I.M.

A Memoir

By: Isaac Mizrahi

Narrated by: Isaac Mizrahi

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

2020 Lambda Literary Award - Nominee

"Mizrahi speaks passionately...the warmth in both his voice and writing creates a singularly satisfying listening experience." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

This program is read by Isaac Mizrahi, whose "warm and wry voice provides an extra incentive to check out this version of his story." (LitHub) 

“Isaac Mizrahi is a true Renaissance man. He can do it all! He’s managed to live several lives in one lifetime." (RuPaul)

Isaac Mizrahi is sui generis: designer, cabaret performer, talk-show host, a TV celebrity. Yet ever since he shot to fame in the late 1980s, the private Isaac Mizrahi has remained under wraps. Until now. 

In I.M., Isaac Mizrahi offers a poignant, candid, and touching look back on his life so far. Growing up gay in a sheltered Syrian Jewish Orthodox family, Isaac had unique talents that ultimately drew him into fashion and later into celebrity circles that read like a who’s who of the 20th and 21st centuries: Richard Avedon, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Wintour, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey, to name only a few. 

In his elegant memoir, Isaac delves into his lifelong battles with weight, insomnia, and depression. He tells what it was like to be an out gay man in a homophobic age and to witness the ravaging effects of the AIDS epidemic. Brimming with intimate details and inimitable wit, Isaac's narrative reveals not just the glamour of his years, but the grit beneath the glitz. Rich with memorable stories from in and out of the spotlight, I.M. illuminates deep emotional truths. 

Praise for I.M.: 

“I.M. has everything! It’s colorful, hysterical, touching, bold, and heartbreaking. It’s about coming of age, creativity, being yourself, Jewish mothers, fashion, art, loss, and glamour. I loved it.” (Andy Cohen, New York Times best-selling author of Superficial)

©2019 Isaac Mizrahi (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

“The key to the warmth and overall success of the memoir is Mizrahi’s unapologetic, bare-all approach as he shares the best and worst aspects of his life…a charming and witty memoir.” (Kirkus)  

Even better then I hoped !

I love Issac so I was really looking forward to this book . When I saw that he was the narrator as well I pre ordered it ! I binged it and loved every minute of it .

A must read in 2019!

In this social media world we live in, where we compare our insides to others outsides, Isaac Mizrahi's memoir is what we need.
His truthful personal story of being born an outsider and his struggles to create his own life are heartening and inspiring and overall just make you feel less lonely and more human.

Wonderful Narration of an Interesting Memoir

I enjoyed this book and especially Isaac Mizrahi’s narration. I think he should continue to write. I’m sure he has more information for another memoir, but I’m inclined to think he is capable of writing something else.

As if…

As if I couldn’t have loved Isaac Mizrahi any more than I already did, he goes and publishes AND NARRATES this book.

OK, Isaac. It’s time for us to just go ahead and be best friends now.

Great Fun with IM

As a long time fan of IM, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of his life. The ups and downs, his background and challenging family. Aren't all Jewish mother's alike? His early years with puppet shows, bullying and awkwardness. We can all relate in some way, others in many ways. His reading the story was entertaining and I laughed out loud often.

I am thrilled that he found love, the love of dogs, what I think he would consider success and hopefully happiness.

It’s Okay

I felt like this book was more for Isaac’s own memory of his life than for the reader’s enjoyment. There was too much detail about his early childhood that seems embellished or impossible to remember. Perhaps he really has that great of a memory but to me it felt over the top. Over all he’s a very interesting guy and the end of the book really tied together some things I didn’t realize about his career trajectory.

Genuinely uplifting

This is an intelligent, soulful memoir by a wonderful person. I am busy today but could not countenance not giving the props that are due. Very well written and read. I also grew up with Alba 66 “shakes” and weight loss meetings, also came to (some) terms with my body in New York City dance classes, am also in love with a man and in a family of quadrapeds. The descriptions of Midwood and lower Manhattan ring true but this transcends its specifics—a universal account of being oneself. Brave, revelatory. Highly recommended. Thanks Isaac. Love to you and everyone you love.

More than a memoir

I have been a lover of all things Isaac since I myself became a part of the fashion world in its many forms. He has always been an icon in my eyes not only because of his talent but also because of the sincere kind human being I’ve always thought him to be. Now the world can see that for themselves and it makes so happy! It is also wonderfully written and loaded with celebrity stories to pour over. All the tales are delivered as if you are sitting across the table from Isaac himself with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other on the edge of your seat waiting for the next juicy detail! It is truly a great memoir of a great artist of our time!

Longer than I expected and too short

It is the choice of the author, telling their autobiography, what to focus on and what to leave out. I was surprised to find myself two thirds in before I.M. was even established as a recognized designer. But the early life experiences always inform ones biography, and I.M. shares childhood experiences in the method that speaks to universal truths, perhaps similarly to Francie Nolan, in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which he references. On many occasions I found myself unexpectedly relating to his story. The chapters are well composed and the book itself can be digested in hour long episodes. I am seriously impressed with his visual memory, or at least, historically-based fiction. I hadn't known about I.M.'s relationship with artist Tibor Kalman and it was wonderful to hear about that. In the same way A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ends, projecting a vast landscape of possibility for the narrator, leaving the reader curious to know what happens next, so the same after this lengthy autobiography, I would read book two.

IM insights and reflections

Great insights to understand appreciate IM innovative creativity and sensitivity
Good read. Appreciate designers motivation and mindset