Style Icon Rachel Zoe Visits Holt Renfrew

Dress like a 1960s rockstar in Rachel Zoe's must-have fall 2012 runway collection

Forty-year-old-stylist-turned-designer Rachel Zoe visited Vancouver last week, drawing a crowd to Holt Renfrew.

You probably remember the frenzy when Victoria Beckham appeared at Holt in June. While Zoe's 2012 Fall Fashion Show wasn’t totally bananas, a decent crush of fashionistas/os, Vancouver celebs (Anna Kosturova, Liz Bell, Deanna Palkowski), and mother-daughter duos turned up to hear what the Gen Y icon had to say.

I was nudged in the face with a $$$ purse or two as fans tried to squeeze into the minimal runway seating. By the time the models appeared, about 150+ fans were standing in four-inch heels (and two-inch denim cut offs), straining to catch a glimpse. Zoe was 30 minutes late for her appearance - rather impressive when compared with Beckham.

Whether or not you like Rachel Zoe (the bird-boned style advisor has been accused of promoting an unhealthy body image on more than one occasion), there’s no doubt that when a stylist designs a collection, the pieces are delightfully wearable.

As a stylist, Zoe has advised celebrity clients including Nicole Richie, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, Debra Messing, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler, Eva Mendes and Anne Hathaway.

Zoe’s Fall 2012 creations were originally seen at New York Fashion Week in February.  

The Rachel Zoe Fall 2012 Look

"I have this crazy obsession with the creative 1960s and 1970s in fashion and music," Zoe told the crowd. "It’s what I identify with; it’s what I love. I set out to  bring that time back, but keep it modern and fresh. For fall, I fantasized about The Beatles, The Rolling Stones in late '60s rock and roll London dating Marianne Faithfull."

Zoe's vintage rock'n'roll inspiration translated into a supercool mix of structured rockstar gear (3/4 length cream jackets, velvet brocade blazers) and swinging feminine It-girl items (sequined dresses, evergreen capes, playsuits, print maxi dresses, palazzo pants).

Zoe's capsule look allows women to dress like their 1960s rock icon and his girlfriend at the same time - something only attainable in 2012. Prices range from $175 to $895.