While seeing the New York charmer was a real treat, perhaps it was Roberto Cavalli, the Italian mega-designer and swagger star (yes, I said it) who truly made an impact on Israeli fashion when he made a worthwhile appearance at Tel Aviv Fashion Week and international and Israeli crowds. Wife and business partner Eva Cavalli was by his side.

While Roberto Cavalli was the biggest draw at Tel Aviv Fashion Week taking place at Hatachana, an old railway station in Neve Tzedek converted into a beautiful shopping and restaurant area, he wasn’t the only one. Israeli designers like Dorit Bar-Or, Ido Recanati, Alon Livne, and Dorin Frankfurt were on hand to show off their collections.

Unfortunately, the crowd, at least where many Israelis were concerned, didn’t care so much for them, although they had talent to spare.  After Cavalli left on the first of the three-day event, there were many empty seats at the shows. With all the potential these designers really have for an international and local market, it was a disappointment to see that not many Israelis were on hand to see it.

There were many things I didn’t like about Tel Aviv Fashion Week, many problems, and many items that need to be improved on.  I’m only going to focus one paragraph on them before getting back to the main man. One of the biggest problems of this event, besides the fact that it was pretty unorganized, was that too much focus was made on the international fashion designer and international foreign press.  While they deserve all their accolades, why wasn’t more attention paid to the Israeli media (especially the ones that were spreading the word about Israel in English) and the Israeli designers, themselves, who like I’ve said in the past, have talent to spare?

Back to Cavalli.  Regardless of what you think about him, his clothes, or his appearance in Israel, one thing’s fore sure: he loves the country and it was great to show he was willing to lend his name, charm and talent to help it promote its own fashion talent.

“Israel is in my heart,” the designer said, as reported in JPost.  He showcased his love and affection for both Sabra girls and the Israeli fashion scene by paying compliments to the models and stomping and clapping along with the standing ovation at the end of the Shai Shalom show, according to Walla! Fashion. He  also responded in basic Hebrew, more than once. He raved about the beautiful women.  “They have strong character, but they are so sweet,” he told Xnet. “They can be very romantic as well.”

“I like to see how in Israel you love fashion,” he told FashionTV, when members of the 24/7 style channel located in Israel, and an Israeli model, interviewed him before his Tel Aviv reveal of his Spring/Summer 2012.  “I feel that fashion, in Israel, in Italy, is international,” he told others at a press conference the day of his show.

Eva Cavalli could teach Israelis a thing or two about fashion.  There’s something so feminine about her, that she constantly preserves, and yet, she’s always dressing in androgynous menswear-inspired looks with sharp shoulder blazers and crisp trousers, mainly in black with a bold accessory or print to tie the crowd over.  In this case, she makes an impact with signature Cavalli animal print.

The Spring/Summer 2012 collection, straight off the runways of Milan, featured animal print maxi dresses, sheer chiffon and lace, gold sequined blazers and colorful tropical print suits in true Cavalli style.  Perhaps many of you have seen this sensational collection from Milan Fashion Week on the likes of Karlie Kloss, Karmen Pedaru, and Isabeli Fontana, but it was quite another to see it on our very own models, sashaying in swishy skirts and wearing gold tiaras. Unexpectedly, many of were blond, not the typical dark-haired Sabra girl that Cavalli was thinking of–but it worked nonetheless.

One of the only dark haired girls that walked in the show was Frida Astrid, a Mexican model in Israel who doubles as a host for FashionTV!

Photos: Walla! Fashion, Ynet, Xnet

Now I know what you’re thinking. Holon? HOLON? Not the first place you think of when you think of fashion in Israel. Nevertheless, with the inception of the Holon Design Museum, Holon has little by little become a mecca for fashion and art design. Luckily, Holon Fashion Week, with the help of the fashion greats that were in attendance, helped us to realize that.

HOF Opening Night 

There was no way I was going to be missing Holon Fashion Week, if I could help.  Besides opening up a world of fashion possibilities in a town outside of Tel Aviv, Holon Fashion Week was organized with the help of Hilla Ohayon, one of the best Israeli-born fashion bloggers/new media personnel on the scene today and bringing guests like mega-watt fashion designer Zac Posen, fashion blogger extraordinaire Yuli Ziv, Business of Fashion Founder and Editor Imran Amed, writer, muse, and vintage connoisseur Stephanie LaCava. Other special guests include Alexandra McGuiness, a leading stylist and director of the movie The Lotus Eaters, and her muse, star of the film Amber Anderson.

I was especially excited to see Yuli Ziv as she to me is one of the pioneers of online fashion blogging at its best and I had had the privilege of sitting down with her years earlier in New York City over lunch to pick her brain about fashion and blogging in general.  Prior to the opening night, I also welcomed her for a visit to the FashionTV offices in Ramat Gan.

Opening night was a sea of fashionable Israeli faces who were on hand to showcase the very best in Israeli style amidst other glamorous internationals.  I attended the event with Design Break blogger Einat Kayless Argamann. It was our first meet and greet after more than a year of being in contact and I was excited about the prospect of a new fashion blogger buddy.  There, we met up with Einat’s friend Yael, a blogger at Marmalada and Morgane Portheault Koresh of The Leopard Legs, one of my closest blogger friends here in Israel.

Me, Morgane, & Einat 

Other friends I saw at the event included fashion designers Yoav Meir, Roni Kantor, and Mirit Weinstock, blogger Sefi Erlich of Way Too Yellow (she looked divine in a gold knit sweater), and Sonya, Michell, and Daina, the girls of Dreed Tea.

Yoav Meir 

Sefi Erlich (r) Sweater looks even better in person! 

Among the best dressed, other Israelis like model Shiraz Tal, Rhus Ovata designers Hadas and Einav Zucker, stylist Inbal Rave and designer Orli Rosen also made a showstopping impact in fashionably fabulous designs!

Shiraz Tal 

Rhus Ovata: Hadas & Einav Zucker 

Stylist Inbal Rave & Designer Orli Rosen 

But of course, we can’t forget our stunning guests of honor.

Zac Posen

Stephanie La Cava (Dress by Zac Posen)

Hey Zac, can I have this dress?

Yuli Ziv

Imran Amed

Fashion at Holon Fashion Week

Panels 

Perhaps, Imran Amed summed up the week best on Business of Fashion. On his blog, he wrote, “I was extremely fortunate to have been invited to speak at Holon Fashion Week (HoF11) last month, held at the stunning Design Museum Holon designed by Ron Arad, who is credited with putting this suburban city on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, on the global design radar. Though the event was dubbed a ‘fashion week’, there were no fashion shows to speak of. In reality, what transpired was more of a constructive dialogue between the global fashion industry and Israel’s fashion community.” That’s exactly what these panels were.

I was lucky enough to sit in on three panels on the first day of Holon Fashion Week. The first one, featured Zac Posen being interviewed by fashion designer/blogger Yaara Keydar.  The audience got a sneak peek into Posen’ s world and how he started his now multimillion dollar fashion business.  It was obvious that Posen had lots of influence from his father, an artist and his mother, a corporate lawyer, and had always been the one to make clothing for his girl friend (and the reason why he’s so successful with his glam red carpet gowns today) because he seems to know a woman’s figure–with lots of practice in his youth.  I was disappointed and a little surprised Posen didn’t talk more about his celebrity friends, Coco Rocha, Bijou Phillips, etc. but he did mention how Naomi Campbell saw something in him.

One thing about Posen’s interview stood out and that’s what he said at the end when he was asked what advice he would give to the many young designers in the audience (there were many more of them then there were bloggers and fashion media.) He said to wear your clothes.  Sounds like common sense, right? But what he meant was to make your clothes seen.  You are your own fashion label’s PR and the only way people are going to know about you and your apparel is to broadcast it the best way you know how–on yourself and other people.

The next panel was one of my favorites and featured Israeli fashion designer heavyweights including handbag designer Daniella Lehavi, clothing designer Maya Negri, and clothing designer Dorin Frankfurt.  While this may have seemed commonplace for some of the other young designers in the audience who are probably used to seeing these designers on tv or elsewhere, it was a treat for me because I had never put a face to a brand name.

Nili Landsman, Maya Negri, Daniella Lehavi, Dorin Frankfurt (l.to r.)

The fashion designers were interviewed by Nili Landsman, a writer  from Fashion Forward.  Designer Mordechai Avraham (not pictured) was also featured in the panel.

Yuli Ziv spoke about using social media to your advantage as a blogger and a young designer because it’s one of the best ways to market yourself and your brand (besides Zac’s advice to wear your brand’s clothes, of course!) Ziv, a proclaimed online and social media expert who recently wrote Blogging Your Way To The The Front Row, is one of the best examples of how someone can break into the industry using this as one of her methods of contact and conversation.  Ziv also mentioned that this way a perfect way to describe a day in your life as a designer and to have a focus group that answers you when you want to bounce ideas off them.

I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to attend the Bloggers Panel the following day, but I heard it was fantastic and featured my new friend and fellow blogger Sivan Epstein Pnini from My Urban Runway, who calls her life a runway and the “real fashion show” which she broadcasts on her blog.  (Sivan is the beautiful blond in the black and white pinstripe jacket.) While Hilla Ohayon moderated, other bloggers included Shelly Gros from המלבישה (Dresser) and Sahar Shalev from Ha Garconniere.  Sivan calls the best part of the blog the fact that she gets to showcase fashion and the people she meets through her writing.

Perhaps the best part of my Holon Fashion Week experience? Getting to see lovely ladies like Hilla Ohayon, Yuli Ziv, and Morgane Portheault Koresh (The Leopard Legs) and getting to connect with Sivan Epstein Pnini(My Urban Runway) and Einat (Design Break Blog).

Photos: Odem Kedmi, Fashion Forward, HOF11, My Urban Runway

Yes, you heard me right.  Versace, as in the Donatella Versace, as in one of the dresses Anne Hathaway wore to the Oscars, as in the woman who made the extremely low-cut jungle dress that Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammys the year no one could talk of anything…yes, THAT VERSACE…is working with H&M for the top shop’s next designer collaboration come this November.

With fashion’s well-knowns moving to be part of the brand (America’s biggest model right now, Karlie Kloss, is currently THE FACE of H&M), it looks like H&M can say it has ARRIVED.

Which is why I’m proud that H&M is now a part of Israel, that the prices are fairly inexpensive, and that Israel has announced it plans to sell the Versace line this Fall.  Just as it sold Lanvin’s line when that high-end designer brand collaborated with H&M (Lanvin’s head designer, Alber Elbaz, is an Israeli fashion school graduate.)

Which is why I’m even prouder to say that I was invited among some of Israel’s best fashion journalists and fashion bloggers, to an H&M Presentation for their Fall 2011 collection held in the Tavi Gallery in Neve Tzedek.  Champagne and hors d’œuvres were served, gifts were taken away (stylish patterned notebooks that I will display later) but most importantly, clothes were seen and coveted.

First, a word about the collection: The inspiration is 60s and 70s. H&M has always been a big believer in these retro references, but even more so now that it seems some of the most recent Fashion Weeks (New York, anyone?) have paid great homage to the 70s.The 60s and 70s trend (think paisley prints and swirls, neon brights) are combined with a rustic lumber trend, that includes beiges, browns, and knitwear.Shapes are more about volume, less about form fitting, and prints aren’t always matched.  Big cocktail rings and feather necklaces are part of the accessories and the shoes have a boxy heel which make them that much more comfortable (and that much more 70s, natch!)

Here are my favorite pieces from the collection:

Best Ensemble

Mismatched prints stand alone. This outfit didn’t match in the slightest, and still, I loved the pairing of the neon striped skirt with the red cardi and the black and white Oxford lace ups!

Best In Shoe

Best Texture

Best Top 

Can’t Get Enough of…This Color!

We can’t forget about the champagne and snack, and those lovely parting gifts.  The H&M team gave out men’s and women’s lookbooks and other notebooks in H&M signature retro prints of the season! What a way to remember the morning!

Photos: Simona Kogan, Morgane Portheault

The reason I decide to highlight this photo is because it showcases 5 different Israeli women with 5 different Israeli personalities and their personal style showcases it as such. Each style for each woman is totally different from the other but yet all are distinctly Israeli.

The five ladies are (from left to right): Single Hili Emmanuel, Tel Avivian Nana Schreier, journalist Shir Nustzaki, Dina Abramson, a divorced woman who is swimming between the religious and secular world, and budding singer Mika Karni.

Now let’s focus on the clothes. I don’t know all that much information about what designers they are wearing but I’ll tell you what I can.

Hili Emanuel:

I hate giving her the single label, but Hili definitely gives off that classic Israeli single vibe–the mod, hip Israeli girl with blunt bangs, but one that is also feminine with pink as the color of choice for her dress. Notice how the dress also drapes in the front and has thicker arm sleeves (as in it’s not racerback.) Both are typical aspects of an Israeli dress you’ll often see on the rack.

Nana Schreier:

The truth is, before I read this article, I saw this picture on Israeli designer Anya Fleet’s Facebook.  That’s because Ms. Fleet was highlighting the fact that the pregnant Nana Schreier was wearing her clothes.  Now it’s not often you see a pregnant woman in a cropped asysmmetrical tuxedo-inspired blazer but in Israel, the style of black menswearish blazer made of crepe over white shirt with tight fitting black pants is fairly common here. I guess common enough that even a pregnant woman can pull it off. And Nana seems to do it quite well.

Shir Nustzaki:

Shir wears my favorite outfit of the group, because it’s comfortable, feminine, and still stylish.  In my opinion, this is a typical fashionista’s outfit in Israel.  It has the essence of style–that she cares about what she looks like–but she’s still available to walk down the city streets comfortably if she decided to dress down the outfit with a pair of flats or flip flops. I think she would go for pretty flats, because the two tone pinks make the outfit quite feminine.

Dina Abramson:

There’s a certain look in the Israeli world that’s quite interesting because it gives you a glimpse into Israeli society and an Israeli lifestyle.  It has to do with the religious world, but not the ultra-religious Jews who usually go for basic colors like black and white.  Dina Abramson embraces a modest look (covered knees and elbows) but still has a style that speaks to the Tel Aviv look–a slightly puff shouldered dress layered over a stone gray shirt and matching grey tights, graphic print peep toe flats.  She may be covered, but she’s still as fashionable as the other cleverly coiffed ladies.

Mika Karni:

Mika Karni picks up on another typical Tel Avivit style and that’s the summer dress livened up with a graphic print.  Summer dresses are always everywhere as the weather gets warmer and to dress it up for a night event, the Israeli fashionista will always pick one with a graphic pattern  that gets attention.  For a dressier look, I’m liking how the dress balloons out a bit at the bottom.  She keeps it dressy with opaque black tights and shoes.

Photos: Mako

Remember when I was in love with that white textured mini dress from the Lilamist collection? I named it one of my 2010 Israeli Fashion Obsessions.  Well, in fact, I’ve become enamored with the entire Lilamist line.  Lilach Elgrabi and her team has created a slew of silky, satin, and ruffled numbers that target the feminine beauty who wants to be dressed up and comfortable at the same time in trendy textures and patterns.

But alas, most of the line is just too expensive for me to think about buying more than one piece. That dress, when I asked about it, was over 3000nis (and rightfully so!)  Plus they have an array of glamorous bridal and evening gowns that are just so worth it when up against the trendsetting pieces the rest of the world has to offer. It’s no wonder that many o the girls here in Israel have heard of the brand without even having bought a piece of their own.

Well, I’m in luck because Elgrabi has smartly come up with a whole new collection for the fashionista who wants to dress like a Lilamist girl, without worrying that she will topple her budget. Made by Lilamist is full of Elgrabi’s winning trends and sweet details, but at a much more affordable price.

A couple weeks ago I went to a Made by Lilamist sale at the Panaroma Building on 84 Derech Ben Tzvi and I felt like I was walking into a sale by Lilamist! I almost couldn’t believe that the pieces were at a lower price.  I saw a blue sequined bolero that I instantly fell in love with as well as rinkled scarlet red tops, ruffles and bow details and a gorgeous jade green dress with ruffled shoulders.

I felt like Lilach Elgrabi was right on par with today’s spring trends.  She gave femininity a bit of an urban kick fusing ruffled details with prints in a style that was totally of the moment. It’s like she knew exactly what girls were looking for in fashion. Magic, really.

I recently wrote a Time Out Israel article about the new line and this is the line from the piece that best describes the new brand. (You can find my article on Made by Lilamist at Time Out Israel on page 60.

“Elgrabi has an uncanny ability to translate common trends into high-end pieces stamped with her signature feminine ruffles, detailed tailoring and stark urban patterns–all at budget friendly prices.”

It’s like when Karl Lagerfeld translated his winning collection for H&M aficionados.

Pieces range from 150 to 550 nis.

I’ve jumped on the Made by Lilamist bandwagon!!  Will you?

Photos: Lilamist

So what makes these past three Purims really special for me? The fact that every single year I’ve had a costume for Purim, I’ve made the entire outfit myself out of my own clothes.

Although they sell them in the stores and on the streets, one doesn’t need to buy an elaborate costume to look good on this holiday.  A few accessories and good makeup will suffice.

This year, I made my best outfit yet.  After a friend saw my clothes, she came up with the idea that I should be a mime.  I took a black and white striped bodysuit from Castro and an American Apparel pocket skirt.  I also found some sheer black tights and those black and white Steve Madden oxford flats that unfortunately I almost never wear.

I bought suspenders, cheap white gloves (they ripped after two wears) and a black bowler hat.  When I could’t find the white face paint I wanted, I researched online and found that baby powder mixed with water works just as well. Except it didn’t.  So I just caked the white baby powder all over my face…and it worked.  Painted some marks with black eyeliner and VOILA! My amazing Purim costume for Purim 2011!

Last year, I had two Purim parties to attend.  For the annual Purim party at my regular bar, I decided to be an 80s girl, because I realized that my clothes are very 80s–loud, colorful and I love neon.  Of course, I typically downplay loud decorative leggings with a black shirt, but not this time! Purim really is the only time I feel I can go all out.  While I pride myself on having style, unfortunately I’m more afraid to take risks than I would like. Not on Purim though.

I worked my outfit around my American Apparel leggings.  Then I used a face-emblazoned t-shirt from Castro (starting to see a trend?) I covered it with a neon pink mesh tank that I typically wear underneath another black mesh tank from H&M (they’re a matching set I bought when I was in Amsterdam). Purple leg warmers, bangles and a green sequined bow (which didn’t really go anywhere) were the finishing touches.

That same year, I was invited to a Shushan Purim party in Jerusalem (Purim there happens one day after Purim in the rest of Israel.) It was at the house of religious friends and so I had to be modest…and still dress up! I remembered a bright red peasant top that I bought from Alloy, and paired it with a long tiered skirt from Express.  Then I borrowed decorative scarves from my roommate (you can find them easily at Shuk HaCarmel and in Yafo) and tied them around my skirt and my long locks.  Bangles and a borrowed tambourine completed the look…and I was a gypsy!

The first time I styled my own costume for Purim was in 2008.  That year, I decided to rework an old Halloween costume from the past, because I loved menswear and I knew I had the pieces.  I was a gangster, taking a cap-sleeved white button down from an Israeli label called Jump and pairing it with a short, floppy pinstripe skirt from Express in America.  I bought suspenders (love those! I should start wearing them constantly) and a red tie and picked up a pinstriped Fedora from a store on Shenkin St. I made sure to add my crocodile-textured black leggings from American Apparel and played up bright red lips and heavy eyeliner. And I was set.

The moral of this story is…you don’t have to spend tons of money on finding a costume for Purim…or Halloween.  Just check out your own closet!

Admit it. You’ve bought something from Castro. You say that you haven’t and you prefer designers, but face it, it’s the most popular brand in Israel for a reason.  The popular Israeli label has a great blend of menswear, urban pieces, and feminine frocks that appease the modern Israeli mentality, no matter how cheap you think the clothes are made.

That’s why I’m never hesitant to feature Castro on my site.  Despite never being to one of their fashion shows (a friend who wrote to them told me that they rejected giving her an invitation because her blog was in English,) I still have great things to say about the brand which to me is the epitome of Israeli chic, at least where retail is concerned.

Last year I reviewed their Castro Spring/Summer 2010 collection based on a video I caught on Ynet and Walla news sites. I remember being intrigued by their large florals and black street dresses. And this year, I will do the same, though I’m not quite so sure their latest collection, modeled by the Castro models team that includes headliners Gal Gadot and Yonatan Wegman, lives up to what I remember.

So says Shachar Atwan, a Haaretz reporter, who asks where’s the oomph of past collections remembered by the writer.  Ironically, there were past collections featured in this season’s newest outfits–Atwan admits that he saw repeated use of color palettes and patterns in many of this year’s designs, but the writer felt it was been there, done that and time for something new.  The writer says there was an absence of drama and an absence of glamour, especially considering much of the collection was awash in pale and cream colors and there was very little evening wear.

What do you think?

For me, the music left something to be desired as much as the clothes.  As Gal Gadot and Yonatan Wegman made their notable appearances, they looked washed out in white and a salmon-colored dress that hit at the waist.

I hated the browns for men, but I did enjoy the eyelet and lace crocheted boat neck top worn by one model and the gray harem pants and sweater worn by another. Though a bit shapless in draping dresses and loose belts, the models who stood out were the ones that wore colors and patterns (ocean blue, polka dots, and bright orange) overriding the unfortunate heavy use of creams, off whites, and beiges. I loved the coral, the blue, the yellow, and the orange and wish we had seen more of those!

For more on the Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show, check out Castro’s Facebook page.

Photos and Sources: Onlife.co.il, Walla!! Fashion, Haaretz

Did I mention that I also have a full time job and I’m moving this week? Yea, that.

In any case, once the move is over and I get a better handle on my new (and old) responsibilities, I’ll be able to devote more time to blogging about Israeli fashion, which I believe is so SO important because I really want to promote the talented designers and fashion-savvy people that make up this country.

Like Hilla Ohayon. Hilla is not a designer or a  model or a stylist.  But she definitely knows her fashion! Hilla is currently known as one of the top fashion writers in Israel, who sort of fell into a fashion writing/social media career pretty much because someone noticed her fashion-savvy blog and asked her to start writing about fashion for one of Israel’s leading newspapers, Haaretz.  Fast forward a little bit and she’s currently in charge of New Media (think Facebook and Twitter) for a powerful international indie shopping and fashion site called Sense of Fashion, which was started in Israel but has gained worldwide acclaim.

Hilla has since had the opportunity to sit in at shows during New York Fashion Week and she was just recently part of a Teen Vogue fashion blogger panel at a big fashion event in Las Vegas called WWD Magic.  She even had the chance to throw in a bit about what she has noticed about the world of Israeli fashion (and she put it so eloquently.)

“Fashion in Israel is very urban. Everyone is very into urban chic out loud.”

Watch this clip!

Photos: Hilla Ohayon, Ynet

Israelis are also known for their unique and recognized jewelry and accessory designs and the site Coolil promotes that to a global audience, showcasing well known designers like Hagar Satat and Kisim and fusing them with less heard of but still talented names like Inbar Shahak and Efika.

Now Amalia Boutique is on the scene and with an chic new page, prominent fashion blog showcasing some of Israel’s top designers, stylists, and trends, and campaigning with a vengeance on Twitter and Facebook, it’s showcasing where to find threads (and shoes!) by some of Israel’s best indie designers to date ONLINE!!

“We have some of the best indie designers Tel Aviv has to offer, ” Co-founder Avivit Shein told me. Ido Recanati, Sarah Braun, AlefAlef, Anna K, and Shani Bar, just to name a few. The boutique also has its own bag line by Meirav Ohayon.

I’ve found some of the most unique dresses and cool basics on that site and it was the basis for my tribute to Israeli dresses and dress designers in Tel Aviv post.

Avivit started the site with partner Naama Tzur because she thinks Israeli fashion is unique and wonderful and people should be exposed to it. (Exactly the reason I started this blog!)

“We think Israel is a very unique place, combining many cultures and different backgrounds to create a specific style and attitude towards fashion and clothes,” Avivit said. The two were surprised to learn that not many sites were presenting this unique fashion online.

Indie fashion in Israel is a hot commodity because of the small community of talented designers in the area. This is best exemplified by the unique standout items in store windows on Dizengoff, Bograshov, and Shenkin and now online with cool sites like Freshmeat and Amalia Boutique.

As they mentioned in their opening blog post focusing on 5 Reasons they love Israeli indie fashion.

“Indie designers stay in close touch with their customers – that way their fashion is rooted in their surroundings. They also manufacture on a small scale, so every item is special.” One has the opportunity to wear unique items and stand out from the crowd.

Here are some of my favorite items currently on the site:

Zipper Jacket RB by Roni Bar

What’s most awesome about this Israeli nylon bomber jacket (besides the fact that every Israeli girl would be seen wearing something like it in Tel Aviv) is the totally awesome asymmetrical zipper on the side rather then down the middle.  It creates a special unique shape when unzippered and while you may think every Israeli girl in Tel Aviv is wearing one, you won’t certainly look like any of them.  It’s urban and hip but it also makes a girl get noticed in the crowd!

Flowers-T by Sarah Braun

I remember seeing this tunic in her store window on Dizengoff St. and thinking, this floral tee is the epitome of Sarah Braun style.  It has a little bit of American prep and a little bit of French romance, which I believe is exactly what Braun is known for! She’s definitely one of the Israeli designers to watch in 2011.  This t-shirt is made of 100% cotton personally imported from Japan.

Gold Cherry Ring by Michal Oren

There’s something so delicate, yet playful about this darling 14k yellow-gold handmade cherry ring by Michal Oren.  No wonder Amalia Boutique picked it for the site! Just in case, you’re wondering…it’s available for sizing.

Grey And Yellow Cardigan By Anna K

What I really love about this yellow-flecked grey cardigan by Anna K is the way it looks like a cross between a blazer and a soft cardi.  Super comfortable, a little bit urban, and sharpened slightly enhanced shoulders really gives it some class.

Christina By Liebling

Haversack-Messenger by Meirav Ohayon

This fabric messenger  bag by Meirav Ohayon is clean cut and minimalist but in a versatile urban way.  You can wear it as a slingback, shoulder bag, or long tote for extreme comfort.  It’s also modern, chic, practical, and really, really street. Available in light gray, gray, dark blue, and black, though the one in the picture is certainly my favorite.

The Israeli Fashion Market (מעצבי העיר) in Ganei Hatarucha (North Tel Aviv) happens twice a year.  The first usually occurs in January or February when Israeli fashion designers are preparing for Spring and getting rid of their winter selections.  The second happens at the end of summer when designers begin preparing for winter and fall and sell off the last of their hot weather best.  As you can see, the perks of the Fashion Market are–discounts, discounts, discounts!! And where else can you get all the best Israeli designers in one place!

This year, the Fashion Market celebrates it’s 15th year, and perhaps its best! After all, the Israeli fashion community is growing and this is evident by the swarms of talented designers and labels showcasing their wares inside a modern and trendy nightlife-inspired hall.  And with its 15th year, the Fashion Market offered its best selection yet–a variety of mainstream and indie designers, menswear, feminine pieces, accessories, jewelry, and tights.

Alongside the more well-known designers like Ronen Chen, Sigal Dekel, and Yosef that have appeared at the Fashion Market on more than one occasion in the past, come the up and coming designers like Sharon Brunsher, Anya Fleet, and Rhus Ovata and the promising new designers you may have yet to hear of  like Hanit Chen, Totali, and Inbar Shahak. But that won’t be the case any longer.

A small men’s fashion area was grouped as well as a midsection for accessories and tights and personal styling areas for makeup and hair.

Sigal Dekel, who celebrated her 10th year as a recognized designer in 2010, proves that bows are back in a big way. And in her case, they’re patterned!

I caught onto Inbar Shahak’s crochet inspired jewelry last year and was so happy to see her as a fixture at the Fashion Market. Here is her beautifully crafted line on the right and you’ll notice her all the way on the back right corner. On the other side is Toosha, a mother/daughter accessories brand collection (think hats, gloves, scarves) crafted from various knits, weaves, embroidery and more.

Kism was there! We all know that Sarah Jessica Parker once carried a Kisim bag on the Sex and The City set and why not? Kisim bags are for the ultrachic modern woman! Designed by Yael Rosen, the Kisim cube handbags and wallets line is inspired by simple solutions of Japanese fabric design and the traditional leather craftsmanship of the Middle East, says Israeli design and accessories site Coolil.  The pieces are known for their exquisite quality leather and clean, fluid lines that creates a balance between a feminine and a modern look.

Aren’t these shoes beautiful? They should be, as all CoupleOf shoes are made of the finest leather and other materials and created with an intricately detailed craftsmanship.  But while great to look at, they are also extremely comfortable and cushioned with soft leather. The brand was founded by Shelly and Elon Satat-Kombor in 1999, and are becoming quite familiar amongst the fashionable Tel Aviv shopping scene.

I had to put these pictures in! My friend Alexis, who accompanied me to the Fashion Market, is a lover of fashion, but was more interested in watching the talented band perform during Friday afternoon at the market.  When the band wasn’t impressing the crowd, a DJ spun electro tunes that hit the spot.

Here are a few designers that caught my eye!

Hanit Chen

A designer at the event that caught my eye was Hanit Chen.  And it wasn’t her clothes that got my attention, it was what she was wearing! I noticed a designer that was dressed in a refined way–pink organza skirt, gray blazer, dark tights and silver flats.  It wasn’t just what she wearing, it was how she was wearing it.  She looked classy, feminine,  put together, and ironically, I felt like I could afford every single piece! Only then did I notice her unique romantic  pieces (blazers with bows and ruched shoulders, vintage-inspired dresses in with Peter Pan colors and buttons in pastel colors, and lace. I’ve become a fan and suddenly wondering where I can fidn more of her pieces.

Gala

Gala has a studio and store on Tchernikovsky St. which I’ve never ventured into though I’ve passed it almost every day. So I was very curious to see what she had in store at the Fashion Market. Though the Shenkar graduate is certainly not new to the Tel Aviv scene (she’s had her own line since 2004) which she has formulated into a cool streetwear brand focusing on stonewashed denim and casual cotton dresses. Funky prints and structured blazers are there as well, alongside cute cardigans tying the whole line together in one pretty package.  The intricate lining and detail is also ideal.

My first ever purchase from a duo who call themselves Rhus Ovata (and a line I have been raving about for months) was at the Fashion Market, where I bought a cool checkered tunic in navy blue and peach with purple buttons, which looked like a cross between a vest and an open dress.  Costing me just 150nis (a steal for the lucrative line) it’s definitely my favorite piece to date and goes perfectly well with my peach colored tank top.

Photos: מעצבי חעיר