Wonder if any of you saw the premier of Bravo's The Rachel Zoe Project Tuesday night? After catching the series sneak preview a few weeks ago, I knew I had to give the first show a watch. I want to say straight away, that usually when I do my TIVO, wine, and line drawings, I spend about 15 to 30 minutes on each sketch. But as I watched this collection of mostly unlikable people, I decided to spend no more than five minutes on each depiction. That's all I could take.
Meet Rachel Zoe:
The show follows the styling phenom Rachel Zoe as she expands her business into designing products: her signature sunglasses, bags, denim, etc. When expressing her like of something, she'll say, "I die!" I take that as some sort of short handed- catch phrase for it's to die for. She also will say right.... right....right.... right.... right.... right as others are talking to her. As I watched the show though it seemed more like some sort of terrible fairy tale where a friendly, sensitive, stylish I'm assuming gay guy named Brad is thrust into an impossible world ruled by two developmentally stunted, monstrous women.
Meet Brad, the hero of this fairy tale.
Again, I only spent five minutes on these sketches so I know they are far from perfect. Brad is an adorable guy who used to work at Vogue where he enjoyed a sense of structure and a job that had clearly defined expectations. Going to work as an assistant for Rachel Zoe, however, Brad found himself in a completely opposite situation. He met the combative, shallow, mean, short tempered, and dim witted Taylor who is Rachel's other assistant.
Meet Taylor:
For those of you who saw The Devil Wears Prada, Taylor is the Emily to Brad's Andrea. I know that the show is highly edited to maximize the drama, but I wonder why Taylor wanted to be portrayed as such a nightmare? Is she deliberately on a quest to be the next Omarosa or is she simply, authentically just a rotten b*tch that can't help herself? She'd yell at Brad for not having done something that she hadn't asked him to do. She'd freaked out when he took initiative and made some phone calls only to find out Taylor had already made those calls. Professional, very professional.
I guess I was motivated to do this posting as many, many, many years ago when I first moved to LA, I worked at an uber trendy- star studded clothing store where most of the employees were just like Taylor and I was the Brad. I hope Brad pulls through and like Andrea from The Devil Wears Prada, he ends up being on top and then walks away. That would be nice to see.
Not sure if I'll keep drawing this show? That may be all I can take.
Each drawing is ink on 5.5" x 8.5" sketchbook paper with a GIANT glass of Cabernet.
If you'd like to see a previous depition of Rachel Zoe, then please click here to see that posting.
If you enjoy looking at my drawings online, the next step would be having one or two or three in your home. Interested? Click on over to my etsy shop and take a gander. And your credit card. :) Much appreciated!
taylor is an evil wench.... and yea i'm going into detail (actually, i'm just copying and pasting from what i wrote on my blog lol).
Taylor is a lunatic. She reminds me of everything I hated about my worst internships. She is impatient, doesn't listen to practical concerns, doesn't explain protocol, doesn't set a proper tone for the company culture, and expects people to read her mind. Yea - she seems to be a well oiled machine when working alone. Where Rachel Zoe is flighty, and driven by passion and aesthetic - Taylor is goal oriented and a work horse.... it's a good partnership. But as soon as Brad as introduced as a new employee, in Taylor's mind, it was like adding an extra cog to an already perfect machine.
That said - she is extremely accomplished and is great as what she does... she is a horrible leader/teacher/team member though. Her buzzphrase is "Be Proactive", which basically means - know what I want from you without anyone telling you.
I feel terrible for Brad, who seems like a guy that is actually rooted in reality. He is new on the job (or was as of January 08) and is completely confused about what is expected of him, which was never made explicitly clear. No one tells him what should be done, then gets pissed at him when it doesn't get done... bad situation to be in. He really can't win.... poor guy.
And the saddest part is that he REALLY seems to love fashion and have impeccable instincts, whereas Taylor seems to just want to get the job done. You can see his eyes light up when he's looking at sample pieces from designers in Rachel Zoe's showroom. Case in point, while Taylor is insisting he work in silence like a 1st grader at Boarding School, Brad spots a stunning Zac Posen gown that he knows would be great for Rachel Zoe's client Joy Bryant... Taylor doesn't want to hear a word of it - but when Rachel comes in to pick options for Joy's fittings, she zeros in on Brad's Zac Posen gown and fawns over it... Brad doesn't make a big deal of his picking it as his favorite, but he's obviously proud of his eye.... the boy has POTENTIAL!!!
Posted by: becca | September 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I can't believe you could sketch these in 5 minutes a pop! I think they turned out great; especially the one of Rachel.
For me, Rachel comes off as pretty likable which really surprised me. She is full of catch phrases: "Shut it down," "Kills it", "Bananas" and of course the one you mentioned "I die." I think she said "Shut it down" at least 6 times last night. But even with all these ridiculous phrases, she seems like a nice person completely obsessed with fashion and a limited vocabulary.
Brad is a total sweetheart and is of course as you pointed out is living in a working nightmare -- hopefully, he will be able to get through Taylor's mean thick head that people should be treated with respect. She just doesn't want to stop and be bothered with training him and lacks any social skills.
Sadly, there are too many Taylors in this world and far too few Brads.
I am already hooked on this show so I hope you continue sketching it --even if you only spend 3 minutes on each sketch:-) I hope you do Rachel's husband next; I think he looks rather boyish.
Posted by: Jenny | September 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Where to begin with Taylor - She has no communication or management skills at all. Somehow, she expects Brad to read her mind and know immediately what projects to pick up. He's not waiting around for her to tell him what to do; she even shuts down communication when he tries to ask her about it.
In all fairness to Taylor, there are a lot of bosses who seem to mirror her lack of social skills, unwilling to take the time to explain something, even it it takes a few seconds less than saying stuff like "I can't be bothered..." Bad boss indeed.
What the hell is up with her hair? So 80's, so messy, and so unattractively unprofessional in the worst way. No style at all.
As for Brad, hopefully he finds his way and place in the fashionista world - hopefully he'll be the one who everyone wants to make them beautiful in the future.
Posted by: shindo | September 11, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Brillant. Love to see your take on the charecters from the "Flipping Out" especially Jeff Lewis.
Posted by: Snarf | September 12, 2008 at 03:07 AM
Ooh, that drawing of Zoe is so spot-on. Her pointy little nose and drooping jowls are mesmerizing. I also watched the preview for this show, and set it to record on my DVR. Haven't watched it yet. I still have a Project Runway to catch up on... Maybe tonight after the kids are in bed and I can polish off my bottle of Shiraz!
Posted by: MamaSarah | September 12, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Oh, Snarf, I would also so love for David to sketch Jeff Lewis and the whole "Flipping Out" gang!! I am so obsessed with that show that I know I would be saying "I die!" over and over again once I saw Gilmore's sketch:-)
Posted by: Jenny | September 12, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I had such a hard time watching this entire show. I have been Brad too!
And I can't stand Taylor. I hope things get more interesting other than, Taylor is no longer Rachel's only child drama.
And I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the rachel drawing. So on!
Posted by: busybee | September 12, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Oh thank god I found you. I just had to hear someone else comment on neanderthal Taylor on the RZ project. What a horrible human being, and I don't care how they edited her. And like others said, reminds me of every narcissistic, stupid person in business with six ounces of power - probably spends a lot of time giving her little speeches in front of her mirror at home. One other thought - all this money, tv cameras on you - noone can get a decent hair style? I had to turn it off - HAD to - even though I was interested in the styling part. I won't ever watch it again - makes those orange county housewives look deep and humanitarian.
Posted by: madamovarypart2.blog-city.com | September 13, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Passive Aggressive was always an adjective until Taylor. Now it is a noun and therefore her picture can be placed next to it in the Dictionary.
Posted by: Jeff | September 13, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Taylor really is as big of a bitch as she's appears on the show. Last summer I interned at a fashion house, and I helped send out clothes to many celebrity stylists, including Rachel Zoe. I also would call the stylists to have them send back clothes that their clients didnt like. When I called a few times to get back a particular dress, Taylor got on the phone and cursed me out! She kept swearing and telling for NO reason, and she made me cry! I am def not a fan...
Posted by: Blu | September 14, 2008 at 02:28 PM
i agree that zoe wasn't nearly as odious as I thought she would be. i guess there's "tay" in the truly obnoxious role. what's the deal with rodger? many things don't seem to fit with him/them. and zoe has shaved almost 10 years of her age. born in '62 not '71
Posted by: procrastinator | September 14, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I'm so behind on my TV viewing since my vacation, but I finally watched this. I have to say I love it. Zoe was far more charming than the blogs had lead me to believe. Especially since she had her "raisin face" resurfaced, filled, and 'toxed. And Brad is a little lamb in a viper pit, but you can tell by the previews he melts Taylor's shriveled heart eventually. Your quick sketches are dead on as usual. A+!
Posted by: DoodleWhore.com | September 15, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Poor Brad, I feel really bad for him. Taylor's hair looks like a rat's nest, wonder if it's a bad weave.
Love the sketches.
Posted by: mzvirgo | September 16, 2008 at 08:45 PM
PLEASE keep sketching this show! That one of Zoe is hysterical! I think u were too kind with Taylor...she personifies the expression pretty on the outside ugly on the inside!!!
PS Draw Rachels hubby next----weird set up--I think he's gay.
Posted by: I_DIE | September 18, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Taylor is such a cunt, i would love to just punch her right in her ugly mouth. She is a nasty waste of a human. and whats up with that hair? pa-lease. and I def think Brad has talent, her husbandrodg , umm yah hes GAY.
Posted by: debbie | September 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
I hate hate hate Taylor!!! She is a miserable bitch!
Posted by: Kirsten | September 24, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Amen! My boyfriend and I have clearly taken sides. He is emotional and identified with Taylor's immature behavior (I believe she is very threatened by Brad). I completely emphasize with Brad--having had a few bossed along the way who expected me to have ESP! Love the illustrations.
Posted by: Anna | September 26, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I am so glad I found you. I just have to get this of my chest. "TAYLOR you're a bitch and deserve to be miserable. You need one serious reality check." Oh and one last thing, "Out of Zoe, Brad and you, your definitely on the bottom end." TaH
Posted by: Caleb | September 30, 2008 at 08:29 PM
I agree about Taylor, but I find Rachel to be a perfect example of conspicuous consumption. In this day and age, how can someone be so self-absorbed to spend thousands of dollar in one shop just for herself. Then she lies to her husband! She needs a good dose of reality. Nobody mentioned poor Roger. He isn't enjoying his life, and Rachel doesn't even see it.
Posted by: McPickle | October 01, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Rachel Zoe is singlehandedly responsible for making the size double 00 the norm in H-wood. She's nothing short of gross. Her face looks like something I slept in, and her equally hideous, but hideous on the INSIDE assistant Taylor needs both anger management classes and some Lithium.
Posted by: Jessica | October 04, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Come on! You guys are dissing TAYLOR? She is the ONLY person with brains (besides poor Rodger) on this show. Just because Brad has an IQ of 10 and can't think for himself why should Taylor do it for him?
Posted by: imagexposed | October 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Taylor is so JEALOUS with Brad he is going to end up on TOP and she is going to be NO WHERE... she is such a ASS...im a bitch and I still wouldn't act like that no life having asshole...TAYLOR sucks..and she needs to go back to school and learn what TEAM means cuz obviously she doesn't know what that mean.
Posted by: Taylorsjealous | October 13, 2008 at 01:46 PM
These sketches are spot on! For someone so obsessed with fashion, Rachel really needs to eat a little more. She's too bug eyed and weird to be a fashion icon. Nothing that a little protein can't fix.
I love your eye for detail and mood!
Dan
Posted by: DG | October 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I love your post. Wow, I'm glad there are more Brads out there. I was a Brad, too, and it seemed there were far too many Taylors ready to yell instead of giving basic direction.
Brad seems like a good guy who truly loves fashion and wants to make it work. He'll make his way. Taylor is that woman at the office that we all know, the one who jumps on the new person because she's afraid they'll threaten her job. But, we don't know her whole story, and maybe she's coming around a little bit.
I think I've been sucked into this show.
Posted by: Natalie | October 14, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Taylor is a pathetic excuse for a human being. What a pig! I like Brad and feel sorry for him having to work with that little sleeze. Brush your hair you ignorant twit.
Posted by: Pam | October 18, 2008 at 11:30 PM
I also really like this show not only I really like fashion but because I was once used to be Brad too. I wish Brad well in his career I hope to be able to see him succeed.
Posted by: jewell | October 21, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Those are great sketches, especially of Rachel Zoe. You are very talented.
The show is nice because you get to learn a little about the styling business in Hollywood. You can sense Rachel Zoe's passion for fashion and her penchant for all good things; she does have great taste and its amazing how she made a successful business out of it. About her appearance, she should put on some weight, being too skinny makes you look very old. Also, I don't like that she wears fur.
Posted by: Laveena | October 23, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I think Rachel comes across as a pretty nice person, and she is dead funny at times, reminds me totally of a friend of mine. Brad I adore, and really want him to do well. Taylor is the quintessential bully, being nasty to Brad because she is insecure.
Posted by: Sam | April 23, 2009 at 11:11 AM
She's definitely NOT 37......it really doesn't matter anyway so why does she lie? I was in first class on a flight from LA to NY, she was sitting across the aisle from me and wow.....I was stunned at how much older she looks in person than on TV and NO, there is no way in hell she's 37. That being said, age is just a number and she should just cop to it....nobody will judge.
Posted by: Jonni | September 21, 2010 at 07:56 PM