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anniew415's review against another edition
4.0
Very very good - long read though! Great story. Fun and personal and introspective and lots of tea-spilling.
bkish's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating tale of a famous man's life up to now at age of 58. This is Isaac Mizrahi a jet setter a clothing designer a brooklynite orthodox jew a gay man. He has had a rich complex life. I am now trying to make sense of it all. Its puzzling
I related right away to the book of his life as I am from Brooklyn and jewish. Places he mentioned I know very well. He is a consummate new yorker. In his home now with his husband Arthur he has a very large space from buying up three different units.
One word I would use to describe him is melodramatic. Also he had very serious steps to accept himself and go out with being a man who liked men. He also really likes women and that is how he became such a fabulous clothing designer. He grew up with his mother and two sisters and the father was also in clothing business and became wealthy. Isaac is familiar w wealth.
He also struggled for most of his life with his large size altho Avedon the photographer his friend advised him to be fat cause that is him and said from Avedon thats something to note. Isaac is a full out name dropper and he knew everyone and most everyone is his friend.
He has recently since leaving behind clothing design become a "performer".
Something about him I didnt like and yet somethings about him I do like. I think this is a very honest writing. He has always had a sleeping disorder that seems to be undiagnosed. He doesnt sleep so in his large home in the Village (probably in the West) NYC he and his husband do not sleep together and do not have the same bedroom. I think this is part of what puzzles me about him. Maybe what spurs him on is the drama...
Judy
I related right away to the book of his life as I am from Brooklyn and jewish. Places he mentioned I know very well. He is a consummate new yorker. In his home now with his husband Arthur he has a very large space from buying up three different units.
One word I would use to describe him is melodramatic. Also he had very serious steps to accept himself and go out with being a man who liked men. He also really likes women and that is how he became such a fabulous clothing designer. He grew up with his mother and two sisters and the father was also in clothing business and became wealthy. Isaac is familiar w wealth.
He also struggled for most of his life with his large size altho Avedon the photographer his friend advised him to be fat cause that is him and said from Avedon thats something to note. Isaac is a full out name dropper and he knew everyone and most everyone is his friend.
He has recently since leaving behind clothing design become a "performer".
Something about him I didnt like and yet somethings about him I do like. I think this is a very honest writing. He has always had a sleeping disorder that seems to be undiagnosed. He doesnt sleep so in his large home in the Village (probably in the West) NYC he and his husband do not sleep together and do not have the same bedroom. I think this is part of what puzzles me about him. Maybe what spurs him on is the drama...
Judy
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Isaac Mizrahi is best known for being an American fashion designer, but he is so much more. His biography peels back the veil to reveal his upbringing as a Sephardic Jew, whose family was religious, observing traditions regarding foods, and most importantly, being Syrian. Readers will get a chance to get to know Isaac as a person, not just the celebrity. A lovely read for those who love fashion and the fashion industry.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
readbookswithbecca's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this as an audiobook, but I don't think I would have finished it if I read it in print.
morregev's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book and read it as quickly as I could. Loved learning about his life, the NY fashion scene, and lots of how clothes are made and designed.
ampenyak's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
britterization's review against another edition
4.0
I've seen Isaac Mizrahi around (mainly on Project Runway, don't judge), and I definitely had a ton of his clothes from Target, so I was pretty interested to read his backstory, especially as it involved him growing up as a gay kid in the Syrian Jewish Community in Brooklyn in the 60s and 70s. There's a lot to unpack there, and that's largely the subject of the first half of the book. Then, we get into his fascinating career in showbiz and fashion which takes up most of the second half of the book - I think most readers will prefer one to the other.
Ultimately, Mizrahi comes off as an interesting, kind, if affected (images of Moira Rose popped into my head more than once) person, and the memoir is worth a read for those who enjoy memoirs, social commentary and fashion. 3.5 stars bumped up to four, 'cause, like I said, he's a likable guy.
Ultimately, Mizrahi comes off as an interesting, kind, if affected (images of Moira Rose popped into my head more than once) person, and the memoir is worth a read for those who enjoy memoirs, social commentary and fashion. 3.5 stars bumped up to four, 'cause, like I said, he's a likable guy.