The World According to Isaac


Left: Kathleen Beckett; Right: Isaac Mizrahi

If there’s anyone more madcap, entertaining, exuberant, expressive, or outgoing than Isaac Mizrahi (or anyone who is better at ‘shmoozing’ for that matter), I’d like to know who it is. The multi-talented fashion designer (a bona fide tv personality in his own right, who has also directed and designed costumes for the ballet, modern dance productions, and theatre), can arguably be credited with starting the whole ‘high/ low’ thing years ago when he partnered with Target while simultaneously launching his haute couture collection for Bergdorf Goodman (both of which were shown together and mixed together at a runway show at Cipriani 42nd Street). But there were nothing in the least bit ‘low’ about a recent buffet lunch and shopping event held at his chic upper east side boutique (23 East 67th Street), for Friends of Fashion (www.friendsoffashion.com) and more than 30 invited guests.

I guess you could call it Four Seasons Chez Isaac, since the wonderful space, which boasts a garden in the back, was filled with clothing from spring/summer 2010, fall/winter 2010, and resort 2011, in addition to accessories and home furnishings. Those in attendance were able to make purchases and place orders for fall (and as at all Friends of Fashion shopping events, 10% of every sale goes to help the fashion industry).

It was unsurpisingly highly visual and decidedly colorful, from the striking chairs in orange and lime green (the latter was accessorized with a hot pink pillow), to the wonderful assortment of clothing and accessories on display (a lively video of the fall show, held in February, played on one wall allowing all to see). The moment Isaac appeared (clad in head to toe black), he quickly milled around the store, meeting and greeting and soon thereafter, Kathleen Beckett, founder of Friends of Fashion, stood before the crowd with the designer, making a short welcoming speech (during which time she talked about the organization’s mission). She then introduced Isaac, who spoke off-the-cuff and straight from the heart.

The iconic multi-tasker, who currently designs for Liz Claiborne and QVC in addition to his eponymous collections, spoke about his major inspirations, from his beloved New York City and Fred Astaire, who inspired his spring line, to the young, plugged in, and oh-so-chic team (in their late 20’s and 30’s) who he is proud to call his design collaborators. What came across loud and clear was that for Isaac, it’s all about “pride of craft” (“I’m very proud of the clothes I make in my house”), his fascination with the “problem solving” aspect of design, and most importantly, DESIGN, with a capital D (“it’s not as much about fashion as it is about great, timeless design” he quipped). One thing that is undeniable is that good design truly does not have expiration date.

(For full disclosure, as I have previously mentioned, in addition to being editor-in-chief of the lookonline.com, I also serve as style director for Friends of Fashion). For more information, go to Friends of Fashion (www.friendsoffashion.com).

-Marilyn Kirschner

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Kathleen Beckett, the well respected journalist and founder of Friends of Fashion, http://www.friendsoffashion.com/, a membership club whose mission is to support the fashion industry through regularly scheduled events, launched her Save the Garment Center Tour (STGC) this past Tuesday. She guided a group of 10, in addition to journalists from The New York Times Online, Wall Street Journal.com, DailyCandy.com. and moi (I initially met Kathleen when she was the Assistant Features Editor and I was a Senior Market Editor at Harper’s Bazaar), through three factories, all within a two block radius (35th to 37th Streets, between 7th and 8th Avenues) giving us the opportunity to get an up close and personal behind the scenes look at the people and the factories that make the clothes and accessories we all know and love to wear. (FYI, we all wear many ‘hats’ these days and in addition to being editor-in-chief of the Lookonline, I am also the Style Director for Friends of Fashion, an organization I feel very strongly about).

The first stop was Regal Originals at 247 West 37th Street, which is one of the last remaining factories for decorative stitching and pleating (there once were 400). It was there we were met by Roger Cohen, whose Holocaust survivor father-in-law founded the company 60 years ago. We were shown how the workers work their ‘magic’ on such high end labels as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Nicole Miller, and Nanette Lepore, as well as the more popular priced clothing which is sold at J.C. Penny and Target. (FYI: the gorgeous red Marchesa gown worn by actress Vera Farmiga to the Academy Awards, was pleated at Regal Originals).

Next was Custom Fabric Flowers, on West 36th Street, which has been offering their absolutely breathtaking flowers (in all sizes, shapes, colors) to the apparel, millinery and accessories industry since 1919, and is headed up by the son and daughter of its original founders, (Holocaust survivors), Debra and Warren Brand. Warren proudly took us on a tour showing how fabric flowers are actually made by hand to eventually adorn clothing by Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, J.Crew, St. John, and Priscilla of Boston (one standout was the enormous white flower that would eventually top a couture wedding dress by the latter).

Then we toured A-OK Productions on West 35th Street, where rows of sewers create designs by Anna Sui and Nanette Lepore (such as the dress designed by Nanette that Lauren Conrad wears on the cover of this month’s Seventeen Magazine).

I was especially touched by the personal stories recounted by both Mr. Cohen and Mr. Brand (who share a similar background with Holocaust survivor parents), and the way they both made it clear how very much like a family each and every one of their employers are treated and regarded. And each was very verbal and palpably frustrated by the dire situation facing the Garment Center, explaining why something must be done to preserve it.

At the last stop, Nanette Lepore’s headquarters on West 35th Street, we were given a tour of several of their 8 floors in the building. The Friends of Fashion group was treated to a special treat: not only was the spring 2010 line available for shopping but there was a first time ever private trunk show for her Renaissance inspired Fall 2010 collection where orders were placed. As at all Friends of Fashion events, 10% of every purchase made goes to help the fashion industry. Veuve Clicquot Champagne was served and towards the end, Nanette Lepore appeared and addressed the group. As you know, she has been one of the most outspoken designers regarding the STGC issue (s she was the brains behind the Save the Garment Center Rally this past October) and as she put it, “It’s imperative to keep the little factories in New York alive because they are important in solidifying the future of fashion”. WE want to be competitive in the world”.

So, if you want to ensure that the Rogers, Warrens, and Nanettes of the world will stay in business, you can make a difference through Friends of Fashion. It’s a way for fashion loving consumers to party with designers, shop in private (and much much more), and do GOOD. Become a member of FOF and a complimentary tour will be included with your membership. For more information, click on to http://www.friendoffashion.com/ or call 212 505 2157.

-Marilyn Kirschner

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