New York Girl Style

TV personality, Executive Producer of E!’s “Fashion Police,” and “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?” co-host Melissa Rivers has turned clothing designer. She decided to team up with online retailer giant Zappos and is the first celebrity to co-brand for the company’s private label, The Cool People. Made up of simple yet fashion conscious pieces, the S/S 2012 collection was inspired by Melissa’s desire to create apparel that easily fits into a woman’s everyday wardrobe and hectic lifestyle.

With unbeatable price points ranging from $59-$129, a percentage of sales from Melissa Rivers for The Cool People line goes toward her chosen charity, the WaterKeepers. She says, “The WaterKeeper Alliance is a fantastic organization to me because protecting water, our most precious natural resource, is of the utmost importance to our future. Clean water is a fundamental right that all human beings should have.”

NYGS Style Editor Kanika Chadda and Melissa Rivers at the launch.

I attended the launch for Melissa’s new clothing line for Zappos in NYC and got her to do a little Q & A for New York Girl Style:

NYGS: Congrats on the line – we love the spring collection! Is it true that the designers came to your house and used items from your closet as inspiration?

MR: Actually, it was the manufacturers who represent Zappos who came over and went through my closet. Since I’m co-branding, I wanted to make sure that the line stayed true to my personal style. They took out a few pieces that we all agreed on and generated samples from them. And the final product is what you see here. 

NYGS: That brings me to our next question. How would you describe your personal style?

MR: I’d say my personal style is California chic with elements of tomboy and sophistication. Wearability is key. I know there are tons of moms out there who live in yoga pants and there are others who end up wearing spanx, dresses, and uncomfortable heels all day. It’s all about balance. Having to cover so many red carpet events, I do have to get all dolled up often so during my day-to-day, I like to keep it simple and chic.

NYGS: What sets your line apart from the rest?

MR: Each item is so unique and is a statement piece all its own and you’re able to mix and match and wear them to a variety of occasions. For instance, you could wear the Jaimie dress ($65) to work with a pair of nude pumps and a blazer, and then dress it up  for cocktails after work by wearing it by itself and adding a chunky necklace. If you travel a lot like me and live in and out of a suitcase, you can bring along a pair of Lola shorts ($55) which you could wear with a comfortable pair of sandals and a simple white tee while you’re out during the day, and change into a sheer blouse and statement heels when you’re going to dinner. This line will cut your packing down to half.

NYGS: So who are some of the designers who inspire you?

MR: I love so many of them but if I had to narrow it down, I’d have to say Michael Kors, Victoria Bekham, Vince Camuto, Stella McCartney, and Chloé.

NGYS: Did your mom, Joan Rivers, help you through the designing process?

MR: I get my mother’s opinion whether I want it or not. I call it white noise. (She laughs). No, she’s great, and I respect her taste and preferences so she did help me through it and gave me her approval on the final collection.

NYGS: How would you describe the essence of a New York girl’s style?

MR: Smart, chic, annoyingly put together at times so if you try to copy it at home, you’ll look you’re trying. (She laughs). You can’t replicate New York. 

NYGS: What’s a motto that you live by? 

MR: “This too shall pass.” It goes both ways. Whether you’re on an up in your life and are riding high and need to come back down to earth, or if you’re going through a rut and need to realize that you will get through it. 

NYGS: Thanks Melissa. The Cool People couldn’t have chosen a cooler designer to collaborate with. 

MR: Thank you all!