The Rachel Zoe Project

by Justin Fenner

A trailer for the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project, which premieres on March 6, sheds some light on rumors that its star's clothing line had lower-than-expected sales last year.

After following Zoe to Fashion Week in New York and Paris, camera crews capture Zoe getting bad news about the health of her label's sales.

"A lot of the pieces that go down the runway don't do well on a retail floor," says one of Zoe's associates about halfway through the teaser. Later, the stylist's husband and business partner, Rodger Berman, says, "I just want it to be commercially viable, that's all. . . . The legitimacy of our company is really at stake."

In August, Page Six reported that consumer interest in Zoe's line had "peaked" and that her show might not return to Bravo. But shortly after the network confirmed a fifth season of The Rachel Zoe Project, Zoe dismissed any speculation that her line was underperforming. "My business is up significantly. Just launched jewelry, things are going well," she said at the FABB conference in New York. "None of those points from the NY Post article were true, and it got picked up by everyone. Our retailers didn't even blink, though, because they know the truth."

Perhaps that confident statement means whatever caused concerns about Zoe's business was resolved. A look at the trailer, below.

Related: Rumor: Are Sales of Rachel Zoe's Clothing Line on the Decline? (Update)

Related: Rachel Zoe Fall 2012

by Justin Fenner

Could rumors about declining sales of Rachel Zoe's clothing label be related to concerns about the future of her Bravo reality show? Some sources say the line isn't selling as well as expected — despite indications from her business partners that they're "very happy" with its performance.

The show was an important promotional tool for the clothing, but so far it hasn't been renewed for a fifth season, and uncertainty about its future has been in the air for months. Last December, Zoe's husband Rodger Berman told Fashionista it was "still unclear" whether the show would return for a fifth season. This February, Zoe — who had at that point started her own television production company — told WWD, "After four years, maybe there's something to be said for starting something new."

That may explain why unnamed sources told Page Six Monday that Li & Fung — the Chinese retailing firm that backs Zoe's collection — "is panicked" about the future of the line, and that consumer interest in her wares has hit its peak. Alan Chartash, Li & Fung's chief strategy officer in the United States, said that was not the case.

"We're very happy. Apparel launched a year or so, and since that time, we've launched footwear, handbags and we're launching a line of jewelry exclusively with Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman," Chartash said. "We're supportive of Rachel and the continuation of the brand. Like any clothing line, it ebbs and flows, but we're very happy with the apparel sales."

Representatives from Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue, which also sell Zoe's clothing, had not responded to requests for comment as of this post.

Update: Bravo announced today that it has picked up The Rachel Zoe Project for a fifth season that will follow the stylist as she oversees her expanding business and family. Zoe herself said today during the Lucky Fabb conference that rumors of her business suffering are untrue. "My business is up significantly. Just launched jewelry, things are going well," she said. "None of those points from the NY Post article were true and it got picked up by everyone. Our retailers didn't even blink, though, because they know the truth."

by Rebecca M Gruber

Baby Skyler has arrived! On last night's episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, we got a peek inside the fashionista's extremely stylish delivery. In the days leading up to the lil one's birth, we watched as she packed pieces of Chanel and thigh-high boots into her hospital bag and made arrangements for hair and makeup during her stay. But when the celebrity stylist's water broke in the middle of the night, it wasn't the paparazzi or even Bravo's cameras focused on the laboring mama, but her own husband's. Watch as she and Rodger have words about his documentation and tell me, how much of your labor did you record?

by Jaime Richards

As Rachel Zoe's beauty guru on The Rachel Zoe Project (Tuesdays at 9 p.m.), Joey Maalouf is the man responsible for maintaining the stylist's signature beachy waves and ubiquitous red lipstick look. And while Maalouf has been a hair and makeup artist since he was 15 years old, he's also been dabbling as a clothing stylist on the show. Rachel always surrounds herself with the liveliest of people, and as you might imagine, Maalouf is no exception. To see what he has to say about making over Kate Middleton, how Rachel wooed hubby Rodger Berman over with burgundy lips, and more, just keep reading.

by POPSUGAR Fashion News

>> Originally set to debut in July, and then August, the premiere date of The Rachel Zoe Project season four just got moved once more: It's now hitting Bravo on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 10 ET/PT. The first episode is summarized, according to the release, as such: "In the season premiere, Rachel Zoe, Inc. is growing exponentially, and so is Rachel’s family. With a baby on the way, Rodger [Berman, Zoe's husband] looks for a bigger house, while Rachel sets her eyes on launching her new fashion line. After an Elle magazine photo shoot with her hubby, Rachel and Rodger jet off to a round of interviews for potential new junior stylists to replace Brad [Goreski, Zoe's former assistant]. Hoping she’ll slow down and take it easy, Rachel tries to manage it all leaving Rodger concerned for her health and well-being." A trailer for the season can be seen here.

by POPSUGAR Fashion News

>> Rachel Zoe has "no idea" what annual sales might be for her new eponymous collection, which hits a long list of stores in July: Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Intermix, Selfridges, Kirna Zabete, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Shopbop.com. But she says she went numb when she heard who had bought the line: “It was this dream that I never thought would be reality because I was petrified — I was. I feel so complete now becoming a designer and having my son. I’m that happiest that I’ve ever been in my life.”

Neiman Marcus, for one, is launching Zoe's sportswear, handbags, and shoes at all 41 of its doors, plus online and at Bergdorf Goodman; "The rollout across the entire Neiman Marcus Group is a rare endorsement of a fledgling brand," WWD notes. Why the decision? "She is a real talent,” Ken Downing, SVP and fashion director of Neiman Marcus, notes of Zoe. “She understands the customer and she’s brought an effortless chic to the collection. The clothes are going to appeal to women of many ages. And, she’s got an amazing name.”

Next up for Zoe? The fourth season of The Rachel Zoe Project, which will begin airing on Bravo in July; and jewelry for Fall 2012. “I wish it were for spring,” Zoe says. “I am dying to do jewelry. I’m gagging.”