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Joe Zee

Sundance Channel to examine luxury with fashion expert Joe Zee

Article: Sundance Channel to examine luxury with fashion expert Joe Zee

Posted August 27th, 2013, 12:08 PM by

New York, NY – August 27, 2013 –Sundance Channel takes a fresh look at the fashion industry in four all-new specials featuring ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee, beginning with REVEALING: EXTRAVAGANCE, airing Friday, September 20th at 10 pm ET/PT. In the first installment, Zee examines how an obsession with luxury has become an addiction for modern society. Through a compelling and in-depth investigation of a real life Bling Ring, a gang of high-end thieves (‘The Rainbow Girls’), insider interviews and consumer experiments, Zee uncovers what our fixation with luxury brands means.

Accessorized with commentary from a high-end list of fashion contributors including: model, actress and entrepreneur Iman; fashion designers Zac Posen, Narciso Rodriguez and Carolina Herrera; Editorial Director of nymag.com’s The Cut Stella Bugbee; models Kiara Kabukuru, China Machado and Andrej Pejic; historians David Eisenbach and Valerie Steele; psychologist April Benson; and luxury market expert Pamela Danziger, the first hour-long special stages three amusing yet revealing social experiments that place subjects at the mercy of luxury items and exposes their impact both physically and emotionally.

Don’t miss the ALL ON THE LINE live Twitter chat tonight!

Article: Don’t miss the ALL ON THE LINE live Twitter chat tonight!

Posted September 17th, 2012, 12:09 PM by

What’s the best way to watch tonight’s episode of ALL ON THE LINE? With the fashion experts behind the show, of course! As you’re watching on Sundance Channel tonight at 9P, log onto our live Twitter chat with ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee (@JMrJoeZee) and Us Weekly Fashion Director Sasha Charnin Morrison (@SashaCharnin). Or if you’re already in Twitterland, follow #WatchwithUs to ask questions, interact with the experts and get the behind-the-scenes scoop.

What to watch on Sundance tonight: ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE is back!

Article: What to watch on Sundance tonight: ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE is back!

Posted September 10th, 2012, 2:09 PM by

Fashion guru and ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee is back in action this week for a new season of fashion rehab in ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, premiering tonight at 9P on Sundance Channel. This week, Joe has his hands full when he agrees to help struggling menswear line Unruly Heir. After initially hitting it big with their outlaw prep style, partners Joey and John partied away their profits instead of investing in quality and professionalism. Joe Zee throws them a lifeline when he has them design a tuxedo for Mario Lopez to wear during Extra’s coverage of the Emmys. But will their lack of preparation and finishing turn this opportunity from red carpet to black eye?

Joe Zee takes New York by storm for ALL ON THE LINE

Article: Joe Zee takes New York by storm for ALL ON THE LINE

Posted September 07th, 2012, 3:09 PM by

Yesterday was a whirlwind day for the star of Sundance Channel’s ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE! First he appeared on Good Morning America to help unveil the new look created for anchor Lara Spencer by designer Prajje Jean-Baptiste — and share a sneak peek of the upcoming episode in which Prajje is featured.

Casting designers for season 3 of ALL ON THE LINE!

Article: Casting designers for season 3 of ALL ON THE LINE!

Posted February 21st, 2012, 11:02 AM by

Joe Zee – Creative Director for ELLE – is not only one step ahead of the trends…he defines them. Now, Joe is using his style smarts and eye for detail to guide struggling fashion designers back on the road to success. With insider savvy, a positive spirit, and a double dose of tough love, Joe inspires these struggling designers to rekindle their creative fire before their line goes down in flames.

Sundance Channel greenlights third season of fashion series ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE

Article: Sundance Channel greenlights third season of fashion series ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE

Posted January 17th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

Sundance Channel announced today it is renewing its hit fashion-rescue series ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE for a third season. Starring Creative Director of ELLE Joe Zee, the series exposes viewers to the intense behind-the-scenes world of fashion design. In each episode, Zee encounters the challenging task of working with new designers—all in desperate need of help resuscitating their fashion line and protecting their livelihood. Season three of the series will include an all new set of struggling designers who will look to Zee protect their creative vision while helping them achieve commercial success. Not all designers will be up for the challenge of accepting Zee’s opinions, causing tension and sparking emotion. With this series, there are no guaranteed happy endings.

Joe Zee on Cesar Galindo

Article: Joe Zee on Cesar Galindo

Posted December 25th, 2011, 8:12 PM by


His Challenge: I have known Cesar in and around the fashion industry for years. He’s a veteran designer and we have many mutual friends in common and you can’t be in this industry as long as we have and not be acquainted. However, I don’t know Cesar well at all, so going up to see him for the first time in this aspect was exciting – and daunting.

Joe Zee on Kathy and Erik Wilson:

Article: Joe Zee on Kathy and Erik Wilson:

Posted December 10th, 2011, 10:12 AM by


Their Challenge: When I first met husband and wife design team, Kathy and Erik Wilson of Kathy Wilson Atelier, it was very clear who wore the pants in that design family. Erik, a law student, ex-Marine and devoted husband, was loyally standing by his designing wife as she explained enthusiastically to me her concepts behind their men’s and women’s collections.

Joe Zee on Qristyl Frazier

Article: Joe Zee on Qristyl Frazier

Posted December 08th, 2011, 12:12 PM by


Her Challenge: Qristyl Frazier dubbed her plus-size collection “Plus Sexy” and in the world of fashion, we can definitely use more fashion-worthy plus size collections. This has been a market that I personally feel has been underserved with great fashionable options in recent years and Qristyl had the opportunity to step in there and be an integral part of that budding industry.

Joe Zee dishes: How-to Fall style tips, where he shops & his favorite thing to eat between two buns

Article: Joe Zee dishes: How-to Fall style tips, where he shops & his favorite thing to eat between two buns

Posted December 01st, 2011, 11:12 AM by

Watch All on the Line with Joe Zee, Fridays at 9:30pm.
From NBC San Diego:
A week before the season premiere of his show “All on the Line,” the dashing and always gracious Joe Zee took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about food, fashion… and well, more food. As creative director at Elle magazine and now host of his own show, our favorite fashion guy is always on the go, but still has time to fit in his favorite shopping spots and restaurants on both coasts. Find out how Mr. Zee spends his time outside of his kushy midtown office. And, don’t think we let him go without getting just a few style tips.

You’re a busy busy man – how’s life these days? How do you juggle it all?
Two incredible assistants, my Blackberry, Entourage and no sleep.

Have you enjoyed the Hearst cafeteria sushi station in your new digs yet? (And, by the way, have you noticed that all the mirrors in the Hearst Tower make you look great!?)
My first lunch before we even merged with Hearst was with my friend Annebet, an editor from Seventeen magazine and we indulged at the sushi station and it was amazing. In fact, I remember tweeting my lunch experience and a fellow tweeter even wrote back suggesting I…

Beyond reality TV: Getting to know the real Joe Zee

Article: Beyond reality TV: Getting to know the real Joe Zee

Posted November 28th, 2011, 11:11 AM by

Watch All on the Line with Joe Zee, Fridays at 9:30pm.
Now that you’ve seen episode one (or see the rebroadcast schedule if you missed it) of what proves to be a very ‘real’ season of All on the Line with Joe Zee (don’t be sad, there are happy endings ahead!), get to know the fashion guru himself, the man behind the big fancy Elle Magazine desk. Joe Zee dishes on his “naughty” childhood and how he survived his days as a starving college student to “work his way into fashion’s pantheon.”

Here’s what Luaine Lee had to say about Joe Zee in “Fashion Guru Joe Zee learned almost everything on the job.”..

Joe Zee & Designer Angelo Lambrou

Article: Joe Zee & Designer Angelo Lambrou

Posted November 26th, 2011, 11:11 AM by


His Challenge: Angelo was an interesting designer. He had earned his fame, almost overnight, designing the pageant gowns for Miss Universe.  And then Angelo was smart to quickly translate that notoriety into a custom eveningwear and bridal business where he eventually, opened a small shop in the East Village area of Manhattan, gaining success in that world. But when he tried his hand at doing a contemporary ready-to-wear collection, it was a different story.

No more Mr. Nice Guy: A sneak peek at Joe Zee’s first episode of All on the Line

Article: No more Mr. Nice Guy: A sneak peek at Joe Zee’s first episode of All on the Line

Posted November 25th, 2011, 11:11 AM by

All on the Line with Joe, season 2 premieres Friday, November 25th at 9:30pm.
From NBC’s ThreadNY:
Fashion doesn’t always have a fairytale ending – a point being emphasized on the second season of Elle creative director Joe Zee’s All On The Line, premiering on the Sundance Channel November 25th. On each episode Zee works with one designer to help get their businesses back on track. In the premiere episode, Zee is tasked with counseling Angelo Lambrou – an East Village-based designer who has found success in the bridal market but has struggled to create a viable ready-to-wear business.

Zee tells us, “I want people to realize how hard everybody has to work to make it. That’s what’s really exciting about this show…

Joe Zee on reality stars – and on becoming one himself

Article: Joe Zee on reality stars – and on becoming one himself

Posted November 24th, 2011, 11:11 AM by

All on the Line with Joe premieres Friday, November 25th at 9:30pm.
From The Huffington Post:
“Joe Zee Talks ELLE, Says Snooki Will Never Land Cover”

These days you can’t go anywhere without seeing or hearing about the cast of “Jersey Shore.” But one place you won’t see Snooki is on the cover of Elle magazine.

“I don’t know about Snooki. I’m going to have to pass on that one,” the creative director Joe Zee told me when I asked him if reality stars would ever grace his coveted cover. “We put Lauren Conrad on the cover of our anniversary issue and she did very well. Listen, Kim [Kardashian] is a big cover star out there and if Kim had something going on in her life right now — Kim’s very quiet — I just wish that she would do something, but she’s not doing anything. If she actually did something, we would actually think about Kim for the cover. It’s about new. It’s not about, so much, a reality star. The idea is, are they newsworthy? Is it someone our readers want to read about?”

According to Joe, there is one cover girl who’s always newsworthy…

Hang it All on the Line for a Good Cause

Article: Hang it All on the Line for a Good Cause

Posted November 23rd, 2011, 2:11 PM by

It’s getting cold out there! Help those in need stay warm this winter by donating a coat to New York Cares at Bloomingdale’s. New York Cares is teaming up with fashion mogul Joe Zee to collect coats and celebrate the all new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE. Donations will be accepted…

The stars abound on season two of All on the Line with Joe Zee

Article: The stars abound on season two of All on the Line with Joe Zee

Posted November 23rd, 2011, 11:11 AM by

Joe Zee gives Nicole Miller some advice in season two of All on the Line.
Joe Zee, Creative Director for ELLE, is always one step ahead of the trends. Now, Joe is using his style smarts and eye for detail to guide struggling fashion designers back on the road to success. With insider savvy, a positive spirit and a double dose of tough love, Joe inspires these listless labels to rekindle their creative fire and stay true to who they are. This just may be their last chance to transform cutting room concepts into rack ready fashions. With a make or break presentation to a buyer looming, it’s ALL ON THE LINE. Returning slightly altered, this season Zee will enlist the help of some of his industry friends including American fashion designer, Rachel Roy, socialite and fashion trendsetter, Olivia Palermo, rock musician Adam Lambert, Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka and model and actress Veronica Webb, to help judge the designer’s ability. Each label will be put to the challenge when Zee asks the team to design quickly and outside of their comfort zones for one of these celebrities, who may or may not be typical of the label’s core clientele.

Personally, I’m looking forward to the episode with guest judge Olivia Palermo, who’s style blog has inspired girl crushes worldwide, and Rachel Roy, who’s closet I would kill to raid. Thefashionspot has its eye on Nicole Miller, proving that even established industry names need some help every once in a while. Miller, whose focused, hard-edged elegance wasn’t attracting enough celebs or style bloggers, enlisted Joe’s help to add some youthful flair to her latest collection…

The top ten biggest offenders from AOTL with Joe Zee, season one

Article: The top ten biggest offenders from AOTL with Joe Zee, season one

Posted November 22nd, 2011, 11:11 AM by

With everyone in a serious tizzy over the Friday night premiere of season two of All on the Line with Joe Zee, I realize that some readers may not have caught the epic dose of reality that was season one. Luckily, you can watch the entire season on iTunes for $20.What else are you going to do this week in between bouts of turkey-induced stupor? And watching Joe dole out tough love to struggling designers is as addictive as tryptophan is soporific. I got a sneak peek of season two last week and I’m dying to see the rest of the designers that get sent under the gauntlet…

Joe Zee’s Fashion-Rescue Series Returns to Sundance Channel with New Labels and New Buyers!

Article: Joe Zee’s Fashion-Rescue Series Returns to Sundance Channel with New Labels and New Buyers!

Posted September 14th, 2011, 5:09 PM by

JOE ZEE’S FASHION-RESCUE SERIES RETURNS TO SUNDANCE CHANNEL WITH NEW LABELS AND NEW BUYERS

Nicole Miller Among the Designers Seeking Zee’s Help in Season Two of “All On The Line with Joe Zee” Premiering November 25th

Guest Stars This Season Include; American Fashion Designer, Rachel Roy, Socialite and Fashion Trendsetter, Olivia Palermo, Rock Musician Adam Lambert, Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka and Model, Veronica Webb

New York, September 23, 2011 – Sundance Channel is putting a new group of designers through fashion rehab in season two of the critically-acclaimed series, ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE. Starting Friday, November 25th at 9:30pm et/pt, Creative Director of ELLE Joe Zee, who The New York Times deems, ‘Fashion’s approachable ambassador,’ will come to the rescue of designers in need of a makeover on their business, design or both in what The Huffington Post called a “must-see” show. Among the designers featured in the upcoming season, is modern-day fashion legend, Nicole Miller, who will work with Zee to launch her newest line at New York Fashion Week 2011.

Returning slightly altered, this season Zee will enlist the help of some of his industry friends including American fashion designer, Rachel Roy, socialite and fashion trendsetter, Olivia Palermo, rock musician Adam Lambert, Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka and model and actress Veronica Webb, to help judge the designer’s ability. Each label will be put to the challenge when Zee asks the team to design quickly and outside of their comfort zones for one of these celebrities, who may or may not be typical of the label’s core clientele.

ALL ON THE LINE casting call

Article: ALL ON THE LINE casting call

Posted June 06th, 2011, 4:06 PM by

Just in case you didn’t get the memo, SUNDANCE CHANNEL announced its renewal of the hit original series ALL ON THE LINE, hosted by Joe Zee! Exciting…we know.

It's a Wrap — See you in November.

Article: It's a Wrap — See you in November.

Posted May 25th, 2011, 12:05 PM by

I will admit that I am feeling extra sentimental lately. Yes, because ALL ON THE LINE wrapped its first season but it’s also most likely because I spoke at the commencement ceremonies of the Fashion Institute of Technology, my alma mater, recently. At the graduation festivities I concluded with the turning of the tassels and my parting words of inspiration, motivation and passion. Or at least I hope I did. I told the class of 2011, this was not the end of school. No, in fact, the learning will continue — for the rest of their lives. And I’m speaking from experience. Life education doesn’t end when the instructors have packed their papers and gone home. No, instead, their methods and reasoning will hopefully live on in everything you do. I wasn’t inspired by every instructor I ever had, but the ones that did affect me, stayed with me.

And in some ways, my personal success is a testament to them.

Cut to the AOTL designers.

Sundance Channel Sews Up Another Season of Joe Zee Fashion Series ALL ON THE LINE

Article: Sundance Channel Sews Up Another Season of Joe Zee Fashion Series ALL ON THE LINE

Posted May 24th, 2011, 3:05 PM by

BEGINNING NOVEMBER 2011

Original Series Starring Creative Director of Elle Joe Zee
Will Conclude its First Season on May 24th
New York, May 24, 2011 – Sundance Channel announced the renewal of ALL ON THE LINE, the fashion-rescue series starring Creative Director of ELLE Joe Zee. The series wraps its first run on Tuesday, May 24th at 10:00PM ET/PT.

Since the series premiered in March, Sundance Channel has exposed viewers to the always intense and not so glamorous, behind-the-scenes world of fashion designing. Behind the glamour of the red carpet are tears, hard work and passionate designers struggling to shine in a world of hopefuls. In the second season, Zee will be faced with the daunting task of working with a new group of designers with the same problem; a glitch in their design or business that is putting them at risk of losing it all. He hopes to encourage designers to stay true to their vision, while recognizing when their design or business plan is standing in the way of their commercial success. Feeling like experts in their own right, not all of the designers will be up for the challenge of accepting Zee’s constructive criticism, causing tension and sparking emotion.

Sundance Channel EVP and GM Sarah Barnett commented, “ALL ON THE LINE stands out among fashion programs because it’s based in the real world, with real stakes and real results. Viewers have embraced this authenticity, are enamored with the unpretentious fashion genius Joe Zee and look forward to seeing him back in action.”

Don’t Miss Your Chance at this $2,500 Gift Certificate!

Article: Don’t Miss Your Chance at this $2,500 Gift Certificate!

Posted May 20th, 2011, 10:05 AM by

The season finale of ALL ON THE LINE airs May 24th at 10p! Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite designer for a chance to win a $2,500 gift certificate from Rent the Runway. Click here to check out each designer’s collection and register for your chance to win. The designer with the…

Episode Recap – Julia Alarcon – Too Pricey for Nordstrom

Article: Episode Recap – Julia Alarcon – Too Pricey for Nordstrom

Posted May 18th, 2011, 10:05 AM by

I said it to Dana-Maxx, I said it to Leila Shams, and I said it to Julia Alarcon. There will always be something special about a woman designer designing for other women. There’s that innate, intangible quality of understanding what exactly another woman wants. With Julia, I felt she had a double advantage. She also – after starting Act 2 as a designer in her 40′s – had the advantage of her maturity.

Julia wasn’t a kid figuring out her life. Sure, she shared a lot of the same woes (freshly graduated, struggling to keep her business afloat, building accounts) but she was never wishy-washy in her approach. Her life was mapped out; she knew exactly what she should be doing and designing was it. This was a quality I would come to admire greatly in her but be equally frustrated by at the same time. She was so aware of what she wanted her collection to be, what it should cost (most of the time, too much), and who should wear it. Even during the times we disagreed, Julia, always courteous and polite, stood by her designs and her convictions.

Which may not have had quite outcome I had hoped for.

It’s Like a Weird Freaky Friday Moment. Tonight at 10p.

Article: It’s Like a Weird Freaky Friday Moment. Tonight at 10p.

Posted May 17th, 2011, 4:05 PM by

In an effort to not date myself, one of my all-time favorite movies is the Mike Nichols-directed WORKING GIRL with Sigourney Weaver and Melanie Griffith. For me, it reeked of all the right elements: money, power, New York skyscrapers, sharp dialogue, good humor, strong women. It was all about big furs, big breaks and big perms and I loved it.

My favorite scene (duh! of course!) was when Tess McGill (Melanie’s character) had the run of Katherine Parker’s (Sigourney) closet after assuming her identity. The minute she threw open those closet doors you could smell the authority. There it all was: a lady in charge as embodied by a closet full of chic gowns, lush furs, immaculately tailored pantsuits and pencil skirts. You wanted to rummage and try everything on as much as Tess did because like Tess, these weren’t just clothes. No, it was more than that. It was the symbol of that ultimate chic working woman.

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