Rachel Zoe displayed her extraordinarily lean figure in a plunging gown Tuesday at her Hamptons magazine cover launch event in East Hampton. The 54-year-old fashion stylist bared her protruding chest bones in the low-cut frock during her appearance at the Hedges Inn, a venue in the town immortalized by the documentary The Beales of Grey Gardens.
The public appearance comes as her petite frame faces renewed attention following recent social media posts. The Daily Mail has contacted Zoe's representative for comment regarding the reaction.
Public Concern and Online Reaction
Last month, Zoe shared profile photos and Instagram Stories showing her slender build. The posts prompted widespread concern among followers and commentators online.
One social media user commented, "Yikes! She looks very thin. I hope she is okay and healthy. Best wishes to her." On Reddit, a user wrote, "Seeing this I actually gasped."
Other commentators posted scandalized reactions to her physique. One user wrote, "My God, I really hope she gets some help. It’s devastating to see this," while another added, "Wow! I hope that’s photoshopped."
Reality Television Comeback and Stylist Career
Zoe returned to reality television a few months ago on the latest season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. During the season, she frankly discussed her fraught divorce from her husband of 26 years, Rodger Berman.
Public scrutiny over her weight dates back to her rise as one of Hollywood's most sought-after stylists in the 1990s and 2000s. Her clientele included top stars such as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Kate Hudson, Mischa Barton, Jennifer Garner, Keira Knightley, and the Backstreet Boys on tour.
In 2009, an episode of her reality series The Rachel Zoe Project focused on her disquiet over criticism of her "pin thin" physique. In one scene, Zoe chose not to wear a backless dress to a party because her vertebrae were visible.
Past Conflict With Nicole Richie
The chatter surrounding her weight peaked in 2006 during a publicized feud with former client Nicole Richie. Although the pair have since mended fences, the fallout generated significant media attention at the time.
During the dispute, Richie posted a blind item on MySpace writing, "What 35 year old raisin face whispers her order of 3 peices of asparagus for dinner at Chateau everynight, and hides her deathly disorder by pointing the finger at me, and used her last paycheck I wrote her to pay for a publisist instead of a nutritionist?"
Addressing the post in an interview with W, Zoe responded, "That's kind of below the belt. I just need to rise above it and let it go." She added, "My teenage drama years were a long time ago, and I certainly don’t want to relive them. I’m 35, and I just don’t want the drama. I’m tired."
Statements on Diet and Industry Scrutiny
Zoe has previously spoken about her relationship with food and dieting. "I’m not going to lie. I don’t eat like a pig. I don’t diet per se, but I’m one of those people that, when I’m under a lot of stress, I have to remind myself to eat," Zoe said.
She maintained her focus on healthy eating habits, stating, "You’re not going to see me eating crap and junk food, because it doesn’t make me feel good. But I eat tons of fish and vegetables. And I would never in a billion years tell anyone to lose weight. Ever."
Zoe also dismissed rumors regarding unverified weight-loss supplements. "There was something that came out about me giving horse pills or diet pills from Mexico to my clients. Anyone who knows me, they laugh. I’m so drug clueless. If I can get through a glass and a half of wine in a night, that’s a momentous occasion," she scoffed.
During the late 2000s, Zoe expressed exasperation at being singled out over body image standards in fashion. "We've had Audrey Hepburn, we've had Twiggy, we've had Veruschka, we've had Kate Moss. I'm trying to figure out why I am to blame for skinniness," she said.
Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, she defended the diverse body types of her clients. "I don't have one client right now who is a size 0. All of my clients have athletic or curvy, healthy bodies," Zoe maintained.
When asked about her personal routine, Zoe acknowledged skipping lunch, calling it "a lull in the day." She noted, "when it's me working on my own, it's 7:00pm, and I've had coffee and a grapefruit."
