Isaac Mizrahi

I.M. is a well written memoir. The early stuff about Issac growing up, his complicated relationship with his parents and the Jewish religion resonates. His early artistic flourishes from puppet shows and female impersonations gives the reader a stunning foundation as to how he became a fashion icon later in life.
After his father dies, Issac touchingly writes “I loved my father and how much sadness it gives me to admit this, I was really only able to live my life-to thrive-after he died. There was no way I could live as an openly gay man without the fear that he might find out and be crushed.”
The only negative comments I have relates to the details of the designing world that border on overkill. Unfortunately, if you aren’t a fashion design student, these passages may be less than compelling.
When he reaches the heights of success, he has difficulty coping. Despite seeing a physiatrist, he found more comfort from psychics, numerologists, astrologists, mediums, and tarot card readers. Since it is the job of designers to predict what everyone wants to wear, it wasn’t farfetched for him to dabble with the occult.

His second career as a cabaret singer brings a sweetness to the memoir and makes for a worthwhile read.… (mere)

I like Mizrahi's message to women to be comfortable in their skin, but also to take care and be healthy. What I didn't like was that some of the style choices seemed to be leaning toward the runway ridiculous. But I wondered how much of his personal opinion/taste intervened with the choices; like which shoes were a no, when they weren't even on a woman. But that being said, I also liked his message about women trying a little harder to dress up instead of putting on the old stand by of jeans and dressing it up for a night out on the town. It takes less effort to put on a cute dress.
And just as a side, I think women should be more supportive of others and not give the evil eye when a woman has dressed nice and made the effort. Especially when the evil eye owner is wearing sweats. ;-) I'm just saying.… (mere)