Simply NEL

Tis the Season for Dresses

Designer of the Month: Isaac Mizrahi

The only fashion designer you’ll ever see wearing a red bandana is Brooklyn born Isaac Mizrahi. A connoisseur of color and a diviner of inspiration, Mizrahi flamboyantly shows women everywhere how to have style.

Mizrahi began giving style advice to his mother and her friends as a small boy and was given a sewing machine at age ten. His first succuss was in 1987 at a Bergdorf Goodman trunk show, where he received praise from fashion editors and orders from top retailers.

In the 1990’s Mizrahi created his own seasonal collections for the runway, from 2002 to 2008 he created his own line for Target, and Mizrahi was hired as the creative director for Liz Claiborne in 2008.  

In the last couple of years Mizrahi has shown collections for New York Fashion Week, including his latest Spring 2012 collection.

Fast Facts about Isaac Mizrahi:

• He was born into an Egyptian Jewish family
• At 15 he launched his own label, IS New York
• In 1992 the French fashion house, Chanel, bought a stake in the company, but pulled out in 1998 due to financial losses
• In Fall 2005 the Isaac Show debuted on the Style Network
• He will appear as a judge, later this year, for the new Lifetime show Project Runway: All Stars.

Must read Mizrahi book:

How to Have Style

Must see Mizrahi film:

Unzipped (1995)

Look of the Month: Fall is here

Fall is here by designsbynel featuring a yellow gold necklace

Fall is here and layering begins. I just bought this black and white striped long-sleeve dress from Forever 21, and this is how I would dress it for fall.

A red cardigan or blazer would give a pop of color, but any color cardigan or blazer would work here, since the dress is black and white. Tights are a must for fall and to make it warmer some black lace socks that just peek out of the combat boots. A heeled black boot would work here or a tall black boot.

I love how certain floral designs compliment black and white stripes. These are two patterns I think work well together. So, the floral scarf is there to give another unexpected pop and pattern.

I just bought those gold spiked earrings from Forever 21 as well, and think they go great here, complimented by the Michael Kors gold watch.

If the weather is really cold at night add a black leather jacket over top. Stay warm!