Our resident film buff 💪, Kate Corcoran, takes on fashion films, whether they be classics for every fashion girl's watchlist or surprising finds with looks that dazzle.
Unzipped - 1995
Douglas Keeve
The. Best. Fashion. Doc. PERIOD.
Unzipped follows Isaac Mizrahi as he creates his Fall 1994 collection after a very meh Spring collection. The pressure is on to create something fab.
I know what you’re thinking right now, “What? Kate, come on, we’ve read enough of your reviews to know... You clearly just fall in love with any and all charismatic Jewish men, and that’s why you love this doc. How is Unzipped different from any other fashion doc I’ve seen before?”
First, thank you for being a fan. But oy, harsh!
Now, can it! And keep reading!
Partly why Unzipped is so great is because the 90s are back! It’s a fun time capsule and all the heavy hitters make an appearance – Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Andre Leon Talle, and even then supermodel-husbands Richard Gere and Kyle MacLachlan (for about a combined 4 seconds but still thrilling).
"...Douglas Keeve only gave us 73 minutes! Why Douglas?! Why? Why? Why?! We want MORE!"
It’s a time of no smartphones, no social media, no internet, no fear?! The celebrities felt more glamorous, and our current household fashion names were just lil' up-and-comers. It’s also all shot in black and white except for a few key moments, which really just adds to the romanticized 90s NYC vibes.
What you really leave this doc with, though, is a true and deep love for Isaac. Which is actually very impressive because Douglas Keeve only gave us 73 minutes! Why Douglas?! Why? Why? Why?! We want MORE!
Douglas was actually Isaac’s boyfriend at the time of production, making his ability to capture Isaac being raw and real. It’s really an intimate look at a creative in the throws of their process.
"He’s dramatic, hilarious, extroverted, dropping names, playfully mocking actors, fighting with his closest friends – it’s all there."
Yes, Isaac is a professional and brilliant, but you also see him second-guessing himself and making mistakes and not living as glamorously as you probably envisioned. Isaac’s guard is clearly down. He isn’t trying to impress the director, and he’s not acting in front of the camera.
He’s dramatic, hilarious, extroverted, dropping names, playfully mocking actors, fighting with his closest friends – it’s all there. You leave this doc wanting to be his best friend – and you feel like you would be if you ever got the chance to meet him!
Isaac and Douglas actually broke up shortly after Unzipped premiered. Apparently, Isaac didn’t like how he was depicted. I keep wondering what he saw while watching, because I haven’t heard or read about anyone not leaving this doc absolutely in love with him.
If only we could see ourselves through the eyes of others!
The visuals! You can’t underestimate the visuals!
- Isaac’s bandanas and their versatility.
- Naomi Campbell’s naval piercing!
- Isaac dressing the models – oh, how all of us at HI have been in that exact position!
- The chaotic side of the runway…
