In an emotional Instagram post, the American fashion designer Zac Posen has announced he will be shuttering his namesake label House of Z. Posen took to the social media site on Friday to share the news, while Vogue reports the company has already begun the process of disposing of its assets. Known for iconic red carpet looks, Posen was also the creative mastermind behind Delta’s new “passport plum” uniform which debuted in 2018.
“I want to express my appreciation to our extraordinary team and for all those who have stood by me and the brand. I owe a great deal of gratitude for their unwavering support for and dedication to the Company,” the designer said in his post. “I am grateful to the team who lent their incomparable talent and commitment along the way. I remain incredibly proud of what we created and hopeful for the future,” Posen continued.
Fellow designer Christian Siriano responded to Posen’s post with his own update on Instagram which is titled Friday Night Thoughts. “Fashion can be such a hard and unforgiving business,” the designer said.
“We creators and artists are expected to perform season after season and judged for what we do each time the world sees it. Every red carpet, collection, collaboration are judged instantly and at what cost?” Siriano asked.
A favourite of A-List celebrities, Posen’s creations have been seen on the likes of Rhianna, Katie Holmes and Natalie Portman, as well as Glenn Close and Uma Thurman. In 2012, the New York native joined the judging panel of Project Panel, remaining an integral part of the hit reality show for 16 seasons until last year.
It was in 2015 that Posen accepted one of the biggest contracts of his career to date – to lead the design of a new uniform at Delta Air Lines. A uniform that would be worn by 65,000 employees around the world form and form an integral part of Delta’s design aesthetic.
Posen promised to bring “everyday elegance and style innovation” to Delta’s uniforms when the collaboration was first announced. Posen shadowed Delta’s employees to work out exactly what they needed and to see first hand just how varied their jobs can be before he even started sketching designs.
Working with employee groups from across the airline, Posen had to act on feedback from an army of volunteers and wear-testers to perfect his designs before they were eventually launched en-mass in May 2018. The designs have been favourably received, although perhaps the collaboration didn’t make Posen the household name he was expecting to become.
