How to Have Style by Isaac Mizrahi

From the Publisher

The king of real-world chic shares his tips and award-winning flair in a colorful guidebook designed to unleash every woman's inner fashionista.

A twenty-year veteran of the fashion industry, Isaac Mizrahi has become a unique icon in the world of style. He doesn't do "makeovers" or take pleasure in berating the way a woman dresses. Instead, he is a problem solver—and a titan of trendsetting who believes that fashion should be seriously fun. Showcasing his singular approach to looking great, How to Have Style begins with the premise that all women should wear what inspires them. Using twelve real women facing real wardrobe dilemmas, Mizrahi walks readers through the fundamentals of finding a personal style that reflects their authentic selves. Other features include:

• A personal fashion questionnaire and how to create an inspiration board that unlocks the secrets to individual style
• Hundreds of fashion tips on everything from clothes and accessories to expert advice on skin care and makeup to mixing patterns and wearing color
• How to become a collector instead of just a shopper

Dubbed a "one-man brand" by BusinessWeek, Mizrahi shares his style rules on everything from boots to bags, from skirt length to the right undergarments. With more than 400 dazzling photographs as well as Mizrahi's own sketches, How to Have Style makes it simple to look your best.

Publishers Weekly

Clothing designer Mizrahi, current creative director for Liz Claiborne and a semi-regular television personality, presents a complete style guide in 12 case studies, meant to address attitudes and budgets as well as size, shape and age. Looking at twelve women stuck in a fashion rut, Mizrahi tailors his approach to the specific needs of each ("When Traveling on Business," "Reinvent Yourself," "Be Funny and Sexy," "Wake up from a Jeans Coma") while drawing out universal lessons and inspiration for readers. While some of his bon mots are quite simple ("A girl can do and say anything she wants when she looks like a lady"), the makeovers themselves, captured in numerous photographs and laid out in clear, clutter-free spreads, are the real testament to his wizardry. A process that includes crafting an inspiration board and filling out Mizrahi's questionnaire, making the investment of time and energy ("you have to try on lots and lots of clothes"), and gaining the confidence:. "Know when a particular style doesn't work for you and pass on it. Confidence and knowing what's right for you is 95 percent of style." This chic, easy-to-use guide should make readers more knowing and confident.
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Meagan P. Storey - Library Journal

Couture and ready-to-wear fashion designer Mizrahi knows style. In addition to designing his own collections for over two decades, he brought one of the first budget fashion lines to a mainstream retailer (Isaac Mizrahi for Target). Here, Mizrahi stresses that having style is about trusting instincts and investing time; he begins by encouraging readers to create an inspiration board and complete a style questionnaire. This process was used successfully with 12 "case studies" (makeovers) for women of varying ages, body shapes, and style needs. Entertaining and surprisingly practical, How To Have Style competes with recent similar titles such as Nina Garcia's The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, Rachel Zoe's Style A to Zoe, and Kim France and Andrea Linett's The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. Recommended for larger public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ6/1/08.]

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