Isaac Mizrahi's 'Unzipped' Documentary Returns to Theaters After 30-Year Hiatus
The 1995 fashion documentary 'Unzipped' is being re-released after being unavailable for decades. The film, which captured the making of Mizrahi's Fall 1994 collection, will screen in limited theaters starting Sept. 25. Mizrahi discusses the film's restoration and his career.
The documentary originated as a low-budget passion project helmed by Douglas Keeve, Mizrahi's then-partner and a photographer by trade. It chronicled the designer's creative journey toward his Fall 1994 runway presentation, beginning with his reaction to critical reviews of an earlier collection. After earning an Audience Award at Sundance, the film was picked up for distribution by Harvey Weinstein and later screened at Cannes.
For roughly three decades, the film remained largely inaccessible due to unresolved rights and ownership complications. A restored version premiered at Sundance in January 2025, nearly thirty years after its original festival debut. Janus Films subsequently acquired North American distribution rights, scheduling a limited theatrical release for September 25 followed by a broader October expansion. Mizrahi, who has since lost thirty pounds using GLP-1 medications, continues to work from his New York studio.
This re-release could reintroduce a landmark fashion documentary to contemporary audiences, potentially reshaping how younger viewers understand the genre's origins. It may also bolster Mizrahi's public profile as he navigates his current creative endeavors, while reminding industry observers of an era when fashion films were raw and spontaneous rather than polished productions. The restoration could spark renewed appreciation for 1990s fashion history among both longtime admirers and newcomers discovering the film for the first time.