Joe Zee has a hard time defining an “average” week. Last March, he was on the Oscars red carpet offering live commentary on celebrities like Zendaya, Michael B. Jordan, and Demi Moore. In April, he hosted the Canadian Fashion and Arts Design Awards. And in between, he’s preparing for his next semester teaching fashion styling at ASU FIDM.
A longtime force in the fashion industry, Zee previously served as creative director at ELLE and has held roles at Yahoo Style, W Magazine, Vanity Fair, Details, and Allure. He’s also an Emmy-nominated host, author, and producer. These days, though, much of his inspiration comes from his students at ASU’s California Center in Los Angeles.
“I feel like I’m learning from them as much as they’re learning from me,” Zee said. “In our conversations, I can see what they’re drawn to…it’s such a fascinating glimpse into what drives Gen Z.”
Zee shared more about his approach to teaching and the evolving fashion landscape in a Q&A.
Q: What is your approach to teaching fashion styling?
A: “The industry looks different now than it used to. You can be everything from a fashion influencer to a stylist to working in retail, so I try to cover the whole spectrum.
“I’m a television producer at heart, so I structure each class like an episode. Students get a ‘challenge,’ and the following week we critique the work. That part is important because constructive critique is integral to the industry—great ideas don’t live in a bubble.
“We also look at fashion in pop culture—movies, runway shows, red carpets. Some of it they’ve seen, but some of the biggest moments from early in my career are completely new to them.”
Q: How has social media changed the industry?
A: “I always tell my students: Your best marketing tool is in your hands, and it’s free. If you do social media right, you can shape your own narrative on your own terms—that’s huge.
“We study TikTok and create ‘get ready with me’ videos, and part of their grade is based on engagement metrics, because that’s the real world now.
“Social media has accelerated everything. A runway show happens and it’s on your feed instantly. But the internet is insatiable. By the time a look hits stores, we’ve already moved on. The challenge now isn’t just capturing attention—it’s keeping it.”
Q: Why are people so fascinated with red carpet fashion?
A: “Fashion is art, and art is subjective—that’s part of the fun. But people are also fascinated by the business behind it. These days, nobody looks bad on a red carpet because everyone has a team. It’s very pay-to-play, and every detail is accounted for.
“At the end of the day, fashion is a way to connect. It’s storytelling, and everyone gets to have an opinion—which social media has amplified. Who doesn’t want to cast judgment from the safety of their couch?”