Isaac Mizrahi is a top fashion designer whose energy and talent were famously explored in the documentary “unzipped.”

But before becoming a fashionista, he thought about becoming a performer.

"I had a puppet theater in the garage and I wrote songs and I recorded them. And then I went to performing arts High School as a kid, right. And then I got a little bit scared of this idea of the incredible scrutiny, the physical scrutiny that you're under, and the criticism of you," said Mizrahi.

So Mizrahi pursued fashion instead of performance.

"I get very easily bored and to an extent it's a very good trait because you know you keep moving. And that's the secret to at least having an interesting life. Forget about having a happy life, that's just too hard," said Mizrahi.

That helps to explain why Mizrahi decided to perform Cabaret a few years ago. His shows were sellouts. He's back again, with his 4th residency at the Cafe Carlyle. We caught up with him in rehearsals.

Mizrahi says growing up in Brooklyn, no one talked about being gay, but being effeminate was frowned upon.

"At about 9 or 10, I started doing female impersonations. And maybe that's another reason why it's taken me so long to get back on stage because it's always been associated with a slight amount of shame," said Mizrahi.

Today he’s the epitome of self-acceptance. He’s an author, TV personality, QVC network regular, and, yes, an entertainer.

Sure he's dressed nearly every everyone including First Lady Michelle Obama.

Now when fans stop him on the street, they sometimes ask about his singing.

"It makes me happier than almost anything. It makes me happy now when someone recognizes me as someone who is in show business," said Mizrahi.

Mizrahi is performing through February 8th.