[ back ]
Isaac Mizrahi: A Real-World Approach to Style
(by Sharon Mosley - October 03, 2008)
Makeovers move over -- here comes Isaac. Most fashionistas know this man by his first name ever since he brought cheap chic to Target with his quirky sense of New York style. Now, style icon Isaac Mizrahi has a guidebook that will inspire us even more.
"How to Have Style" (Gotham, October 2008, $30) is Mizrahi's answer to all those TV "makeover" shows that berate women and make them cry, as so-called style gurus throw their clothes in the trash can.
"Too many women are taught to hate the way they look and are encouraged to change everything about themselves from their lips to their bust sizes," says Mizrahi. "This is not that kind of book."
Bravo, we were getting tired of those types of shows anyway. I mean, let's get real -- down to the fashion nitty-gritty.
"I applaud busy people who don't have time to think about style as well as people who go overboard," adds the designer who is currently Liz Claiborne's creative director. "I admire those who take risks and fail. That's the true meaning of the word 'style.'"
"I can give you all my style tips and ideas about your hair, makeup and dress, but none of this is going to do anything for you if you don't learn to accept yourself and love who you are," says Mizrahi who took the hands of 12 "real" women -- both skinny and plus-size -- and in over 600 photographs and sketches shows us all how we can also look great.
Here's a stylebook that has fashion tips for every size. Some of Mizrahi's best advice includes:
-- Start your own inspiration board. He suggests finding a corkboard and pushpins. Then collect your favorite visual images: photographs, advertisements or paint-color swatches. After a few weeks, you will see your own personal styles start to emerge.
-- Put together your own "fashion" style team. Find a great hairstylist. Enlist the help of a personal shopper and makeup artist at your favorite stores. Start the process of working with what you have -- enjoy developing your own unique sense of fashion.
-- Teach yourself to buy less stuff. "Spend more money on a few exceptional, high-quality items that you will wear again and again," says Mizrahi. His list includes cashmere sweaters, a classic trench coat and a timeless dress.
-- Find five to 10 items that produce instant style and keep them on hand. These items could be fishnet tights, animal-print flats or a designer scarf.
-- Play this fashion game. "Find an outfit or a look in a fashion magazine that you love and then try to recreate it from your own closet. You might be surprised to discover what's lurking in your wardrobe."
-- When in doubt, wear black. "But to stand out, you must mix patterns and textures," adds Mizrahi. "Black is always great for appearing slimmer and taller, but it's also good to add a bit of contrasting color to the outfit."
-- When wearing color, Mizrahi urges women to start small. "Accessorize with one color in many different hues." Then once you find your favorite color, start mixing them within spectrums. For instance, he pairs turquoise satin ankle wedges with a dark-blue satin dress on one model in the book.
-- Take a staple like denim and dress it up. You can use a metallic jacket, a designer handbag, bejeweled flats, an eye-catching belt or glamorous sunglasses.
And one of Mizrahi's best tips to remember: "No one is looking at your imperfections; they're all too busy worrying about their own."
For more of Isaac's tips and his great blogs, check out www.isaacmizrahiny.com or www.watchisaac.com.
(set image) smo092308-vis.jpg (end image) (set caption) Isaac Mizrahi suggests building a denim wardrobe by starting with the perfect jeans and layering with more denim. Try a denim jacket or vest over a denim shirt. "Multitask denim," he says. "It works for you in more than one way." Photo courtesy of Jason Frank Rothenberg. (end caption)
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
[ back ]
