Breaking Point
The up and coming Israeli fashion week raises many hopes for the local arena. As the new year approaches, maybe now is the time to say them out loud
Between November 21 and 24, a crucial event will take place – for the local fasion and business scenes alike.
Noted producer and director Moti Reif joined forces with Ofir Lev, CEO of Israel Textile Union, in order to create Israel’s fashion week; the first one to take place here during the last decades.
The idea is simple as it is imperative and it has a chance to resonate around the world: to attract buyers, as well as international reporters and editors to Israel, and expose them to the exciting local creative activity throughout a hectic series of fashion shows. The organizers plan to host the event in Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv, inside a giant white tent. The inspiration, of course, is New York Fashion Week, which took place at Bryant Park and is now located at Lincoln Center.
In the past, there were several attempts to create this project here. However, they all failed the test of time. The last time in which a local fashion week was a part of the scene was way back when in the 80s. Now, so it seems, there’s a chance for true hope. I was also happy to be invited to take part in this important endeavor.
Yes, this process will may very well need a number of years for it to accomplish its goal and substantiate
Israeli fashion around the world. However, it seems that the time is right. When I was shortlisted in the WGSN competition last year, I felt a true openness in regard to our local work.
Global forces in the fashion industry are connected to Israel (just think of Elbar Albez, for example) and local creativity meets every global standard. Furthermore, in some cases it exceeds the standard and helps to define it.
If the fashion week will rise up to the runway for a long period of time, than Israel could substantiate itself in the global arena. In addition, this connection can be beneficial to the local tourism and business scene.
Now, as the new year making its way, it seems like the time to set froth some hopes. Sometime it’s allowed to make a wish; especially if you take an active part in making them come true. As I see the new collection in the stores and formulating the new summer collection, I examine topics which deal with continuity, processes and inspirations. Therefore, I think the time is right to hope aloud that next year will bring some fascinating developments our way. Perhaps we will discover that this hope is more tangible than ever before.