Zac Posen Biography 

In the fast paced, competitive world of fashion design, there are a boundless number of hopefuls clambering for the industry’s attention. Very few, however, are innovative, talented, and unique enough to warrant that attention. Fashion newcomer Zac Posen has proved to be one of the lucky few.

Zachary E Posen, known professionally as Zac Posen, was born October 24, 1980 in New York City, New York. He was educated at Saint Ann’s School and studied design specifically at Central Saint Martins located in London. It was at these two schools that Posen discovered and honed his unique fashion vision.

When he was only sixteen years old, he worked at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute. He interned under Richard Martin and followed with another internship with one of the most recognizable names in women’s high end career wear, Nicole Miller. He capped off his experience with a job at the women’s boutique, Tocca.

Afforded a unique and exciting opportunity, Posen’s work was displayed at the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion show.

Earning recognition at every turn, Posen’s designs were soon sported by some of the most notoriously well-dressed actresses today such as Demi Moore, Claire Danes, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Liv Tyler. He has also been seen on Sophia Dahl and Paz de la Huerta.

He is also close, personal friends with Natalie Portman, and she is often seen wearing outfits Posen has designed with her specifically in mind.

In 2004, Posen’s award shelf earned another bauble. This time around, it was the prestigious CDFA Swarovski-Perry Ellis Award for Ready to Wear. It came on the heels of his first runway presentation.

By 2005, Posen’s smart designs and incredible business savvy coupled together to earn his lines a place in many major high end stores. The following year, he earned his greatest honor yet. Noted fashion historian, Didier Ludot, chose his designs to be on display at the Palais Royal for one of the biggest events of the fashion year—Fashion Week in Paris.

Branching out in his creative endeavors, Posen worked on the 2003 film Bringing Rain. Not surprisingly, he was in charge of costume design. His work was sported by the film’s stars, including Adrian Grenier, Merritt Wever, Alexis Dziena, and others.

In 2006, he lent his creative talents to the popular reality series Project Runway. He worked beside supermodel Heidi Klum, super designer Michael Kors, and super fashion expert Tim Gunn.

He was also briefly featured in the documentary about up and coming designers entitled Seamless. The film also featured appearances by Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Liev Schreiber, Parker Posey, and Diddy (billed as Sean “P Diddy” Combs).

From a creative family, Posen’s father, Stephen, is a painter. Posen has one sister, Alexandra Posen, creative director of his clothing line Outspoke LLC.

He is currently in a relationship with interior decorator Brian Callahan.