Unzipped

Unzipped is a portrait of the designer Isaac Mizrahi, and at the same time a film about the making of his autumn collection for the fashion show in New York 1994. It is a documentary that gives a more intimate view than Robert Alt-man's Pret-a-Porter - Ready to Wear (1994) did. A look into a world of fashion which is both trendy, informative, authentic and revealing, but most of all entertaining. Those taking part are clearly aware of the camera and casually play along. This is also an odd film since it is neither a chronicle over Mizrahi's life and career nor a critical view of one of our society's most glamourous institutions. Instead it is a well-made documentary which shows the planning of a fashion show step by step. We even get to see the designer consulting a magical Ouja board before the making of his collection. Mizrahi's eccentric and unique personality is revealed through interviews with his staff, but mainly through his own stories which sets the boundaries and give the film its original narrative structure. One of the most entertaining parts concerns the genius of the creator. An attempt is made to demystify his sources of inspiration; the American popular culture and the glamourous stars of Hollywood. With wit and energy the artist describes his obsession with creating a new Eskimo look. It is obvious that he has spent a great deal of time in front of the white screen and the tele-vision set. He blurts out lines and mimes scenes from different movies. The most entertaining parts are when the director mixes Mizrahi's facial expressions with the actual scenes from the films. The description of the various preparations for the show is very detailed. From designs to factory orders, cutting, tailoring and the selection of models, the documentary creates a thriller in its own way, all the way up to the climactic autumn show. The show in itself is daring, complex and tense. In the same way as a Broad-way debut it offers its creator frustration, anticipation and anxiety. The audience is, as it should be, celebrities en masse and critical fashion writers. The crème de la crème of today's models pass in front of the camera: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista & Co. The day after the show we get to accompany Mizrahi on his lonely walk which has been trod by most entertainers before him - to the nearest newsstand to pick up the reviews. MAD

Premiärstatus
Nordisk premiär: Medverkande
Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford: Producent
Michael Alden: Foto
Ellen Kuras: Musik
Various: Talat språk
English