Talking fashion with Ashley, Isaac & Robin
Last night, Isaac Mizrahi, Ashley Olsen and the Washington Post's Robin Givhan trekked uptown to the 92nd Street Y to talk "The Future of Women's Fashion" with moderator Cindi Leive, Glamour's editor in chief. Topics...
On Michelle Obama: Mizrahi: “She’s so smart and inspiring to me. Especially since she doesn’t wear a boucle suit and spectator shoes. It’s so refreshing.” Givhan: “We have seen First Cleavage. And we have seen First Thighs.”
On Ashley’s age:
Mizrahi: I can’t believe you’re only 23. That’s horrifying to me.”
On why some love to hate fashion:
Givhan: “It’s purely cultural. People don’t put fashion in the same category as visual arts, as paintings or sculptures. People can be condescending because fashion is considered a women’s industry. Is spending $2,500 on football season tickets a waste and shallow and ridiculous? No, but spending $2,500 on a dress is frivolous.”
On how they decided on their outfits for the evening:
Givhan: “I came up from Washington and only brought a small bag so I wanted to wear a dress. And I didn’t want to wear black and fade into a big lump on stage.” (outfit: tan and black dress, opaque tights, black platforms)
Olsen: “I wanted to be comfortable.” (outfit: layered white dress, black jacket, towering maroon stilettos)
Mizrahi: “This is the only thing that fits. I am an avid cook and there are recipes I’m creating for QVC, like for cheesecakes. Every weekend I bake.” (outfit: black T-shirt, scarf and pants, felt clogs)
On trends they love:
Mizrahi: “Low-heeled shoes.”
Olsen: “I am loving my Tom’s shoes.”
Givhan: “I like being tall so it’s going to be a sad day when platforms go away.”
On trends they hate:
Givhan: “The Eighties. Bu-bye!”
Mizrahi: “Really? But I think it’s time for structure and time for bigger shoulders.”
Givhan: “That’s fine, but I have a problem with harem pants.”
Olsen: “I’ll pass on this question.”
On the future of fashion. It will be…
Givhan: “More democratic.”
Olsen: “More exciting and more fun.”
Mizrahi: “Less obvious. It will be about tiny little crazy trends that no one understands.”
Photos: Joyce Culver for the 92nd Street Y
