All the way from “Project Runway: All Stars,” fashion designer and TV host Isaac Mizrahi will be the keynote speaker on opening night of the upcoming 41st annual Jewish Book Festival.
Mizrahi has worn many hats through the years, in addition to that of designer of notable collections, and now adds autobiographist to his list of accolades.
His new book, “I.M.: A Memoir,” gives a candid and touching look back on his life so far. From growing up gay in a sheltered Syrian Jewish Orthodox family to his success in the fashion industry, Mizrahi shares the glamour and glitz, along with the grit.
His product line Isaac Mizrahi for Target was a big hit from the beginning, with fashion and accessories, bedding, housewares and pet products. He designed for Liz Claiborne for a time, and then launched another label, IsaacMizrahiLIVE! on QVC. He later sold his brand to Xcel Brands, Inc., but remains involved with his brand.
The movie, “Unzipped,” chronicles the release of his fall 1994 collection. He has appeared on a number of TV shows, including “The Apprentice” and “Sex and the City.” He was in movies, like “Hollywood Ending” and “Small Time Crooks,” and was a contestant on “Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational.”
He made his directorial debut in 2010, with “A Little Night Music” by Stephen Sondheim at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and also designed the costumes for the production.
He has been a red carpet correspondent at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. He’s even a jazz singer.
“I.M.: A Memoir” is his second book, though it is his first autobiography. His first publication, “How to Have Style” was released in 2008.
Mizrahi will speak at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3 at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur. A Q&A and book signing will follow his keynote address, and copies of “I.M.: A Memoir” will be available for purchase.
The Jewish Book Festival is nationally recognized for its excellence and its size as one of the largest in the country, with more than 10,000 audience members annually. People from all backgrounds and faiths attend festival events to hear premier authors speak on topics such as history, music, politics, cooking, family, religion, sports and more.
During the 2019 Festival, more than 30 additional authors will present their latest titles, including two New York Times best-selling authors: novelist Pam Jenoff, with her book “The Lost Girls of Paris” on Nov. 4, and Dr. Michael Roizen with “What To Eat When” on Nov. 11.
The Premier Pass is $110, and allows entry to opening night and all Jewish Book Festival events through June 2020. Passes are on sale now and can be ordered by calling 314-442-3299 or visiting stljewishbookfestival.org. Tickets for opening night with Mizrahi are available for $45. Student tickets to any author event are free with a valid student ID at the door.
Nearly all Jewish Book Festival events take place at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex at 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. The festival, which runs Nov. 3 to 15, is a program of the Jewish Community Center.
The J is an interactive, multi-generational gathering place that offers a variety of programs and services to both the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. The Jewish Community Center provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming, and offers two state-of-the art fitness facilities, all designed to promote physical and spiritual growth. Everyone is welcome at the J.
