Isaac Mizrahi does not travel well.

On his video blog at www.isaacmizrahiny.com, the fashion designer who gained mass recognition designing a womenswear collection for Target, tells tales of popping Xanax before hitting the tarmac.

But lately, with so much going on —- he left Target this year to revamp the Liz Claiborne label, he is preparing for the spring showing of his own collection, and he has written a style book scheduled to hit shelves in October —- Mizrahi said he hardly notices getting on a plane anymore.

Which is part of the reason he agreed to come to Atlanta for a few hours on Monday as a special guest at Jeffrey Fashion Cares, the annual fashion show and fund-raiser launched 16 years ago by Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of two namesake boutiques in New York and Atlanta.

The event, which last year raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer and AIDS, marks the beginning of Atlanta’s fall social season. Mizrahi is the second high-profile designer to make an official appearance at the event, which features a reception, live auction and runway presentation. Though the hardworking designer declined to speak about his move from Target to Liz Claiborne during a phone interview in advance of his visit, he did answer a few questions about what he’s most looking forward to in fashion this fall.

Q: What are some of your favorite looks for fall?

A: I like sporty evening dresses, big ball gowns that look like they should be tweed suits. I also like a really sporty belt over a big evening dress.

Q: Which items in your fall collection do you really love?

A: I did a million furs that were so beautiful, and that is something that is going to get stronger and stronger. It’s like you need a little fur jacket instead of a sweater.

Q: How is your new book “How to Have Style” (Gotham, $30), different than the other style books out there?

A: We worked on it for so long. I really felt like we were answering the question. I worked with 12 different women who were like case studies and they each had a problem with something that resonated with other women.

Q: What style question do women always ask?

A: People always want to know how to look thinner. For the answer to that question you’ll have to look in my book.

Q: What is the one thing any woman needs to have good style?

A: A sense of humor.

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APPEARANCE

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2008 takes place at 7 p.m. Monday at 55 Allen Plaza. Call 404-745-0293 for more information.