It’s been a few weeks since I attended Tel Aviv Fashion Week, and I am still pinching myself that I was able to see it in person! It has been a dream of mine ever since I began my mission to feature Israeli designers, but it seemed that every year I was pregnant or breastfeeding or something. Because bringing Israeli designs and brands to the US is so dear to my heart, I was beyond excited that this was finally my year. As soon as I watched my daughter crush it at her biggest gymnastics meet ever, I hopped on a plane and I was off!
Several hours and a few thousand miles later, I landed in Tel Aviv with just an hour to go before my first show. Thankfully, I was staying at the gorgeously chic and conveniently located Alexander Hotel, and all the action was just a short walk away. After slipping into my first look and hugging my darling parents (who had greeted me at the airport!) one more time, I headed to the tents, my heart pounding with excitement. Here are some of my favorite highlights that I hope will inspire you!
Romance Reigns
There are always going to be seasonal trends, but you honestly cannot go wrong with a flowy dress in warmer months. Alon Livne’s breathtaking show made me want to burn all my jeans! (Ok, kidding…) But seriously, don’t these pictures make you want to dress up?
Yes to the Dress
One of my favorite style secrets is to introduce Israeli bridal designers to my clients getting ready to walk down the aisle. Along with Alon Livne and Idan Laraos, Anya Fleet creates the most gorgeous and unique confections for your big day. Trust me, if you want a one-of-a-kind wedding dress, Israel is the place to shop!
Historical Moment
Maskit has the proud distinction of being Israel’s very first fashion house, having been established in 1956. And I have a history with the company, as I used to work for them! It gave me goosebumps to be able to see their show. And guess what? You can shop everything I saw on the runway here. The suit is having such a moment right now, and Maskit has truly made it extraordinary with impeccable tailoring and unforgettable details.
Body Positivity
As “swimsuit season” creeps closer, it’s so easy to start to pick ourselves apart and feel the pressure to have the “perfect” body for the beach. I’ll be honest, I was fully expecting to see the typical stream of supermodels stalk the catwalk at Bananhot—an iconic swimwear brand in Israel. Instead, women of all ages, races, shapes, and sizes danced down the runway in a celebration of diversity and beauty in all its forms. The vibe was absolutely electric! And it was a much-needed reminder that I don’t need to look like Bar Rafaeli to feel good about myself.
The Future Is Female
I love seeing more female designers on the ascent in fashion, and Shahar Avnet is a name to know! She already counts Zendaya and Beyonce among her fans, and in fact, Queen Bey wore one of her creations on her 2018 world tour. I was in awe of the collection, which juxtaposed futuristic fabrics with ultra-feminine silhouettes, and it has inspired me to really emphasize my femininity to showcase my strength.
In the Bag
Not only did I get to see my favorite Israeli handbag line, Collecte, on the Comme il faut runway, but I also had the chance to sneak backstage to get a peek at the newest styles! I highly recommend forgoing the typical “It” bags that tend to oversaturate Instagram and investing in a unique handbag by Collecte that is perfect for you this season.
Closing Time
The last show of Tel Aviv Fashion week was a bittersweet moment; I was sad to see such an incredible display of talent come to a close, but it also meant we were wrapping up with the inimitable Vivi Bellaish! After admiring his evening gowns for years, I had the honor to wear one of his beautiful dresses. And I will share a little secret with you: Rumor has it that Vivi will be offering a ready-to-wear collection in his first-ever boutique in Tel Aviv! Now there’s a good excuse for a vacation if I ever heard one.
I hope you have enjoyed revisiting my trip to Israel with me. It was a magical experience made even better by my friends and family! I have to give a shout out to my bestie Luba Jakobson for lining up the shows and my sister Orly for keeping me organized and on schedule. If there is one piece of inspiration you take away from this post, let it be this: to always dress with joy! Every Israeli designer I spoke with stated this as their aim, to make women happy and in love with themselves when they wear their clothes. Coming up next: my guide to all my favorite spots around Tel Aviv! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you never miss the latest and greatest!
Xoxo,
Tali
