Rachel Zoe is a new era.

The fashion designer, 53, revealed to Red Buzz exclusively that she is living her “best life” following her separation from her husband of 26 years, Rodger Berman. Seven months after her split, Zoe is encouraging all women to find their own sense of fulfillment.

“As a woman in business and a mother, I will scream at the top of Mount Everest if I have to [about] how important it is for women to have their own independence, financially and socially,” Zoe exclusively told Us while at the Living Beauty Spring Luncheon and Fundraiser in Beverly Hills on Friday, May 30. “Women need to be able to stand on their own no matter what. No matter how in love they are [or] how great their life is. If you can stand on your own, then you’re in a position of strength no matter what happens.”

Zoe and Berman, who share sons Skyler, 14, and Kaius, 11, filed for separation in September 2024 after 26 years of marriage and 33 years together. The stylist is passionate about teaching women and girls “everywhere in the world, and certainly in this country, how important it is to have your independence.”

“You don’t just work till you get married. It is really, really important for a million and one reasons,” Zoe explained. “You never know what’s going to happen in your life. No one has a crystal ball. I think for a mom or anyone going through [a divorce], I think you have to find the light in the darkness.”

Zoe has found that light. She is successfully coparenting with Berman and her sons are doing “amazing” since the split because “they have two parents who love them,” which is the “the only thing that really matters.” Zoe added that the “stronger” and “happier” she feels, the “better [the kids] can feel it.”

“I am really happy. I’m not Instagram happy. I’m actually really happy,” Zoe gushed to Us. “I’m enjoying this new ride. I’m enjoying looking at life through a different lens. Just working hard and doing lots of exciting things.”

One of those exciting things could include a new television show. Zoe revealed that she is open to returning to TV, if the project is aligned with her current mindset. The mother of two previously appeared on Bravo’s The Rachel Zoe Project, which aired from 2007 to 2013, and on the Lifetime series Fashionably Late With Rachel Zoe, which ran for one season in 2015.

“We’ll see,” Zoe said when asked about her television future. “I think if the right opportunity comes along, and the stars align, and it all makes sense, and I have a lot to say — then maybe we’ll see.”

One of the projects Zoe is making space for is her work with Living Beauty Cancer Foundation, which raised over $745,000 at Friday’s luncheon to support free wellness and healing experiences for women with cancer. As a woman who has been “plagued by cancer in all aspects of my life,” Zoe told Us that the cause was particularly close to her heart.

“My mother, grandmother, sister, dad, uncle and both grandfathers [have had cancer]. I know it well,” Zoe shared. “I think that Living Beauty is more impactful than anyone can realize until they’re going through it. The foundation really creates this community of women. No situation is the same, but at least they’re feeling that together.”