Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/861960
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHERINE MCGANN/GETTY IMAGES (RUNWAY); PATRICK DEMARCHELIER/ CONDE NAST/CONTOUR BY GETTY IMAGES (CAMPBELL); PL GOULD/IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES (JACOBS) "THE FIRST MOMENTS OF GETTING ONSTAGE, YOU'RE LOOKING RIGHT OUT OF THE CANNON'S MOUTH AND JUST ABOUT TO BE SHOT INTO OBLIVION." —isaac mizrahi Chicago—there used to be this great store called Ultimo and I would go there like three times a year. Sometimes I invent reasons to [come here] because it's such a fun, cool-looking city with a vibrant art scene and a big grasp on culture. How has your relationship with fashion changed since your Unzipped days? I feel a lot more resolve. I'm almost embarrassed that people think I cared that much about what was in and out, because that's what a fashion designer is supposed to really care about. Like, 'Uh-oh, opaque hose this season, not sheer black hose.' I don't care about that stuff, and frankly I find it's a dead idea. What I loved was textiles and the design of something, and I still do. What do you enjoy most about performing? The first moments of getting up onstage. You're so scared but energized and excited to be there—you're looking right out of the the cannon's mouth and just about to be shot into oblivion. And really, every performance is that. Who are some performers that have inspired you? One of my best friends in the world, Sandra Bernhard. And Elaine Stritch, Eartha Kitt, Bobby Short… Everybody has their own style. What's great about cabaret is that whatever you prepare, you've got in your back pocket, but the thing that happens when you get in that room with those people is what happens. And to me, it's definitely more exciting when you're not sure what the show's going to be. It's a live thing— every show is different. September 29 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., 312- 733-9463; citywinery.com . clockwise from top: Mizrahi following a runway show in the '90s; supermodel Naomi Campbell attired in Mizrahi; with fellow fashion wunderkind Marc Jacobs in 1991. 72 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SCENE MUST-SEE