With Amber Lee Ettinger.

Isaac Mizrahi returns to New York Fashion Week with a big splash. His show, which he tagged “Astaire Case or Obstacle Course” was styled after the backlot of a movie soundstage circa 1936. Think of the Golden Age of Hollywood, of RKO Pictures, of Astaire and Rogers and you’ll have the right image. The show used up all the space between the seats, and sent the models down the catwalk in slow, swooping curves. It was by far the best staged show of the entire week. Mizrahi eschewed the usual straight walk down the runway and back, and had his models enter by climbing then descending a set of stairs. Then they followed intentionally obvious blocking lines and marks, like you’d see on a soundstage during dress rehearsals. One model had to cross under simulated rain, with a stage hand deploying an umbrella and escorting her through the sprinkles. The last model was shuttled out in an “EZ-GO” golf cart like a leading lady starlet traveling from her trailer to the set. The entire production was set to a live jazz ensemble that perfectly matched the action and mood of the theatrics. Bravo Mr. Mizrahi! Welcome back to the big show!!