Zac Posen: 10 Things You Didn’t Know

The fashion industry is an exciting world where designers bring together art, innovation, and creativity to push the boundaries of clothing and accessories. The minds of these designers are responsible for new trends and styles, often leading the way for more open-minded and accepting cultural attitudes. However, they are most often mentioned when high-profile events are featured in the media. As actors, musicians, and other celebrities rely on designers for their red carpet looks, these designers gain from the popularity of their clients.

One such designer is Zac Posen. Famous around the world for his incredibly popular clothing lines, Posen is also well known for his popularity among the biggest stars in the world today. His fashion career has seen a meteoric rise, and he has been hired to design lines for some of the most popular brands in the US. Most recently, Posen has made headlines with his innovative dress designed for Claire Danes at the 2016 Met Gala. This pale blue piece was interwoven with fiber-optic lights, giving it a futuristic glow. Even among the stars attending the gala, this dress stood out from the crowd.

While Posen is a towering figure in the world of design and has worked with many notable A-list stars, many people do not know him aside from his work. His story is an inspiring one, and his personal life is perhaps as interesting as his designs. Here are ten of the most interesting facts about Zac Posen.

10. He is one of the most popular designers among celebrities

To say that Posen is popular with stars would be a massive understatement. His incredible work has made him a favorite of many of the world’s most popular actresses and musicians. This includes such stars as Beyonce, Natalie Portman, Rihanna, and Cameron Diaz. From the Emmys to the AMAs to the Academy Awards, Posen’s work can be seen prominently on just about every major red carpet event.

9. He has formal training

While becoming such a massively successful fashion designer certainly indicates that Posen possesses considerable natural talent, he has also dedicated a great deal of time and effort into improving his craft. This included studying at the Parson’s School of Design at age 16, and the Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London. In his early years, he was mentored by the esteemed designer Nicole Miller.

8. He has brought his skills to television

While the bulk of Posen’s work has taken place behind the scenes, designing pieces for stars at high-profile events and crafting lines for chains like Target, one of his most notable jobs was on television. In 2011, he was hired as a judge for the popular fashion show Project Runway. Undoubtedly, fans and contestants alike were given a great treat when such a talented figure as Posen was featured on the show.

7. Zac Posen Net Worth

With his career seeing remarkable popularity both in the world of high fashion and in retail, it is no surprise that Posen is well-off. Current estimates have his net worth at approximately $30 million. This incredible personal fortune is owed to the diverse career paths he has taken. From designing clothes for celebrities to creating lines for massive brands to appearing on television, Posen has been successful in every venture he has taken. With his glowing dress making waves at the 2016 Met Gala, it is clear that his career and net worth will only continue to improve in coming years.

6. He knew fashion was his passion at a young age

Many people require years of trial and error before finding the right career. For a lucky few, like Posen, a passion emerges in their youth. Posen has stated that he was always playing with fabric as a child, and he knew from a young age that he had a distinct style and fashion sense. In addition to his interests, Posen also had some very talented and artistic childhood friends. Growing up, he was neighbors with Claire Danes, with whom he would work on several occasions.

5. He has created uniform lines

Although Posen is best known for his Hollywood works and popular lines in retailers, he has also ventured outside of these areas. One of his current projects is designing the upcoming uniforms for Delta Air Lines. His uniforms will be worn by all 60,000 employees of the company, from flight attendants to customer service. The uniform line is set to be introduced in 2017.

4. His big break came at age 20

Posen is famous not only for his incredible work, but also for his quick rise to fame and fortune. The designer was only 20 years of age when he became immensely popular with high-profile stars. A 20 year-old Posen was lucky enough to design a dress for Naomi Campbell. This dress became very popular among other actresses, which led to further high-profile jobs for the young designer.

3. He is in a committed relationship

Posen may live in an exciting world of actors, musicians, and media, but he has managed to maintain a stable relationship through it all. He and boyfriend Christian Niquet have been together since 2008. The two live together in SoHo and have three dogs.

2. He taught Ashley Olsen

While most of his connections to the stars are through the pieces he designs for them, one relationship with a popular actress is quite different. Ashley Olsen is famous not only for her acting, but also for her fashion lines. A large part of her success can be attributed to Posen, as she interned with him in 2005. This internship took place while Olsen studied at The Gallatin School of Individualized Study, part of New York University.

While it may be strange to think about, even a massively successful designer like Posen had humble beginnings. Before reaching the status and wealth that he has today, Posen set up a workshop in his parents’ home. Further, he was only able to become such a success with the support of his family. His mother gave up a successful law practice in order to manage Posen’s business affairs, and his sister worked as the company’s creative director. While his talent and work ethic account for most of his success, he has at times depended on the support of his family.