Is Isaac Mizrahi the designer behind the famous Target line?+
Yes. Isaac Mizrahi returned to fashion in 2002 with the launch of Isaac Mizrahi for Target, a diffusion line that became a major commercial success. Over five years its sales tripled to more than $300 million and made him a household name, before the Target line was discontinued in 2008 when he departed to design for Liz Claiborne.
What is the Unzipped documentary about Isaac Mizrahi?+
Unzipped, released in 1995, is a documentary about the development of Mizrahi's Fall 1994 collection. It offered a behind-the-scenes look at the designer at work and became a touchstone for how the public came to know his flamboyant creative personality.
Who is Isaac Mizrahi and what is the brand known for?+
Isaac Mizrahi, born October 14, 1961, is an American fashion designer, actor, singer and television presenter, and chief designer of the Isaac Mizrahi brand for Xcel Brands. Based in New York City, he is best known for his eponymous fashion lines and a playful, color-forward aesthetic that helped popularize accessible designer style.
Who owns the Isaac Mizrahi brand now?+
In 2011, Mizrahi sold his brand to Xcel Brands, Inc. Xcel launched categories under the Isaac Mizrahi New York, Isaac Mizrahi Jeans and Isaac Mizrahi labels, while Mizrahi remained a shareholder, creative director and media personality for his namesake brand.
Where can I buy Isaac Mizrahi New York?+
Under Xcel Brands, Isaac Mizrahi footwear and denim launched in Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom as of August 2012, and his first fragrance, Fabulous, debuted on QVC and in Bloomingdale's that year. The designer also built a long-running television-retail presence, including the IsaacMizrahiLIVE! line he launched exclusively on QVC in 2010.
When did Isaac Mizrahi start his career?+
Mizrahi presented his first collection in 1987 at a trunk show held by the New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. The line immediately earned praise from fashion editors and prompted several top retailers to place orders, launching his reputation early.
What is Isaac Mizrahi's background?+
Mizrahi was born in Brooklyn, the son of Sarah and Zeke Mizrahi, a children's clothing manufacturer, and is of Syrian-Jewish descent. He grew up in Midwood, Brooklyn, and bought his first sewing machine at the age of ten with money he had saved from babysitting that summer.
Did Chanel ever back Isaac Mizrahi?+
Yes. In 1992 the French fashion house Chanel bought a stake in Mizrahi's company and began to bankroll its operations. Despite continued critical acclaim, sales were inconsistent, and Chanel eventually pulled financing in October 1998, forcing the closure of the company after the Fall 1998 collection.
Which celebrities have worn Isaac Mizrahi?+
Among Mizrahi's fans and clients were Hollywood stars including Nicole Kidman, Selma Blair, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Debra Messing and Natalie Portman. That early roster reflects the glamorous, refined clientele he set out to appeal to in his namesake collections.
What is the Scarlett Johansson red carpet controversy involving Isaac Mizrahi?+
In January 2006, Mizrahi drew controversy when he touched actress Scarlett Johansson's breast during a live red-carpet interview for E! at that year's Golden Globes. Johansson said she was "sort of shocked" but not angry, attributing it to a desire for publicity, and Mizrahi later minimized the incident as a question about whether she was wearing an underwire bra.
Has Isaac Mizrahi done work beyond fashion?+
Yes, widely. Mizrahi has worked as a costume designer for Broadway revivals, winning the 2002 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design for The Women, and he designed costumes for the Metropolitan Opera's Orfeo ed Euridice in 2008. He has also acted in films, hosted television shows, and in 2022 played Amos Hart in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago.
