Isaac Mizrahi Inks New Sportswear Deal
Is Isaac Mizrahi the busiest man in fashion?
Following Xcel Brands' purchase of his licensing business in September 2011, the New York City-based designer has inked 31 licensing deals across 70 product categories, the latest of which will be a just-announced return to sportswear, dresses, and suits, Women's Wear Daily reports.
Under an exclusive agreement with The Jump Apparel Group, the three new collections are being prepped for a Spring 2013 launch, which will bring Mizrahi in touch with a "better market."
"I’ll try to bring [fashion] forward even more," Mizrahi tells WWD of the new venture, citing an emphasis on strong color.
"You can’t get enough color. Now for me, it’s so gratifying that everyone really wants color. It’s one of my strongest suits. The brand stands for color. I think one thing I’ll always try to bring to the party is a classic, ageless wit."
What else would you expect from the man who once sent candy-colored poodles down the runway? As for suiting, Mizrahi intends to mix things up—literally—and play around with new fabrics.
"The idea is that there is a new suit out there," he says. "Everyone loves a blazer and skirt, and I’ll be making those, but I see a Windbreaker suit, a mismatched suit. I see a lot of ways to offer a new suit in wool blends, stretch cottons, and French terry."
A staff of 28 full-time designers will help Mizrahi, who has recently inked deals for denim, home decor, bridalwear, fragrance, and more, complete the collections by August, when they will be introduced to the market.
Pricing details have yet to be announced, but Jump Apparel Group is looking to sell the collections in department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s and Nordstrom.
We're ready whenever you are, guys.
