Mother, mogul and CFDA Member Rachel Zoe partnered with fabric conditioner brand Downy to educate fellow designers and consumers about how to better care for their clothes at home. Zoe was so inspired by the collaboration that four looks in her fall 2016 presentation were washable. CFDA.com touched base with the designer about the new partnership and ways to change the conversation and give washable fabrics the luxurious connotation they deserve.
CFDA.com: What was the most surprising finding during your time at Downy?
Rachel Zoe: “After visiting Downy headquarters, I was surprised to learn that some fabrics I believed to be dry clean only can actually be hand-washed and cared for at home. The key is caring for these pieces properly by following the wash instructions on the care tag, using a mild detergent and adding a Fabric Conditioner like Downy, which helps protect against stretching, fading and fuzzing.”
CFDA.com: How will washable technology translate into your collections to come?
RZ: “As an entrepreneur and first and foremost, a mother of two boys, my life is a constant balancing act, which is true of many women in the workforce today. That being said, I love the idea of having staple pieces in your wardrobe that are easy to care for in the convenience of your own home. Learning more about how to properly care for washable fabrics has truly inspired me to incorporate more hand-washable looks into my own line as well.”
CFDA.com: What would be your message to other designers when they are hesitant to work with washable fabrics?
RZ: “There are many innovative ways designers can incorporate washable pieces into their designs. I think the first step is to really become educated in the field and understand the proper practices of fabric care. Being mindful that customers should also have the option to care for their investment pieces conveniently and effortlessly is important to consider in the design process as well. There’s something to be said about allowing that opportunity for women to properly care for their garments in the convenience of their own home—I think Downy really helps make that achievable.”
CFDA.com: How do you think we can change the conversation to give washable fabrics a luxurious connotation?
RZ: “For me, luxury is that immediate feeling of empowerment when arriving at a one-of-a-kind destination or putting on your favorite coat or pair of shoes. It can come in many forms and produce the same feeling—that you are the best version of yourself. As a designer and CEO, the mission for my brand is really to inspire our audience and customers to live a life in style through everyday glamour. That being said, isn’t it a no-brainer that throwing on your favorite gorgeous hand-washable cashmere or silk maxi is everything that luxury stands for?”
