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NEW YORK, Jun 15, 1999/ FW/ --- Whatever Mark Eisen did to prepare seemed to have worked, as the fashion press and the public passionately embraced his sensual collection. Women’s Wear Daily labeled it an amazing launch and The New York Times named Eisen and four other up-and-coming designers The New Dealers.

Eisen’s family supported him 100% during this time as well. Throughout Eisen’s initial business years in California, his dad finally realized his son had proven himself in fashion. Fortunately, he was at the first collection show to witness Eisen’s success, before he passed away later that year. His mom moved to Israel where she currently lives but hasn’t missed a show yet. At every collection, she sits in the same seat as does Kavalsky, just Eisen’s way of showing his loyalty to his family and friends.

Inspiration from his own country, however, is limited. Because of Apartheid, Eisen explains, individual fashion companies were not allowed to export to South Africa for a long time. The country was starved of true fashion, and craved the fun and excitement of personal expression. But South Africa has become casual very fast and is rapidly getting back into global fashion.

"South Africa is getting the same style messages as NY and LA through magazines and the Internet," says Eisen, who recently visited his hometown for the first time in 12 years. "Fabulous fabrics, great technological construction and creation of shape makes the fashion world very exciting there now."

Eisen’s signature pieces include flat front, narrow pants and a two or three button, single-breasted, narrow lapel, high armhole jacket. "These are definitely two pieces to have in your wardrobe if you think good taste is important," says the designer. Eisen is a connoisseur of good taste. He relies on amazing fabrics and textures. Extraordinary yarn compilations are the foundations of his creations. He cuts suits from fabric made with a high percent of Lycra to keep its shape with movement and flexibility. "These clothes are headed into the year 2000," he predicts. "We will continue to see a great appreciation for clothes with function."

To Eisen, one of the greatest fashion experiences lies in challenging the old fashion houses, something akin to standing up to the big bands of rock ‘n roll. He says, "One has to understand that the next generation is real, is coming, has its own identity, and realize it can contribute something."

While Eisen continues to make his contribution to the fashion world, he contributes to other areas of his life as well. The designer divides his time between his homes in Los Angeles and New York. The former big-time smoker gave up cigarettes on Valentine’s Day of this year and is concentrating on getting into shape with regular workouts.

He’s in love with his current girlfriend, an ex-model from New York who now works as an elementary school teacher. "It’s not that she’s glamorous," says a close staff member, "but since he spoils his girlfriends like crazy, it’s the relationship that is." Spoiling is an understatement. Rumor has it that Eisen once rented an entire screening room on Valentine’s Day to entertain his date with a private showing of Jean Luc Goddard’s classic French film, A Man and A Woman.

Eisen also shows his romantic side by admitting that he’s looking forward to settling down and that he’s very excited to have kids. "I’m ready for it," he says. Maybe they’ll get to travel with him on diving trips to the Caribbean to feed the sharks and on exotic African safaris back in his homeland. Or maybe they’ll go out into the fashion business.

Mark Eisen

Mark Eisen

Mark Eisen

Mark Eisen