Although my longtime friend designer Isaac Mizrahi (one of my favorite designers!) won't actually be doing a show this Fashion Week (he'll be shooting a look book, and hosting showroom visits by appointment), I chatted with him about his new collection, his inspirations and "the alarming number of different psychic readings" he's been getting of late.

Kim Hastreiter: Are you sad summer's over?

Isaac Mizrahi: I'm thrilled that summer is over. I don't like the hot weather and this year was particularly awful cause I've had to move out of my apartment for a renovation.

KH: Were you inspired by anything in particular this past summer that we might see in some future collection?

IM: I am inspired by some music that Mark Morris sent me for a ballet I'm designing for him in San Francisco.

KH: Where will you be showing this season?

IM: We decided not to have a showing, which is a mixed blessing. In some ways it's not as exciting cause there's no "event." In other ways it's incredibly wonderful just getting lost in these clothes and focusing on the perfection of something not for the sake of it walking down a runway. Rather than being super busy this time, I get to be super reflective. We are setting up a small shooting and doing a dossier of pictures to send out. We're also doing showroom by appointment.

KH: Can you tell us a bit about the collection? Any hints?

IM: There is a feeling of cracked things in the collection; beading that's cracked in strategic spots, tulle that spills through the cracks of taffeta.

KH: What's your favorite look from your new collection?

IM: My favorite dress is a striped/floral bugle beaded gown that appears to be cracked in spots.

KH: What are you doing these days to stay relaxed?

IM: I swim to stay sane. I'm also doing more yoga and having an alarming number of different psychic readings. The greatest thing in the world that Arnold (my wonderful fiance) got me is this crazy tarot-ish card reading app for my computer called called Ascended Masters.

KH: Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic in these slightly Armageddon-ish times?

IM: I was feeling really anxious about the earthquake/hurricane but now I feel like we're past that and we survived and I feel happier and stronger than ever. And fatter. I was stress-eating. So I'm kind of looking forward to beginning a fitness regime some time after the collection. I swear, after all that, I have a renewed sense of my life.

PAPERMAG's Complete Spring 2012 Fashion Coverage