Rachel Zoe Most Influential Fashion Star

Rachel Zoe is one of the most influential forces in fashion today. Raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, she was exposed at a very young age to the worlds of contemporary art and fashion by her parents. With her mother's influence and access to countless designer treasures, she developed a very strong passion for vintage and all things glamour.

After completing her degree at George Washington University where she studied psychology and sociology, Rachel moved to New York City to take on the fashion capitol of the world. She started her career as a fashion assistant at a New York-based fashion magazine and was promoted to senior fashion editor within two years.

Seeking to diversify her experience, she began to work directly with top pop stars and actresses to create their images and continued to work as a contributing editor to numerous fashion magazines.

An avid fan of old Hollywood glamour since childhood, Rachel decided to undertake a new challenge and move to Los Angeles where she could merge the worlds of fashion and Hollywood after working a decade in the fashion world of New York City.

Immediately, Rachel made a name for herself amongst celebrities and high profile personalities by single handedly bringing the vintage movement into fruition with her devotion to the style eras of the 1960's and 1970's.

Determined to make her style accessible to all, Rachel's first tome, "Style A to Zoe," hit bookstores in October 2007. It was released in paperback domestically in September 2008, making the very prestigious, New York Times Best Seller List.

In September 2008, "The Rachel Zoe Project" debuted on Bravo and instantly made Rachel Zoe a household name. By welcoming audiences into her world, she provided access into the previously unseen worlds of fashion and jet set lifestyle.

After the release of her widely sought after collection of luxury handbags with Judith Leiber in 2006, Rachel proved her success as a designer.

In an effort to reach and provide affordable glamour to a broader audience, Rachel launched a collection of jewelry, handbags, scarves, sunglasses and outerwear exclusively sold on QVC.

In August 2009, Rachel Zoe Inc. launched The Zoe Report, a free daily newsletter featuring Rachel's favorite obsessions in the ever-evolving worlds of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

This year, Rachel is expanding her fashion empire, by launching an eponymous contemporary fashion line. Rachel describes the collection as, "uptown chic and downtown cool infused with Parisian elegance and London street style."

The collection includes faux fur pieces, tuxedos, sequined cocktail dresses and 1960's and 1970's inspired everyday basics.

Rachel Zoe has been on countless "most influential" lists from virtually every domestic and international fashion and financial publication.

She is the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards including The Fashion Group International's 2006 Fashion Oracle Award, the Accessories Council 2006 Fashion Influencer Ace Award and Hollywood Life Magazine's 2006 Star Stylist Award. MSN.com also named Rachel one of the "10 Most Influential Women of 2006."