Fashion Flashback : Interview with Isaac Mizrahi

Written by BridgetteEW // January 12, 2012 // Designer's STYLE, Fashion, Fashion News // No comments

Every now and then I love to post flashback moments in STYLE’s history where we’ve interviewed some of our favorite people in the business. When Isaac Mizrahi first signed on as Creative Director at Liz Claiborne I had the honor of chatting with him about his new job in 2009.

When Isaac walked into the room, he brought a very positive, high energy aura with him. Since this was one of my first interviews with a well known fashion industry veteran I was quite nervous, but talking to Isaac is like catching up with an old friend so the jitters quickly subsided – he even sketched my very first resort look (photo below).

Enjoy the Fashion Flashback!

Charlotte STYLE Magazine: Tell me a little about what you’ve done in your new position as Creative Director at Liz Claiborne.

Isaac Mizrahi: This was a good job for me because we took our time developing the roduct. It took two years to get to this point, to this launch, and there is so much that we did with the brand. We totally rethought it. This is the best job because I love Liz Claiborne. Growing up I absolutely idolized her and she made up, for me, American clothes – she made it up, it was her invention. This job for me was such a great thing and suddenly everyone was like, ‘oh my god how are you going to do this? It’s such a dowdy brand; it’s such a granny brand.’ I was like, what are you taking about, step aside! Frankly [Liz Claiborne] has the best factories, the best production the best shipping the best everything. I just step in and say this is what should be done and that’s exactly what I’ve done. And they’ve listened and I think it looks so good. And it’s also selling right now which is very exciting.

CSM: I love the color selection of the clothing. It’s beautiful!

IM: It was my aim, my goal to sort of freshen it and make it this vital American brand that it once was, even better. Because here I am, my ego is on the line (laughs).

CSM: Tell me a little about what we see in the collection.

IM: I have to say, what I hope you see is my perception of a smart woman - a smart ageless woman. That’s who I’m trying to speak to. This woman who is in her prime, whether she is 25 or 45 or 65. [People ask] ’who is your woman?’ [She is] the smart ageless woman. When I say that it sounds very broad but it’s not because the word ‘smart’ narrows it down, the word ‘ageless’ narrows it down and the word ‘woman’ narrows it down. I remember when I was in my 20s designing clothes for women in their prime, I wasn’t designing teen, pop clothes. I’ve always been that designer. And now that I’m in my early 30s (chuckles) I consider that I am for the rest of my life. Just because I’m 60 doesn’t mean that I have to be 60 ; I’m not 60 but you see what I mean. Perpetually 35.

CSM: What do you think about the first lady, Michelle Obama, photographed wearing Liz.

IM: She’s my idol. I love it. She represents the biggest “see change” in our country’s history. She is a real lover of clothes. It’s not just a person, like a card board cut out, like so many first ladies with big hair and a red suit, she really loves clothes and it’s personal for her. As opposed to just working with a stylist, I know she does, she’s busy, but I know the woman is involved. I also love the fact that she is the perfect example of this perpetual 35 year old. She still wears sleeveless because she has gorgeous arms. She still wears skirts above the knees because she has good legs. Just because she’s not exactly 30 she doesn’t dress like that, she’s dressed appropriately.

All smiles as I chat it up with Isaac Mizrahi

CSM: Those following me on Twitter want to me to ask you ‘What’s hot this summer?’

IM: Shorts, wedge sandal, color accessories, a big color handbag, yellow [and] a crop jacket.

CSM: Another question from Twitter…..I know that Boston Legal was your favorite TV show so what are watching now?

IM: The real housewives of NY. Bridgette, you have to watch that show. It’s the best show ever. You’re going to love it. The other thing I watch is In Treatment. I have to go home when [the show is] broadcast because I’m the broadcast kind of guy.

CSM: What’s your stylish accessory that you can’t live without?

IM: (Pointing to his Liz Clarborne bag) The more beat up it gets the more I adore it. For me it’s the replacement tote bag for everything in your closet. This is the best bag. People stop me on the street and ask, ‘where did you get that’ and I’m like ‘Belk’.

CSM: What does STYLE mean to you?

IM: STYLE means a lot of things. It means the courage to go with what you have and somehow make it surprising and delightful. That you’re born with certain attributes, trying to play those up while denying the bad things. STYLE means exhibiting the best part of you, of who you really are, expressing all the good things of yourself.

CSM: Is there anything that you have not accomplished yet that you want to one day?

IM: I’d like to help people more. I think that fashion design helps people, but I would like to help more. I’m involved in a few pet causes. I grew up with ASPCA for instance. I want to make an actual philanthropic change in th world. When I am able to I will if God smiles down on me and makes me that lucky I will.

CSM: Do you have pets?

IM: I have a dog and my boyfriend has a dog. My dog Harry who is 9, he is an aires, he is a border collie mix and Arnold’s dog is a beagle mix and he’s 2.

(Isaac has this game called “Sketches and Answers” that he plays on his online TV show. I asked him if he were willing to play with me and he agreed. The sketch is below)

CSM: I’m going on a cruise in a few weeks. What should I wear?

Sarong, no. No more sarongs. I know it’s the vacation look but I think you should wear a big oversized boyfriendish blazer, a collar with the sleeves rolled up, a little bathing suit, and then like shorts with …make it like a suit with little tiny shorts. And the that’s your on board look, you need heels, the jacket should be plaid. There you go. We’ll call it, “Bridgette on Board.”