Fashion enthusiasts can now purchase one-of-a-kind samples from Isaac Mizrahi’s extensive archive, marking a poignant moment in his career as he clears out his collection.
Starting today, fashion enthusiasts have the opportunity to acquire unique pieces from renowned designer Isaac Mizrahi’s expansive archive. The online sale features one-of-a-kind samples that were created between 1987 and 2012, marking a significant moment for both collectors and fans of Mizrahi’s work.
The impetus for this event was the closure of Mizrahi’s upstate New York storage facility, prompting him to clear out a substantial collection. In addressing the need to sell these garments, Mizrahi described the process as both surprising and emotional. “I was expecting a heavy dread,” he said in a conversation with Vogue, “but instead found joy, lightness, and inspiration.”
Originally from Brooklyn, Mizrahi showcased his diverse talents early in life. He attended the High School of Performing Arts, an institution made famous by the film “Fame,” before furthering his studies at the Parsons School of Design. Following his education, Mizrahi worked with notable fashion figures such as Perry Ellis, Jeffrey Banks, and Calvin Klein before launching his own label in 1987 to widespread acclaim. According to a profile in Vogue from 1989, he was hailed as “fashion’s favorite son,” known for creating colorful, chic, and whimsical designs that catered to the realities of women’s lives—fusing high fashion with elements of pop culture and fantasy.
Mizrahi’s multifaceted career has spanned beyond fashion; he has written a memoir titled “I.M.,” designed costumes for various productions, and collaborated on a successful line with Target. Additionally, his talents extend to performance, as he is currently on tour with a cabaret act. Over the years, Mizrahi has garnered numerous awards and recognition within the fashion industry.
During the archival collection’s pre-shopping event, Mizrahi enlisted the help of actress Zendaya and stylist Law Roach, noting the blend of creativity and excitement that can arise even in the process of revisiting past designs. His reflections on design encapsulate a duality, as he articulated in a past interview: “Design is half pleasure, half torture.”
The collection not only signifies the culmination of Mizrahi’s career but also acts as a reminder of his enduring influence in the fashion world. Fashion, in Mizrahi’s hands, always carries a touch of whimsy and imagination.
Source: Noah Wire Services
