did you do for his birthday?
RZ: It was so much fun. I had to do it three weeks after his birthday because his birthday fell during spring break this year and all his friends were away, so we did it at the house in my backyard. He is obsessed with animals and the zoo, so we did a fun animal safari birthday; it was incredible. We had a photo session with a Polaroid camera, we had crafts, a candy table, a face painter, music and dance, and everything was animals everywhere. It was so cute.
He had a lot of cake. That is what he loved the most about his birthday was the birthday cake.
Join Rachel’s cause! One in three American families struggle to provide clean, dry diapers for their children. Through the Huggies Every Little Bottom program, Baby2Baby will receive 1 million diapers this year to help Los Angeles families in need and give them access to the new and improved Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers. For every tweet using the hashtag #HuggiesBaby2Baby, Huggies Every Little Bottom will donate additional diapers to help more Los Angeles families.
Photos by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Kim Kardashian photo credit: WENN
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