Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi
Isaac Mizrahi
Born	October 14, 1961 (age 65); Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Fashion designer, actor, singer, television host
Years active	1987–present
Known for	Isaac Mizrahi label under Xcel Brands, judge on Project Runway All Stars, Broadway actor

Isaac Mizrahi (born October 14, 1961) is a multifaceted American creative professional known for his work as a fashion designer, actor, singer, television host, and the lead designer of the Isaac Mizrahi label under Xcel Brands. Operating out of New York City, he is primarily recognized for his self-titled fashion collections. Mizrahi served as a judge on Project Runway All Stars and appeared in 2022 as Amos Hart in the Broadway revival of Chicago.

Early life

Born in Brooklyn, Mizrahi is the son of Sarah and Zeke Mizrahi, who manufactured children's apparel. He descends from Syrian-Jewish heritage, with his maternal grandparents originating from Aleppo, Syria. Growing up as the youngest boy in Midwood, Brooklyn, he purchased his first sewing machine at age ten using money earned babysitting. By the age of 15, supported by a family acquaintance, he established his initial label, IS New York. His education includes attendance at Yeshivah of Flatbush, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and later the Parsons School of Design at The New School.

Fashion career

Mizrahi introduced his debut collection in 1987 during a trunk show hosted at New York's prestigious department store Bergdorf Goodman, quickly gaining acclaim and securing orders from leading retailers. In 1989, he characterized his creations as "controlled and glamorous," drawing inspiration from both opulence and the cultural diversity of New York City, aimed at an upscale market. By 1992, French luxury brand Chanel invested in his company and provided financial backing. Despite receiving critical praise, sales fluctuated; annual revenues ranged between $10–20 million but the business failed to achieve profitability, ultimately incurring significant losses in its final years. Chanel withdrew its support in 1998, leading to the brand’s closure following the Fall 1998 collection. Notable clients included celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, and Natalie Portman.

Between 1995 and 1997, Mizrahi introduced a secondary line named "IS**C," priced from $275 to $850, intended to complement his luxury offerings; however, it did not resonate with consumers and was eventually discontinued.

In 2002, he re-entered the market with Isaac Mizrahi for Target—a diffusion line that expanded beyond apparel to include accessories, bedding, home goods, and pet items. Over five years, sales tripled to surpass $300 million, establishing Mizrahi as a widely recognized name. This partnership concluded in 2008 when Mizrahi transitioned to designing for Liz Claiborne, which was then facing financial challenges. Liz Claiborne secured his services by outbidding Target with hopes of rejuvenating their brand; nevertheless, this collaboration lasted only one year.

The 2009 Liz Claiborne New York collection was retailed through major department stores such as Macy's and Dillard's. The brand underwent a visual rebranding with new logos and launched campaigns featuring a diverse range of models. Despite these initiatives, sales lagged due to economic difficulties and strategic errors predating Mizrahi’s tenure. His distinctive style may have been misaligned with Liz Claiborne’s established customer demographic. Later in 2009, the Liz Claiborne label was licensed to J.C. Penney and subsequently acquired by them; Mizrahi was not involved in this iteration. His Liz Claiborne New York line continued on QVC until his contract expired in December 2016.

In 2010, Mizrahi debuted IsaacMizrahiLIVE!, an exclusive collection available through QVC.

By 2011, he sold his brand to Xcel Brands, Inc., which broadened product offerings under labels including Isaac Mizrahi New York, Isaac Mizrahi Jeans, and Isaac Mizrahi. In August 2012, footwear and denim collections were introduced at Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom; later that year saw the launch of his first fragrance, Fabulous, available on QVC and at Bloomingdale’s. Under Xcel Brands' ownership, Mizrahi retained roles as shareholder, creative director, and media figurehead for his brand.

Media

Beginning in the 1990s, Mizrahi made numerous appearances in television series and films, notably portraying fashion designer Julian Russell in the 1993 Michael J. Fox comedy For Love or Money. The 1995 documentary Unzipped documented the creation of his Fall 1994 collection. His show Isaac premiered on the Style Network in Fall 2005, following an earlier series broadcast on the Oxygen channel.

Mizrahi frequently appears on E! network programs, recognized for his extravagant style. He has played himself in series such as Sex and the City and Spin City, and guest-starred as a Fashion TV reporter on Ugly Betty. His participation extended to the first season of The Apprentice, where he contributed to a charity auction, and he was a guest on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! in 2006. Furthermore, he featured in an episode of Season 4 of Gossip Girl.

Describing himself as an entertainer skilled in both singing and acting, Mizrahi showcased jazz performances on his Oxygen program and appeared in Woody Allen films including Small Time Crooks, Hollywood Ending, and Celebrity. He also took part in the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational, advancing despite early challenges.

In 2006, Mizrahi contributed his design talents pro bono by creating denim work aprons for conservators at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.

Mizrahi co-hosted Bravo's inaugural season of The Fashion Show in 2009 alongside singer Kelly Rowland, stepping in after Bravo's previous hit, Project Runway, transitioned to Lifetime. He returned as co-host for the show's second season in 2010 with supermodel Iman, whose fashion industry background added significant authority to the program.

In 2012, Mizrahi took on the role of lead judge for the first season of Project Runway: All Stars alongside designer Georgina Chapman. That same year, he worked as a red carpet correspondent for Live with Kelly during the 84th Academy Awards, conducting interviews with prominent celebrities.

In 2013, Mizrahi appeared as himself during Showtime’s final season of The Big C.

Controversy

In 2006, Mizrahi became embroiled in controversy after he groped actress Scarlett Johansson’s breast during an E! Golden Globes interview. In a 2013 interview on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, he minimized the incident, characterizing it as a playful moment rather than an act of ill intent.

Costume design

Mizrahi has created costume designs for three Broadway revivals: the plays The Women (2001) and Barefoot in the Park (2006), as well as the operetta Threepenny Opera (2006). He earned the 2002 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design for his work on The Women.

Additionally, he designed costumes for the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Orfeo ed Euridice (2008), directed by longtime collaborator Mark Morris. Their creative partnership began in 1997 when Mizrahi designed costumes for Morris’s film project featuring Yo-Yo Ma.

Other ventures

Developed the comic book series Isaac Mizrahi Presents the Adventures of Sandee the Supermodel, which was published by Simon & Schuster.
Since 2007, has served as the narrator for Peter and the Wolf as part of the Guggenheim Museum's Works & Process performing arts program.
Authored How to Have Style in 2008, released by Gotham.
Took on directing duties and created set and costume designs for Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis in 2010.
Directed and designed productions for Mozart's The Magic Flute at Opera Theatre of St. Louis in 2014.
Collaborated with Johnson & Johnson in 2013 to launch a collection of Band-Aid adhesive bandages featuring his artwork.
His inaugural career retrospective exhibition, titled Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History, debuted at The Jewish Museum in New York in 2016, accompanied by a catalog published by Yale University Press.
Released his memoir, IM, through Flatiron Books in 2019.

Personal life

On November 30, 2011, Mizrahi wed Arnold Germer, his partner of six years, in a civil ceremony held at New York City Hall.

In popular culture

Mizrahi portrayed Touchstone in Alan Parker's 1980 film Fame, set at the High School of Performing Arts where he studied. He also made a cameo as a "celebrity alien" in the 1997 movie Men in Black.

An actor impersonating Mizrahi appeared on the MTV prank show Buzzkill in 1996. He has made guest appearances as himself on television shows including Frasier, Sex and the City (Season 5, episode 5), and Gossip Girl (Season 4, episode 6).

In 2004, Mizrahi participated on The Apprentice during a charity challenge benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He also portrayed himself in the concluding season of The Big C.

His appearance on QVC in 2015 attracted attention after he mistakenly referred to the Moon as a planet, leading to a playful exchange with co-host Shawn Killinger.

Mizrahi was mentioned in the 2018 episode “Kiss and Tell” of Modern Family. In January 2024, he appeared as a guest judge on season sixteen of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Looking forward, he holds the role of Consulting Producer on Hulu’s upcoming 2025 sitcom Mid-Century Modern, which stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, and Linda Lavin.

External links

Isaac Mizrahi profile at the CFDA
Isaac Mizrahi runway collections featured on Vogue