Production has begun on “Izzy,” a feature documentary about late fashion designer Isabel Toledo.
Directed by Chiara Clemente, the film will chronicle Toledo’s life with her husband and creative partner Ruben Toledo.
“I trust Chiara to tell our story,” Ruben said in a statement on Monday. “She sees our love; how unique and rare it is. And, as an artist herself, she has such insight into the creative process. I am honored that she is making this documentary about the love of my life.”
Both Cuban immigrants, Isabel and Ruben rose to prominence in the fashion and art worlds of New York City in the 1980s. Isabel died in 2019 from breast cancer. She was 59.
In 2009, Isabel famously designed the dress that Michele Obama wore to Barack Obama’s inauguration. “I knew that what I wore to my husband’s first inauguration would go down in history,” the former first lady wrote in an email to the New York Times at the time of Isabel’s death, “so I wanted something that would not only live up to the moment, but would also stand up to the freezing cold of that January day.
“With her incredible creativity and masterful talent, Isabel designed a beautiful lemongrass outfit that I just loved,” she continued. “She more than met the moment — for that day and for all of history.”
Isabel’s memoir “Roots of Style: Weaving Together Life, Love, and Fashion,” which included illustrations by Ruben, was published in 2012.
“I am honored and humbled to tell the story of Isabel and Ruben, two people so joined together that you never saw one without the other…until she passed,” said Clemente, whose credits include directing “Our City Dreams,” a 2009 documentary about five women artists in New York City, as well as several shorts and works for museums, galleries and brands. “I am excited to share the inspiration they have given me with a broader audience who will, no doubt, find joy and optimism in their rare love story.”
Ruben is set to announce that “Izzy” is in production at Monday’s Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards ceremony in New York City, where he will receive the CFDA’s newly-named Isabel Toledo Board of Directors Tribute award.
Executive producers of “Izzy” are David Dinerstein and Robert Fyvolent of Mass Distraction Media, the same team behind the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer Of Soul.” Additional executive producers include New York City publishers and culture chroniclers Kim Hastreiter, Paige Powell and Visionaire co-founders Cecilia Dean and James Kaliardos, all of whom have known the Toledos since their early days in New York City.
Composer Thomas Lauderdale of the band Pink Martini will produce the film’s musical score, which will include collaborations with established and emerging Cuban artists.
Clemente’s credits include directing “Our City Dreams,’ a 2009 documentary about five women artists in New York City, as well as several shorts and works for museums, galleries and brands.