Isaac Mizrahi
1961 - Present
Bibliography
Isaac Mizrahi was born in New York City in 1961. His father designed children’s wear and his mother was a clotheshorse. His parents were very influential in his passion for fashion. At the young age of 10 Mizrahi stole money from his mother to buy fabric and trimmings. At 11 he was saving up all his babysitting money so he could buy himself a sewing machine. His father gave him a pair of scissors with his name engraved on it. After graduating high school Isaac Mizrahi enrolled full time at Parsons. Marc Jacobs was also enrolled at the same time, Mizrahi was only two years his junior. When he was 20 he was an apprentice for Perry Ellis, then later briefly with Jeffery Banks and Calvin Klein. In 1987, Mizrahi along with Sarah Haddad-Cheney, started their own company selling out of a car to department stores and having 'trunk shows'. HIs breakthrough show was in 1988, which shot him up to fashion stardom. Although, largely liked by many some criticized that his designs were not selling well in department store and that he copied designs from other designers. Even with the criticism Mizrahi's company grew and today his is still a well know designer, still designing.
Critical Analysis
Isaac Mizrahi, a man who was tired of seeing so much black, is widely known for his use of bright, lively colors in his designs. He took sportswear to a whole new level by keeping the garment simple but adding pops of color or a graphic design that makes the garment stand out among others. Mizrahi says his goal "is not to achieve tremendous commercial success, but to develop a language and a style with clothes (Mills). There are definitely Claire McCardell, Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein influences in his designs, however, Mizrahi isn't one to ramble on about his inspirations because he believes its personal and too artsy-craftsy (Mills). His designs are colorfully sophisticated, fun, and bold. Even if his signature pops of color were not incorporated a playful pattern or graphic design was. Mizrahi said he always "Wanted to tap into deeper human needs, not just superficial wants" (Mills). He does this well by making clothes that designed around comfort and function but also stylish. His clothing is smart balance between youthful and sophisticated (Mills).
Future Designs
Isaac Mizrahi is still designing today. Although he changes his designs with the times he still keeps the elements that he is known for incorporated. He has been on various fashion shows including The Fashion Show and Project Runway: The All Stars. He is a great candidate to host these shows because all that he has been through and all the insight he has. He will continue designers for years to come.
Works Cited
IMDB. Isaac Mizrahi . 5 September 2013 <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594617/>.
Isaac Mizrahi NY. Isaac Mizrahi New York. 5 September 2013 <http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com>.
Mills, Clifford W. Isaac Mizrahi. New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2011.
Style Sight. IMAGE LIBRARY: Isaac Mizrahi. 3 September 2013 <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php#%7B%22start%22%3A%20150%2C%20%22limit%22%3A%2050%2C%20%22f_limit%22%3A%205%2C%20%22q%22%3A%20%22isaac%20mizrahi%22%2C%20%22facets%5B%5D%22%3A%20%5B%5D%7D>.
Vogue. "Fashion: Bold Ideas." 1 Feburary 1990. ProQuest. 3 September 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/pagemap/879288187/pageview/14065292B8A31100DAB/1?t:lb=t&accountid=42534>.
Leon Talley, Andre and Vogue. Fashion: The Kings of Color. 1 September 1990. 15 August 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/docview/879293440/pageview/1400EB5CB74511D3B5/13?accountid=42534>.
Mansfield, Stephanie and Vogue. Fashion: Nobody Beats the Miz. 1 Feburary 1989. 5 September 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/pagemap/879285085/pageview/14065351F874C62B47D/8?t:lb=t&accountid=42534>.
IMDB. Isaac Mizrahi . 5 September 2013 <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594617/>.
Isaac Mizrahi NY. Isaac Mizrahi New York. 5 September 2013 <http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com>.
Mills, Clifford W. Isaac Mizrahi. New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2011.
Style Sight. IMAGE LIBRARY: Isaac Mizrahi. 3 September 2013 <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php#%7B%22start%22%3A%20150%2C%20%22limit%22%3A%2050%2C%20%22f_limit%22%3A%205%2C%20%22q%22%3A%20%22isaac%20mizrahi%22%2C%20%22facets%5B%5D%22%3A%20%5B%5D%7D>.
Vogue. "Fashion: Bold Ideas." 1 Feburary 1990. ProQuest. 3 September 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/pagemap/879288187/pageview/14065292B8A31100DAB/1?t:lb=t&accountid=42534>.
Leon Talley, Andre and Vogue. Fashion: The Kings of Color. 1 September 1990. 15 August 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/docview/879293440/pageview/1400EB5CB74511D3B5/13?accountid=42534>.
Mansfield, Stephanie and Vogue. Fashion: Nobody Beats the Miz. 1 Feburary 1989. 5 September 2013 <http://search.proquest.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/vogue/pagemap/879285085/pageview/14065351F874C62B47D/8?t:lb=t&accountid=42534>.