Oscar Madness Cont.

Milan Fashion Week was amazing!  We saw many shows, some of which were not shown on the episodes--Fendi, Dolce and Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Dsquared2 ... which were all incredible. I LOVED the Dsquared2 show. it was a majorly theatrical experience and such a treat to finally see one of my favorite designer's show live. The overall experience of being there with Rachel, looking for gowns (and of course having some fun) was great and thank GOD we found the amazing Pucci gown at the Pucci show. We also had luck at Alberta Ferretti --there were a couple of really beautiful gowns in that show that Rachel wanted to get as well. We felt leaving Milan that our mission had been accomplished and that the trip was a success.

The trip would not have been possible for me had it not been for Jordan and Ashley back home in L.A. The two of them had so much on their plates and were extremely busy: the main job we had going on was Anne Hathaway's press and premiere for Alice in Wonderland. Ashley was doing an amazing job. She has a really good eye for what is chic and cool and is also a really dedicated and hard worker. She was waking up at 2 a.m. every night to have conversations with Rachel about the status of the Oscar gowns coming into the studio, as well as the other jobs that were going on in Los Angeles. She really did just jump right in and was willing to do anything to get the job done. If she said something was going to be in the studio or that she was on top of something, I never ever had to follow up with her. I knew it would be there.

When Ashley was initially hired, she was hired on a temporary basis through the Oscars because we wanted to see if we actually needed three assistants or not.  Jordan was a junior assistant at the time Taylor was fired, and we weren't sure if she was going to be able to handle all of the responsibilities that were going to be thrown her way, so we brought in Ashley as well to help with that. When Ashley got sick over the Oscars she was REALLY REALLY ill and we decided to have her stay home because with such a busy weekend coming up we did not want to have other people getting sick. Ashley was still on Blackberry, following up with designers, etc. She was really dedicated! She even came in to the studio while we were fitting Johnny Weir because Roberto Cavalli had called her to tell her that there were some gowns ready for pick-up. At this point, we told her to go back to bed and rest up so that if she was feeling better; she could be with us on the day of the Oscars. I called Ashley on the day of the Oscars and she was still really sick. I felt horrible because I knew what a disappointment this was to her. By this time she had been off for three days and had missed all of the fittings. 

The Oscars went off without one glitch, aside from Demi's dress not being ready until minutes before she left for the red carpet. What we did discover was that we really only need two assistants and since Jordan had been working for Rachel for two years already, that it was only natural that she would become the second assistant. It was nothing against Ashley. We love her and she will always have a place at Rachel Zoe Inc. The truth of the matter is that after the oscars we slowed down a bit and there wasn't enough work to keep three people busy. We asked Ashley to come back in June when I was getting ready to go on a world tour, but she was already booked on another job.

Ashley has now landed a job with a great stylist and is working with some super chic clients. We are still friends and talk on the phone and see each other socially. There is NO drama. She is a hard worker, a great assistant, and a super sweet person with impeccable personal style ... and great hair. 

Johnny Weir ... what is there to say about an Olympic figure skater who constantly pushes the boundaries of fashion on the ice and off? It was such a pleasure getting to work with him over the Oscars. He is so sweet, generous of spirit, and funny. As you can see in the episode we had a lot of fun, which is the way it should be and usually is. When he called me while I was watching the Oscars with Rachel I was more than happy to run down to the studio to grab some more jacket options for him. What a nightmare! Can you imagine being seated at a table with someone who was wearing the exact same outfit as you? Wowza! I am happy to say the situation was fixed, and Johnny and I have remained friends ever since. I consider him one of my "sisters." Love you, Johnny.