Zabars Heiress Makes Leap From Lox To Vintage Couture
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Rachel Zabar has gone from serving up caviar at her family’s famous Upper West Side grocery store to selling vintage clothes to the stars.
That’s according to a Sunday profile in The New York Times that takes a look at the Jewish grocery store heiress’ masterful move into the competitive world of second-hand clothes dealing.
“We had a family friend who was a designer, and she used to take me to the flea markets when I was nine or 10,” Zabar told the Times, discussing her early interest in fashion.
“I started wearing the treasures I found. I’m talking stripes and flowers and rows of pearls and a weird hat. If my mom told me I couldn’t wear anything to school, there would be tantrums and screaming.”
As the piece recalls, there was a long road to success, with stints in other areas of the arts – like photography and documentary making – having failed.
But living in Los Angeles, she has stumbled on success peddling vintage clothes and accoutrements to stars, including Rihanna and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
