Between working on 'The Fashion Show,' opening his own boutique in Manhattan and making his directorial debut, designer Isaac Mizrahi isn't slowing down anytime soon. "My life doesn't feel overwhelming -- it feels full," he assured PopEater.
On his latest project, Bravo TV's 'The Fashion Show,' Mizrahi has faced mixed feedback, as the reality competition replaces the big, fashionable shoes 'Project Runway' left behind when it moved to Lifetime. Mizrahi doesn't seem fazed by the comparisons though.
Designer Isaac Mizrahi poses for a photograph during a live taping of Isaac Mizrahi's 'Tell Me Everything' show at the SIRIUS XM Studio on May 7, 2009 in New York City.
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Designer Isaac Mizrahi hosts a live taping of Isaac Mizrahi's 'Tell Me Everything' show at the SIRIUS XM Studio on May 7, 2009 in New York City.
Neilson Barnard, Getty Images
Designer Isaac Mizrahi and Fern Malice pose for a photograph during a live taping of Isaac Mizrahi's 'Tell Me Everything' show at the SIRIUS XM Studio on May 7, 2009 in New York City.
Neilson Barnard, Getty Images
Designer Isaac Mizrahi (R) hosts a live taping of Isaac Mizrahi's 'Tell Me Everything' show at the SIRIUS XM Studio on May 7, 2009 in New York City.
On the show, Mizrahi (along with Kelly Rowland and Fern Malis) plays host over a group of designers, who create runway shows each week and are judged by a live audience. Throughout the show, Mizrahi finds a good mix combining Heidi Klum's star power and Tim Gunn's eye for fashion.
"'The Fashion Show' is very different. It is more about competition and seeing what really goes into making clothing before it hits the runway," he said. "Competition is the new black," he said ? reiterating the show's tag line.
While Mizrahi was ready to tackle the responsibly of a fashion adviser, he wasn't prepared for the emotional drama. "The show is a surprise a second and very engrossing. I swear to you there were a couple times I actually lost it and cried when people were kicked off," he added.
At the end of the day though, Mizrahi hopes this show can inspire people. "If people get anything from me, it's because I am getting so much more from them. I learn as much as I teach," he said.
As Mizrahi waits to ride out the success of 'The Fashion Show,' he is already busy working on other big projects. While he prepares for the opening of his first ever shop in Manhattan, the 47-year-old designer also revealed he'll be joining Julie Saul to help curate an art show at her Chelsea gallery.
And don't limit Mizrahi to just a fashion obsessed designer. He is making his directorial debut next summer at the Opera Theater in St. Louis for 'A Little Night Music.' "That is going to be really fun. I'm directing and designing the costumes, so it's going to be crazy," he said. "My life is very full ... I wouldn't want it any other way," he said.
Isaac Mizrahi's Q&A with PopEater
Who is your inspiration? "Martha Stewart. She does everything in the world and never seems ruffled. I am trying to do that now and settle back into this crazy frenetic pace and take everything with total aplomb ... See, even when it?s semi-not working [for Martha], she is always there to pick up the pieces quickly. I love her. She's my role model."
Which celebrity is a top style icon? "Kate Moss because her style doesn't look forced. It looks so thrown together. She has an amorphous, crazy, and fabulous ecosystem of style. Kate Moss is one of the most stylish women around."
About his fashion talk-show, 'Tell Me Everything,' on Sirius Radio: "I love the idea of not having to be visual but to be literary. You have to describe what you're looking at and put it all into words on the radio. And I love the idea of conversation, which is why the show is called, 'Tell Me Everything.' "
His Fashion advice: "We always are saying people should find their own personal style, but after a while, if you have the same damn style every day, it gets a little boring ... I think everybody needs to go shopping in their own closet and take a very good stock of what you have. Then you have to force yourself to buy key items."
Should people spend money on fashion during the recession? "If you walk by a handbag that you?ll regret not having, you must buy it. But before you buy, just do a little research ? that's all. Honestly, stores are having huge sales, so it's like looting. You need to spend money to save money."
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the NY Public Library on February 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: A model walks the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2008 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 on February 6, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for IMG)
