Essie Appoints Rachel Zoe Its First-Ever Chief Color Director

As Chief Color Director, Zoe will bring her sharp eye to how essie's iconic shades show up across fashion and culture.

April 13, 2026

Assistant Editor

Essie is tapping Rachel Zoe as its first-ever Chief Color Director, marking a new chapter as the iconic brand continues to define how color shows up across style and culture.

Zoe will bring a fresh, stylist-led perspective to essie, extending the role of color beyond the nail, elevating how the brand connects with its community.

Zoe Housman, VP Marketing, Brand Engagement & Strategic Projects, L’Oréal USA, said,

“Some people speak French, Rachel speaks Mademoiselle. Rachel has an unparalleled ability to build community and spark trending obsessions. We are thrilled to have her translate essie’s color in such an unexpected, emotional way, marking a bold step forward as we steward our iconic shades into the modern era and redefine the language of color.”

Zoe is a natural fit for essie’s “Cheeky Luxury” era, the brand’s bold new evolution, positioning polish at the intersection of expert craftsmanship and playful self-expression.

As Chief Color Director, Zoe will bring her sharp eye to how essie’s iconic shades show up across fashion and culture.

Through curated events, original content, personal stories, and real-time cultural commentary, she’ll help essie show up in all the right places.

Last night, Zoe was spotted at her pre-Coachella dinner in a head-to-toe “Marshmallow” – outfit and manicure included – layered with essie’s Nail Art Studio Special Effects in Cosmic Chrome.

As the inaugural partner in a collective of color authorities, Zoe will also serve as the founding voice of essie’s new Shade Society – a collective of tastemakers, creatives, and cultural voices coming together to celebrate color across fashion, film, interiors, and beyond.

This signals a new era of storytelling for the brand in the broader context of its global evolution.