The Jewish Musem, through August 7, 2016
Through more than 250 clothing and costume designs, sketches, photographs, and an immersive video installation, Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History explores Mizrahi’s unique position at the intersection of high style and popular culture. While best known for his work in fashion, Mizrahi’s creativity has expanded over a three decade career to embrace acting, directing, set and costume design, writing, and cabaret performance. Beginning with his first collection in 1987 and running through the present day, Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History weaves together the many threads of Mizrahi’s prolific output, juxtaposing work in fashion, film, television, and the performing arts.
The exhibition explores key trends in Mizrahi’s work—from the use of color and prints, to witty designs that touch on issues of race, religion, class, and politics. The core of the exhibition features iconic designs from the Isaac Mizrahi New York clothing label (1987–1998), the “semi-couture” collections (2003–2011), and the trailblazing line for Target (2002–2008).
The show is comprised of 42 “looks” that include clothing, hats, jewelry, shoes, accessories, and costumes for the theater, the opera, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Also featured are the designer’s original drawings, performance stills and behind-the-scenes photographs.
A multi-screen video installation showcases a variety of content drawn from film and television cameos and runway shows.
—Germaine Clair is a graphic designer and Art Director for Jewish News. Photographs by Brooks Johnson.