He has dressed first ladies, music stars and Hollywood royalty, but last night Zac Posen announced that he was calling it quits.
The fashion designer, a red-carpet favourite for the best part of two decades, famed for his figure-hugging gowns, said he was “deeply saddened” that the company could not continue operations, citing an increasingly challenging fashion and retail landscape.
In a statement, he explained that: “"The management team ... worked extremely hard to navigate the increasingly challenging fashion and retail landscape. We are disappointed that these efforts have not been successful."
A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Posen propagated an aesthetic that harked back to the glamour of old Hollywood, and quickly gained a following among A-listers, dressing the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet, Naomi Campbell, Rihanna and Katie Holmes.
Among his many memorable looks was a nude mermaid-like gown worn by Gwyneth Paltrow for the Oscars in 2007, an off-the-shoulder gown with a brightly sequined skirt donned by Oprah Winfrey at the Oscars in 2011, and a Cinderella-inspired dress fitted with fibre optics that lit up in the dark, worn by Claire Danes at the 2016 Met Gala. He designed the blush-toned wedding reception gown that Princess Eugenie wore for her 2018 nuptials, and in 2015, decked Michelle Obama in a shiny silver-grey belted dress for the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
On Instagram last night, he posted a picture with his team, with a caption that read: “I want to express my appreciation to our extraordinary team and for all those who have stood by me and the brand. I owe a great deal of gratitude for their unwavering support for and dedication to the Company. I am grateful to the team who lent their incomparable talent and commitment along the way. I remain incredibly proud of what we created and hopeful for the future. Love ZP.”
