Mizrahi: An Unruly History…


Jewish Museum
Jewish Museum

Culture, darling.

Along with amazing restaurants, interesting neighborhoods that cry out to be explored, sometimes inspiring sports teams, compelling people, captivating music, incredible Broadway shows, NYC offers some of the best museums in the world.

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Last week my friend and I ventured to the Jewish Museum to explore the Isaac Mizrahi exhibit.

Jewish Museum Lobby
Jewish Museum Lobby

Of late, many think Mizrahi and free associate with Target and QVC.

Yet, Mizrahi exemplifies the intersection of high style and pop culture to perfection.

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Mizrachi found his fame and fortune with his imaginative couture line.

250 works are featured in the innovative American clothing designer’s collection which is currently on display at the Jewish Museum.

It is a riot of color and unique textures.

Jewish Museum
Jewish Museum

Besides the fact that everything that is showcased in the Jewish Museum is appealing because the former Felix M. Warburg mansion is absolutely gorgeous with exquisite lines (like Mizrahi’s clothing), the Mizrahi exhibit is truly engaging.

As a boy at the Yeshiva in Flatbush, he sketched fashion in his prayer books. His passion led him to Manhattan’s High School of the Performing Arts and then to Parsons School of Design.

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He designed for theater and film as well as for women.

Mizrahi Costumes
Mizrahi Costumes

He created costumes for Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris and Stephen Sondheim’s, A Little Night Music.

Fabric Samples
Fabric Samples

The entrance to the exhibit is plastered with fabric samples which Mizrahi has collected over the years.

The clothes are beautiful in their simplicity and creativity.

Coca Cola Dress
Coca Cola Dress

On display, is a dress comprised of Coco Cola cans.

Mizrahi worked with the charity, We Can, which employed homeless New Yorkers to gather and flatten Coke cans. These were shipped to a luxury Parisian sequin maker who cut the aluminum into paillettes.

The paillettes were sent to India along with the dress patterns and were hand-embroidered onto silk and then returned to Mizrahi’s NY workshop.

Dress Made Of Moving Blankets
Dress Made Of Moving Blankets

Also on view is an ingenious dress cut from storage pads and moving blankets.

Hold your hat…revealed is a hat made from a handbag.

Mizrahi Videos
Mizrahi Videos

In the final room there is an immersive, continuous video showcasing outtakes from his talk show, TV and movie appearances.

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Take the tour which spans Mizrahi’s collection from 1988 to the present day:

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Russ & Daughters, an institution for over 100 years, just opened a branch of their iconic lower east side institution on the lower level of the Jewish Museum.

Russ & Daughters in the Jewish Museum
Russ & Daughters in the Jewish Museum

The kosher, 70-seat restaurant is the purveyor of quality smoked fish, bagels and traditional baked good.

Russ & Daughters
Russ & Daughters

The fare is classic Jewish deli and is a perfect fit with the museum.

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Mizrahi explores the material world of color and design…join the fashion parade as it winds through the contemporary collection and have a little something to nosh on while simulating all your senses.

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Isaac Mizrahi, An Unruly History on display March 18-August 7th, 2016.

The Jewish Museum 1109 Fifth Avenue NYC. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-5:45pm, Thursday 11am-8pm. Closed Wednesday’s and all major Jewish holidays. Adults $15, Seniors $12, Thursday 5-8pm Pay-What-You-Wish.

Russ & Daughters Sunday 9am-5:45pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11am-5:45pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, closed Saturday.

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