Introduction
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Brooklyn, born American Designer Isaac Mizrahi was only 15 when he launched his first label, IS New York. After contracting spinal meningitis at the age of 10, his father Zeke Mizrahi bought Isaac a sewing machine to keep him company during his confinement. He grew up in Ocean Parkway, New Jersey surrounded by his Syrian Jewish community. Sarah, his mother and devoted fashion lover exposed the young Isaac to notable brands such as Chanel, Norman Norell, and Balenciaga. Rebel in his own account, the young Mizrahi often got expelled from Ye-Shiva School for impersonating the rabbis and scribbling fashion sketches in his bible. Noticeably unbefitting for Mizrahi a Ye-Shiva teacher encouraged his audition to Manhattan’s high school of Performing Arts. In later years, he would attend the Parson’s School of Design landing work opportunities with big names like Perry Ellis, Jeffrey Banks and Calvin Klein. He and Sarah Haddad-Cheney would partner up and open a women’s wear company in Soho, New York. Today, he leads as the creative director for Liz Claiborne Inc.
“Isaac is an amazing designer, but also an astute, successful. And innovative businessman…His own core values as a designer—among them, fit color, comfort, style, and value-mesh perfectly with the philosophy under which this brand was found,” said executive for partnered brands at Liz Claiborne, Dave McTague. Early Influences: From the early 1990s, Mizrahi had begun collaborating with choreographers like Twyla Tharp and Mark Morris, and designed costumes for an increasing number of ballets, modern dance productions, and even film. In the 2000s, he continues to expand his repertoire with his own television show, car design for Chevy, his journalism and blogging gigs with Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily, and still perform a version of his old cabaret act at Joe’s Pub in New York City. |
Critical Analysis
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In 1980 pop culture, the toy company, Mattel celebrated “The Barbie Doll” as its first unveiling as an “adult figure” more than 115 million dolls had been sold since 1959. (Gale, the 1980s). Same time, Pac-Man went on to become an icon of all video games. In Medical advancement, a year later, Elizabeth Carr was the first test-tube baby in the US. (Gale, the 1980s) Isaac was living in the decade of experimental innovations which led to multiple advancements in society. The decade also became the time for women empowerment. As the years progressed, more and more women would land positions in high office. A particularly male dominated organization, in 1985, Rev. Patricia Ann McClurg, became the first female minister to be elected president of the National Council of Churches. (Gale, the 1980s). Mizrahi favored women, called them fascinating creatures like living dolls. He is often designing for the improvement of female figure. Political events also shaped the decade like the collapse of the Berlin wall. A traditional communism and the end of the cold war, the collapse broke up the ties between the USSR and German reunification.
Mizrahi knew he was different from the start. He creates his own little world a magical, dazzling place with great style everywhere. Loving all things glamourous, color and glittery, he adored the ballet most. The exposure to theatre and old films such as The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Wizard of OZ. The glitz of theatre became an important factor to his development as an artistic figure. At the School of Performing Arts, he took speech, dictation, singing and dancing classes. He then has developed to be an accomplished piano player. It is safe to say, school was a nourishing environment for his soul. Allowing him to build his confidence at the age of 15. Mizrahi’s aesthetic was built on numerous designers from the past balled up into one giant thing. Claire McCardell, Halston, Geoffrey Beene, Normal Norell, Perry Ellis and the high-end department stores of New York City were the influential figures important to the American designer. Geoffrey Beene’s idea for jumpsuits and made renditions of this design producing them in vibrant colors. Norman Nordell’s influence in Mizrahi’s designs are typically found in his glamourous sporty designs. They are found in Mizrahi’s evening sweaters with white collars and cuffs also seen in the 1991 spring collection. Lastly, Perry Ellis who inspired Mizrahi to put a jaunty twist on an all-American style. Mizrahi used an old tartan plaid fabric and made a mini dress of it, as a thank you to the designer. “There’s magic in his shop. Part of what I felt we were buying into was a culture—a designer-led, irresistible culture.” Liz Claiborne CEO, William McComb. (Clifford Mills) Mizrahi drew his inspirations everywhere, eventually resulting in to projects he has under his belt. He is known to tap into comic books and illustrations. He created a series of comic books called Isaac Mizrahi Presents, the Adventures of Sandee the Supermodel, published by Simon & Schuster. He also co-wrote an historical documentary called Kingdom of David: The Saga of Israelites for PBS. (NY Daily News) He narrates the children’s classic, Peter and the Wolf at the Guggenheim Museum's Works & Process performing arts series in December 2007 and in 2010. (Guggenheim) In 2010, he directed Stephen Sondhein's A Little Night Music for Opera Theatre of St. Louis. (OTSL News Press) Isaac Mizrahi was a man of ideas who knew the best way to execute them. |
Influence
"I ask myself when I design every collection, 'What will change style forever?' That's the task I've set: Expressing myself and influencing the world." –Mizrahi (LA Times.com)
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Isaac Mizrahi is the golden child of New York there he was born and raised, where he blossom in success and wilt in rejection. New York was just not a state of mind to Isaac Mizrahi; New York is in his blood, New York is in him. Mizrahi elevated to an iconic designer because of his continuous contributions in fashion since emerging in the 1980s. Believing in the strong communication, he contributed in the rise of new media in fashion, bloggers who define the generation today. When he pioneered balancing High fashion and low fashion, he opened the door for acceptable for a designer to design for the old and young market. He was also democratic in a sense where he had the ability to connect different types of people, rich or poor, country or urban, he made everyone feel equal. Mizrahi's drive to find the most sophisticated version of each concept he developed was the leitmotif of his work.
Benhaz Sarafpour, worked for Isaac Mizrahi as a head designer. Mizrahi would take her under his wing as his protégé. His influence and guidance shows in her collection and aesthetic. Designs that would flatter the body, easy cuts and graced with comfort, she shares the spot light with big box designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Tom Ford. He would not only inspire budding designers, but celebrities as well. Mizrahi mastered the art if celebrity counterculture. Sandra Bernhard, and Liza Minnelli were among those who favored his work. “I wanted to see about wearing something of his, He draws from the culture, as I do. His twist on classical is right for me. He has a modern point of view. And he's a family man, he's old-fashioned, as I am." she says. Since then, Mizrahi has gained clients like Sandra designing for them in all sorts of ways. For her, he designs her costumes for a Broadway show she hope to open sometime in the near future. It is this type of networking that keeps designers on trend and in the circle, for Mizrahi, keeping up with society is important to stay relevant. Isaac Mizrahi left a lasting impression on how designers should capitalize on every type of media. He is one of the first designers to plunge into new media in the early 90s, using platforms like television shows and blogs. He succeeded to obtain visibility by staying connected with the rest of the world by accepting the impact of the dotcom era. Another momentous moment was Mizrahi’s collection for Target, it had been a huge success, generating more than $300 million a year by the end of 2007. (Clifford Mills) This success started a trend amongst other designers who wanted to capitalize on the new market opportunity. Since his bombshell, Target collaborates with Designers such as Missoni, Benhaz Sarafour, Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, and Prabal Gurung. The always on the go fashion designer, seems to make us think, what will he do next. His interest in the empire waistline, diversity of silhouettes from baby-doll dresses to evening jumpsuits to long dresses made him a relevant designer of the 21st century. His aesthetics will continue to expand and diversity as time evolves. Simple, comfortable and affordable clothing will always be in style, unaffected by time. |
Photo Gallery
Work Cited
"The 1980s: Lifestyles and Social Trends: People in the News." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et al. Vol. 9: 1980-1989. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 Sept. 2014.
"Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi Inspired by Chevrolet Malibu." Media.gm.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
Martin, Richard, and Owen James. "Mizrahi, Isaac." Contemporary Fashion. Ed. Taryn Benbow-Pfalzgraf. 2nd ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 2002. 477-480. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
Petrillo, Lisa. Isaac Mizrahi. Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Pub., 2011. Print
Mills, Cliff, and Isaac Mizrahi. Isaac Mizrahi. New York: Chelsea House, 2011. Print.
"Guggenheim." Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
"Isaac Mizrahi's Marketing of New Products on Yom Kippur Has Jewish Community in Uproar ." NY Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
The Latest News at Opera Theatre Share." OTSL News Press RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
Images
Mizrahi, Isaac. How to Have Style. New York: Penguin Group, 2008. Print.
Banks, Jeffrey, and Doria De La Chapelle. Tartan: Romancing the Plaid. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 2007. Print.
Photo Gallery Images
"Miz_ns11_010." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_ns11_060." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf10_088" Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf10_025." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
Gallery Images
"Miz_nf11_076." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_ns12_012dr." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf11_045." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi Inspired by Chevrolet Malibu." Media.gm.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
Martin, Richard, and Owen James. "Mizrahi, Isaac." Contemporary Fashion. Ed. Taryn Benbow-Pfalzgraf. 2nd ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 2002. 477-480. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
Petrillo, Lisa. Isaac Mizrahi. Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Pub., 2011. Print
Mills, Cliff, and Isaac Mizrahi. Isaac Mizrahi. New York: Chelsea House, 2011. Print.
"Guggenheim." Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
"Isaac Mizrahi's Marketing of New Products on Yom Kippur Has Jewish Community in Uproar ." NY Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
The Latest News at Opera Theatre Share." OTSL News Press RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
Images
Mizrahi, Isaac. How to Have Style. New York: Penguin Group, 2008. Print.
Banks, Jeffrey, and Doria De La Chapelle. Tartan: Romancing the Plaid. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 2007. Print.
Photo Gallery Images
"Miz_ns11_010." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_ns11_060." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf10_088" Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf10_025." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
Gallery Images
"Miz_nf11_076." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_ns12_012dr." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php
"Miz_nf11_045." Isaac Mizrahi. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/search/search.php