Avant-Garde Fashion
Since graduating from Shenkar and presenting my final project, my challenge has been—and still is—to translate creative, innovative ideas into functional, flattering clothes. When I design practical, everyday wearable pieces, there are always constraints that prevent me from bringing my wildest ideas to life. So when I had the chance to become Liat “the student” again, I was delighted—not only because of the freedom to design without thinking about the final price or the complexity of production, but also because of the unique opportunity to create a garment that comes closer to the world of art. I was given exactly that opportunity at the alternative fashion show at Beit Ha'ir last week: it was an avant-garde show that gave all the designers complete artistic freedom.
A look at the finale of the fashion show at Beit Ha'ir, photo: Liat Brandel
Last Thursday, I was lucky enough to take part in an extraordinary fashion show at 'Beit Ha'ir' in Tel Aviv.
Nona Shalant, who hosted and produced the event, chose to wear the design I created. It was a pink-and-red dress with hundreds of slits that grew progressively larger. The silhouette I created was like an enlarged (BLOW-UP) version of a huge paper-cutout pattern worn on the body, paired with a special red evening bag I designed in the same spirit. Read all about the creative process behind the design here.
Last Thursday, I was lucky enough to take part in an extraordinary fashion show at 'Beit Ha'ir' in Tel Aviv.
Nona Shalant, who hosted and produced the event, chose to wear the design I created. It was a pink-and-red dress with hundreds of slits that grew progressively larger. The silhouette I created was like an enlarged (BLOW-UP) version of a huge paper-cutout pattern worn on the body, paired with a special red evening bag I designed in the same spirit. Read all about the creative process behind the design here.
Left: Nona Shalant wearing a dress and bag I designed; right: a photo of the dress and bag on hangers in my studio
The character Shoshke, created by artist Ze'ev Engelmayer, who appears nude, was the inspiration for this fashion show, which featured 15 Israeli artists and designers.
The character Shoshke, created by artist Ze'ev Engelmayer, who appears nude, was the inspiration for this fashion show, which featured 15 Israeli artists and designers.
Ze'ev Engelmayer dressed as 'Shoshke' and Nona Shalant at Beit Ha'ir in Tel Aviv. Photo: Itamar Toren, makeup and styling: Roni Shukron, coats: Miss Sunshine TLV, headpiece (Nona): Leni Bolt Berlin
(The official photos from the spectacular fashion show were originally published by photographer Dean Aharoni as part of the full coverage in Time Out Tel Aviv).
"If you haven't come across Shoshke, the fictional character of a woman dressed in pink fur and a blonde wig who has been roaming around Tel Aviv in recent months and has since gone on to conquer the world—then you should definitely get to know her. Behind the fictional character is Ze'ev Engelmayer, who brought her from the world of comics into reality when he opened his exhibition ‘The Promised Land’ at Beit Ha'ir in Tel Aviv. Since then, he has been living as the character, traveling around the country as her, and even going overseas to introduce her to new audiences around the world." So wrote Sahar Shalev in his article about the show in Yediot Aharonot.
For me, this was a truly unique opportunity to create an avant-garde design without dwelling too much on the question of whether it was wearable or not—just to make something from the gut and the heart, and enjoy the process.
Close-up of the back of the design by Liat Brandel for the exhibition at Beit Ha'ir
Meanwhile, the design is on display in the “The Promised Land” exhibition at Beit Ha'ir, which will remain open for about another month. Everyone is welcome to come and see it up close :-)
Meanwhile, the design is on display in the “The Promised Land” exhibition at Beit Ha'ir, which will remain open for about another month. Everyone is welcome to come and see it up close :-)
Leave a comment