Isaac Mizrahi

What is the Isaac Mizrahi aesthetic for this fall?

It was very important for me to create [clothes that are] comfortable, chic and fabulous. . . . but I also want my clothing to be cozy. That's the most important thing. In the face of this economic disaster, we need luxurious, cozy clothing.

How important will the defined waist be for fall? What is it about the silhouette that is quintessentially feminine?

I did volume this fall. I did very oversized shirting, big coats, so the defined waist is essential to my designs. . . . Somehow when you accentuate the waist, the rest of the body becomes more important: The bustline becomes important, the hips become important. It's a womanly thing to have a small waist. You will always look sexy, and we know nothing trumps sexy.

Paisley or plaid?

For me, plaid. I did some paisley, but I did many, many plaids. I like the way paisley and plaids go together, though. I mixed them. They are beautiful.

Peep toes after September?

I think so, but I'm sort of over peep toes. . . . Frankly, I'm in a whole new direction. I like lower-heeled closed-toe shoes. They look fresher. I'm tired of those monster shoes with peep toes, but a lot of stylists like them, so they will be around for a while.

What accessory complements your collection best?

The most interesting accessory I did for fall was the handbag hat, and honestly, I want to take that concept forward.

When it comes to a splash of color, what color makes the best splash?

I think bright pink, magenta, Day-Glo pink. Anything that has a pink cast to it . . . or even orange. I love warm colors. Bright pink. Bright orange. Bright yellow. Day-Glo is a good splash of color for me.

Envelope clutch or tote?

I think both, actually. But for me it's about having a briefcase-sized bag for women to put their stuff in. So maybe the tote? Women have more things to carry around.

What should be every woman's go-to piece this fall?

It should be a blanket coat. I did them 25 years ago . . . for some reason, this whole cozy thing entering our lives this fall makes me want to bring them back. It protects you from the elements. It protects you from mean people. It protects you from foreclosure. Well, not really,

but you get it.

There is a lot of ruching and ruffles in the fall collections. Where is the most alluring place to put a ruffle on a woman's silhouette?

I think at her shoulders. I love the ruffly shoulder thing.

A-line or pencil skirt?

Pencil. I don't know. It feels fresher.

What fall must-have can we take from spring?

A belt. A belt is moving forward, forward, forward!