www.kikar-hamedina.com | Issue 1 | Winter 2014 -2015 | 42NIS
MADAME DE POMPADOUR 16 HEY BEIYAR ST. KIKAR HAMEDINA TEL-AVIV
PHOTO : KARL LAGERFELD
MADAME DE POMPADOUR 16 HEH BEIYAR ST. KIKAR HAMEDINA TEL-AVIV ISRAEL +972.3.6911113
CONTRIBUTERS Editor-in-Chief: Tal Shiry Editor: Daniel Leon Stern Creative & Graphic Design: Muse-Consultancy.com Writers: Roza Sinaysky, Sahar Shalev, Hen Shiry, Fanny Stranders
cover DESCRIPTIONS. Photographer : Dudi Hasson Styling : Tal Shiry Make up : Eran Pal Hair Styling: Liraz Agam Model : Lena Antonyuk @MC2 Tel-Aviv Head piece by Jennifer Behar and dress by Roberto Cavalli at AMOR
www.muse-consultancy.com
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H E LG A D E S I G N ⁄ 1 2 H E Y B E I YA R S T. K I K A R H A M E D I N A ⁄ T E L AV I V STORE QUARTIER 206 ⁄ FRIEDRICHSTRASSE 71 ⁄ BERLIN STORE KU’DAMM ⁄ SCHLÜTERSTRASSE 48 ⁄ BERLIN D O R O T H E E-S C H U M A C H E R .C O M
LUXURY IS EDITOR’S LETTER P. 11 DIOR’S SECRET DREAM COMES TRUE P. 12 MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO IS THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL? P. 14 DOUCAL’S BY ABRAHAM BOUTIQUE P. 19 TREND P. 21
THE GOLDEN PALACE. P. 22 TREND P. 41
A PIECE OF FINE ART. ODED KASHI FINE JEWELRY DESIGNER P. 42 MOVE INTO COMFORTZONE. P. 44 THE YOUNG HEART OF
BALMAIN. P. 46
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48 HEY BEIYAR STREET, KIKAR HAMEDINA, TEL-AVIV, 03-5468855
EDITOR LETTER The meaning of the word “luxury”, according to Tim Jackson, “refers to an indulgence where something is experienced infrequently because it is expensive or rarely accessible”. Luxury goods have always symbolised the top sector by being associated with status, exclusivity, prestige and premium prices. In addition, those who buy these products seek, and expect, better quality, longevity and durability.
Kikar HaMedina has always been the symbol of this aforementioned “luxury” in Israel, gathering some of the world’s international brands in one circular street. Despite this, there lacked a platform that brings these luxury stores surrounding Kikar HaMedina together.
Two years ago I realised that something was missing and took the initiative to fill this gap. I commenced working on Kikar HaMedina’s brand image, marketing and digital PR. Having designed a logo, a website and established a social media presence, we gained a loyal crowd of social media followers and subscribers to our newsletter.
The idea of launching a new fashion and lifestyle magazine that would be dedicated solely to luxury - the first time in Israel – seemed like the logical next step.
To get to this place I recalled the experience and knowledge I gained from working in the fashion industry in London. The exposure and expertise acquired from trend forecasting for WGSN, sales and visual merchandising at Dolce&Gabbana and completing a BA (Hons) in Fashion Management from London College of Fashion was invaluable. The result was the creation of my own Tel Aviv based creative agency, Muse Consultancy, following my return to Israel, that focuses on luxury fashion and lifestyle with this magazine launch being one of our many projects.
There is no coincidence in life, nor is there just luck. I believe that when you do something out of pure love and passion, the seeds that you plant will flourish...
Yours,
Tal Shiry Editor-in-Chief
Photo by: Rami Zeringer
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DIOR’S SECRET DREAM COMES TRUE BY. HEN SHIRY
The legendary French designer, Christian Dior, understood what women want and what makes them feel beautiful. Dior made its way to the heart of Kikar Hamedina 15 years ago located inside the luxurious Enigma Boutique. Ever since then, an unbreakable bond has formed. Today we celebrate the future opening of the new space dedicated to the fashionable house of Dior - a new chapter in the relationship between the French fashion house and the well-known buyer and owner of Enigma Boutique Silvia Schwartzman.
“Deep in every heart slumbers a dream, and the couturier knows it: every woman is a princess”. Christian Dior
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When conjuring up the image of the “ideal” women, the undeniable truth is that women want to feel feminine and beautiful in their choice of clothing. Silvia Schwartzman, the owner and founder of Enigma Boutique, understands this entirely.
Schwartzman’s European background influenced her fine taste and expert eye in order to introduce the Israeli population to the most well known fashion brands, such as Dior, Valentino, Celine, Azzedine Alaia, Nina Ricci, Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler and more. According to Schwartzman, her motto was always to be attentive and to discover new brands with a view to expose her customers to a whole new world of fashion. After years in the business, Enigma’s customers know they can trust her impeccable taste even if they are not familiar with the designer. Schwartzman also understands the importance of creating a luxurious and memorable shopping experience. To achieve this great efforts have been taken to ensure the Enigma Boutique has an international ambiance with attention to detail given at every stage. Engima employees are even flown to Paris for a workshop in the packaging of luxury goods! As the doors of the beautiful Enigma Boutique open, customers are transported into a different world. From the warm welcome, the professional service to the wide range of designers stocked, every touch point within the exquisite boutique is first class. It is this reason that Engima has established itself as one of the best shopping destinations in Israel. The relationship between Enigma and Dior started 15 years ago with the first dedicated corner of Dior and with rising popularity this space soon doubled in size to two corners. Due to continued high demand for Dior clothes, bags and shoes, Enigma Boutique was given the honour of opening an adjacent three stories space dedicated entirely to Dior. By expanding together the love story between Enigma and Dior has been taken to a new level. As Silvia Schwartzman said herself: “We aspire to constantly develop and grow together alongside our different brands and to welcome with open arms new exciting brands”. Over recent years, the house of Dior has gone through a massive change of style after replacing former creative director, John Galliano, with the extraordinarily talented Raf Simons Simons is a breathe of fresh air, opening the fashion house to new market with his diverse style and modern approach. In contrast to Galliano, Simons intends for the collections to appeal to a wider age range, from the sporty style to the ultra-elegant. When describing his current collection Simons expressed that he wanted “ to propose a new woman. A woman with power and energy in a very definite way. I wanted to pursue powerful tailoring, to offer another reality, another function.” It is this unique and updated interpretation of the woman of Dior, through bold colours and dramatic yet wearable shapes, that has ushered in a new era for Dior, and for the fashion world. The new Dior store will open its doors to the public in October 2014. Heh B’Iyar 34, Kikar Hamedina.
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MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO IS THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL? BY HEN SHIRY
According to Conrad Hilton, the Waldorf is "the greatest of them all". For an insight into the fascinating story behind the new luxurious hotel in Israel - the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem - we sat down with general manager Mr. Guy Kleiman. In life there are occasional moments in which you are in awe of the beauty that surrounds you. Walking into the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is one of those very moments. The grand chandeliers, the magical fountains and the high glass ceilings, which reveal the flawless natural light of the Holy Land, are overwhelmingly beautiful. The Waldorf is an encounter between two worlds: the old fashioned and slightly conservative to the definition of progress and modernity. One of its many attractions is the incredible history that lies beyond the hotel walls. In 1929, The Palace Hotel, as it was formally known, opened its door to the public and in doing so redefined the meaning of luxury hospitality at the time. For six years the Hotel, under the management of the Supreme Muslim Council and the Mufti of Jerusalem, welcomed guests whilst being an architectural masterpiece of its time. However, due to escalating costs and financial pressures the Palace Hotel was turned into a British Mandate governmental building until the declaration of the State of Israel in May 1948. Throughout the years, the world anticipated the opening of the "New Palace" and what could have been more appropriate than a hotel inspired by New York's legendary Waldorf Astoria but with a spark of authenticity and history. Following six years of restoration and construction, led by Hilton Hotels Corporation, IPC Jerusalem Ltd. and the Reichmann family, the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem officially joins the luxurious international hotel chain and is one of 27 Waldorf hotels across the world. Guy Kleiman, the general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, is no stranger to the world of luxury hotels. Kleiman has worked in the most prestigious hotels, including Hilton Park Lane in London, having been part of the Hilton Worldwide group for more than 25 years. Therefore his appointment as the general manager was a perfect fit. What is it that makes the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem stand out in Israel as well as in comparison to other branches of Waldorf Astoria around the world? Guy Kleiman: The Waldorf Astoria is the only international chain in Jerusalem, a chain with a wealth of experience having welcomed guests for more than 100 years. We have 27 branches of Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world therefore we uphold international standards. Our staff, many of whom are from abroad and bring with them their European mentality, are highly skilled and attentive. We even have random check ups of anonymous workers pretending to be guests in order to
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monitor the quality of service they receive. We do this to make sure the reputation of the Waldorf Astoria is not only maintained but continues to improve to ensure a better service and reach higher targets. It is this little extra effort that makes all the difference. We have a certain advantage as the Waldorf Astoria brand brings with it a greater knowledge and experience that is demonstrated in the training of our staff and within our booking desk. We dedicated a great amount of time to make sure that every aspect of your experience with us will be memorable. We aspire to be the best. Last month the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem was awarded by the hotel guests as the number one hotel in the Waldorf Astoria group for service - we were very proud! When you enter the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem you cannot ignore the overwhelming beauty and cultural references. Does this connect to the building’s history and it’s former days as the Palace Hotel? Guy Kleiman: We gave a tremendous importance to preserving the entrance and all of the front, everything behind is completely new. Primarily, the most essential element was to maintain the character and history of the hotel and bring that history to the architecture as well. The original architect of the Palace Hotel, in 1929, was a Turkish man so they went to Istanbul and to see other projects that he worked on. From there they searched for an architect who could understand the mind and style of the original architect in order to to continue his legacy and vision. Israeli building architect, Yehuda Feigin, and a Turkish
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interior designer, Sinan Kafadar, whose oriental origins influenced parts of the hotel combined with the overall art deco and contemporary luxury style. I couldn't help but notice the big clock at the entrance of the hotel… Guy Kleiman: In each of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels there is a clock, it is a symbol. The one in the Waldorf Astoria New York stands out the most I have to say. In each hotel, the clock has to be a reflection of the city and the city’s character, therefore for the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem we decided that the most appropriate way of sharing this message is to integrate the four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem alongside the traditional Jerusalem stone olive leaf. In our opinion, these symbols are the main characteristics of this beautiful city. The type of art you selected to decorate the hotel is also an expression of this? Guy Kleiman: All the art is connected to Jerusalem and all the artists are Israeli. Each detail counts. I was here when all we could see were bare walls. Sinan, our interior designer, had the imagination and creativity to connect all the pieces in the puzzle and create something truly original. We traveled everywhere to choose carefully each detail, from the goose feathers used in the pillows and the blankets to the luxurious china designed especially for the hotel. You might laugh, but everyone wants to buy our pillows! It was extremely important to us to not disconnect from our past, on the contrary, we wanted to use the past and history
in building an extraordinary hotel. We have even produced a documentary on the history of the hotel, the planning involved in its renovation, the reconstruction itself and, last but not least, the grand opening. It will be released soon! As well as being timeless and traditional, the Waldorf is also highly equipped with the most advanced technology. I understand you even offer iPads to each guest‌ Guy Kleiman: First and foremost, the hotel is very "Green", we care about the environment and we do our best to eliminate any potential damage. Today this hotel is the most environmental-friendly hotel in Israel when it comes to air-conditioning systems, recycling, water system and lighting. Again, we have to meet international standards being part of the Waldorf group. Technology wise, we offer an iPad in each room, which allows the guest to control their entire stay through the device. They can sit here in the lobby and decide that in two days, they would like to have their afternoon tea in their room. You can also order room service or control the lighting and air-conditioning in the room. Soon we will be launching an app that will allow guests to select what they would like to have in their room prior to their arrival. The hotel may be traditional architecturally but inside it is highly advanced. We have a state-ofthe-art television in each room, floor heating‌
Which rooms and function suits do you have? We have 9 event rooms, each meeting room is fully equipped with the most advanced devices. We have a business centre for our guests to use and also the largest and most elegant ballroom in central Jerusalem. Aside from that, we offer 226 guest rooms, including 29 luxurious suits. The Superior room, which is our smallest room, is above the standard; it is 37 square meters whereas our largest presidential suit goes up to 200 square meters. The rooms are extremely spacious and comfortable. From the soaps in the bathrooms to the slippers, we have carefully considered every detail. Which other facilities would you have? We are currently working on the spa and pool, which will be the leading spa of Israel. Opening the beginning of 2015.
Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem 26-28 Agron street Jerusalem, Israel. 02-5423333
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26 Hey Beiyar St. Kikar Hamedina Tel-Aviv. Israel +972-3-6091740
DOUCAL’S BY ABRAHAM BOUTIQUE Words by Fanny Stranders
Abraham Boutique is well known for its selected import of luxurious Italian handcrafted shoes. Having stocked an array of different labels for the last 12 years, from Doucal’s, Fratelli Rossetti to Alberto Guardani, it has more recently transformed exclusively into Doucal’s - a traditional luxury shoe brand catering for both men and women.
D
oucal’s was created 40 years ago in Montegranaro, an Italian region famous for its creation of hand made glamorous footwear, by Mario Giannini. The Doucal story began when Giannini decided to pursue his passion for English shoes at the British Shoe Manufacturer District. During his time there, Giannini learned about the diverse construction methods of the English shoe style – an education that would shape his career in years to come. Upon his return to Italy, Mario decided to create a timeless shoe that reflected the rigid English style with the comfort of the typical Italian shoe. To achieve this, each shoe included a sock liner in the insole to ensure freshness, guaranteed comfort whilst being anti-bacterial. This season’s men’s collection is represented by four different lines, featuring various styles: half wing boots, plain derby, penny loafers and monk straps. To ensure the highest quality and choice, the collection uses the finest leathers and is available in a range of warm colors such as burgundy, green, grey or black. For women, the styles are similar to the men’s collection yet given a modern and feminine twist, by including models like Chelsea boots, double and buckles. Doucal’s is renowned for its exclusive quality, long lasting comfort and its impressive capacity to produce stylish and sophisticated shoes suitable for all ages, tastes and lifestyles. The boutique is located in 26 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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T E L AV I V
H E B E YA R 24
+ 972 3 6 96756 0 E S C A D A . CO M
Prabal Gurung Nina Ricci
N O I S N E T X E E SID
Mary Katrantzou
BY. TAL SHIRY
Both asymmetric silhouettes and splits became very popular this season. The trend combines the two styles and reveals the elegant feeling of wearing a “side gown�. From Nina Ricci to Mary Katrantzou and Prabal Gurung it was given a sophisticated edge with the strap suspended, flouting next to the body.
Balenciaga
Viktor & Rolf 21
THE GOL DEN PAL ACE
Dressing up for a glamorous weekend at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Photographer Dudi Hasson Fashion Editor Tal Shiry
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HELGA DESIGN Dress by LANVIN Fur Scarf by MARNI Shoes by GIANVITO ROSSI 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION Dress by BALMAIN Sandals by TOM FORD 68 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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ESCADA 24 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
Dress by ALTUZARRA Coat by P.A.R.O.S.H Bag by SAINT LAURENT PARIS at HELGA DESIGN 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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ENIGMA BOUTIQUE
DIOR 34 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
Dress by ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER at PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION 68 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
ETRO blouse and trousers and SARA BATTAGLIA bag at AMOR 74 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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TOM FORD at PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION 68 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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ODED KASHI 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
LANVIN dress and SEGIO ROSSI shoes at HELGA DESIGN 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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MSGM dress and CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN boots at AMOR 74 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
LANVIN dress and JIMMY CHOO sandals at HELGA DESIGN 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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BALMAIN at PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION 68 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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MANOUSH 30 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
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HELGA DESIGN Dress by LANVIN and Sandals SERGIO ROSSI 12 Hey Beiyar Street, Tel Aviv.
Make up : Eran Pal / Hair Styling: Liraz Agam / Model : Lena Antonyuk @MC2 Tel-Aviv
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6 HEY BEIYAR STREET, KIKAR HAMEDINA, TEL-AVIV, 03-6040167
Chloe
Stella McCartney
Celine
THE KNIT-SET BY. TAL SHIRY
Oversize
knits
have
become
Fall/Winter 2014-2015.
the
new
fashion
Head-to-toe knitwear
statement
for
with elongat-
ed sleeves, split detail, sweater dresses, elegantly tailored symmetric silhouettes. The longer the better. The chunkier the cooler.
Derek Lam
Calvin Klein Collection
Michael Kors
Sonia Rykiel
Edun 41
A PIECE OF fineART BY. TAL SHIRY
Luxury is rare by definition, something unique and one of a kind. Yet what makes a true jewellery master like Oded Kashi is the ability to create a masterpiece every time. Oded Kashi stands alongside the world’s best-known jewellery masters. Over time he has been able to maintain his strong reputation due to his unique creative process and involvement in every creation. Creating a piece of jewellery is a real journey, from choosing the finest stones to the creation process itself. There is something special about a family business, especially if they are able to maintain the high standard and reputation of the brand throughout the years. The story of the Kashi’s family started in the middle of the 19th century in Azerbaijan. They were members of a small Jewish community that spoke Aramaic. After the Bolshevik revolution they moved to Jerusalem and where they continued to develop their jewellery business. Oded Kashi is the heart and soul of the brand, bringing his knowledge, his fine taste, and elegant spirit to his work. Kashi’s designs are all unique and one of a kind with each and every piece tells us a story. Kashi understands that every woman has her own distinct individuality and character, and her type of jewellery should be a reflection of this.
Oded Kashi has designed two main collections: the “Timeless Collection” and the “Colour Collection”. The “Timeless” collection are mostly created using white diamonds and white gold to produce a classic range of new designs. Whereas, the essence of his fashion range, the “Colour Collection”, is to work with genuine gems. These are often unconventional cuts and sizes that are turned into unique and colourful pieces. In each collection he offers a matching set of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Kashi recently released a fashionable and trendy jewellery line, ranging from full hand and full fingers pieces. These include the “Sneak Collection” that was created with rose gold and diamond settings.
26 Hey Beiyar St. Kikar Hamedina Tel-Aviv
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43 30 HEY BEIYAR STREET, KIKAR HAMEDINA, TEL-AVIV, 03-6092666
MENSWEAR
MOVE INTO COMFORT ZONE
Dolce&Gabbana
Paul Smith
Lanvin
Traditionally style guides across the world have spoken about suits and always emphasised the importance of ‘the right cut’ or ‘the right color’. The suit has always been about the shape, the fabric, the look, but rarely about comfort. Wih the recent sport trend that graced menswear catwalks, the new suits are not only beautiul but also easy to wear. The new era of the comfort suit sees the menswear staple enter a new chaper, one that is entirely compatible with, and reflective of, the new millennium. Interestingly, it was Paul Smith in an interview with Details magazine who mentioned that “Generally speaking, I wear a suit every day… they are comfortable. They move with me.” It’s a great reminder of the importance of ensuring that suits do not constrain the wearer. Men should feel comfortable and free, rather than rigid and stifled. This is the new revolution in menswear: men are no longer expected to choose between comfortable clothes and a tailored outftit. An example of this are Paul Smith’s black wool trousers with a drawstringadujustable wasitband. They have a tailored vibe and an elegant style yet the drawstring waistband ensures the clothes are easy to wear, giving the impression that the man is on vacation rather than in the board room. Other designers have also embraced the trend: Lanvin’s rebel dandy combined punk with fine tailoring, an unusal harmony that brought together sexiness and rebellion with comfort. Givenchy continued with their pop fascination, presenting their fall collection in a basketball court, by adopting a causal new take on tailoring: loose trousers puddling at the ankle, new cuts of jackets and tracksuits paired with jackets.
THE NEW SEASON IS ALL ABOUT MAKING MEN FEEL COMFORTABLE .
BY SAHAR SHALEV
Givenchy
Designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and Armani also followed suit. Their winter collections expressed a sense of comfort and fun, a notable contrast to the more sombre feel to previous collections. Gucci, led by Creative Director Frida Giannini, took inspiration from the Mod British youth subculture of the 1960s. You can still get your suit there, but expect powder pink blazers, pale blue military shirts and neoprene, the new tech-textile that adds ease and gives freedom to the ensemble. Dolce and Gabbana played with their sicilian iconography, combining elegant trousers with oversized sweatshirts printed with images of historical figures. Burberry also introduced softness and freedom combining feminine and masculine influences with their soft fabrics, flannel, tweeds and silk. The new season is all about making men feel comfortable. Following the sport revolution and the return of the dandy comes the new man who combines elegance and style with comfort and ease. In embracign this change men can combine items together to create a unique, fashionable and trendy look. Pairing Lanvin jumpers with sport pants from Ralph Lauren, tailored jackets from Paul Smith and casual Givenchy trousers, white crisp shirts from Dolce & Gabbana with bomber jackets. The movement towards comfort in men’s clothing is not only a new chapter in terms of softer tailoring and new fabrics. It is also represents making menswear more fun, more breathable and more comfotable. In an age where we comfort eat, it seems only appropriate that we enjoy our comfort chicken soup dressed comfortably.
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THE YOUNG HEART OF BALMAIN Photography by Nicolas Kantor Words by Roza Sinaisky
Olivier Rousteing is a rare bread of fashion designers, he is the youngest designer since Yves Saint Laurent to take over an established Parisian fashion house, a significant achievement given the French fashion industry’s traditional approach to welcoming young designers.
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To be 28 years old and have a whole fashion empire in your hands takes a lot of confidence, knowledge and motivation and Olivier certainly got all that. Olivier greets us in his atelier (or as he likes to call it his “universe”) not far from where the Balmain boutique is and immediately we can feel the positive energy he projects right away and after two coffee shots and he is ready to go! We can really see the Balmain spirit and your individuality here please tell us about this space? Olivier Rousteing: You can really see all my moods and inspirations here, but it’s not only about the clothes and the work, I also like to have my personal objects around me so I feel connected to myself all the time, like the Miami Vice dvd’s and some letters from friends and family. What I like about it is that it’s in central Paris, my office, the atelier and the shop are very near each other so it’s very convenient. You joined Balmain when you were only 25 - and just after Christophe Decarnin`s, the man who put the house in the highlight again, departure. How did you deal with that pressure? Olivier Rousteing: I am a very independent person, I left my parents home in Bordeaux at the age of 18 and went to study fashion in Italy shortly after I was an intern at Cavalli and from there things moved really fast and I got a job at Balmain as a design assistant to Christophe Decarnin when I was 23. When they offered me the position I couldn’t believe it, I thought they will give it to some big designer like Tom Ford for example but they really believed in me and in my vision and although it was a risk to take on someone so young they offered me the job. The pressure can be scary but I come from a background where I had to fight for what I have, I am adopted and had to prove myself all my life, but I know I always get my way by working hard and fighting for it. It’s important to remember it’s just clothes and have proportions in life and I want to keep this spirit.
THE PRESSURE CAN BE SCARY BUT I COME FROM A BACKGROUND WHERE I HAD TO FIGHT FOR WHAT I HAVE, I AM ADOPTED AND I HAD TO PROVE MYSELF ALL MY LIFE. 47
What are you planning next for Balmain? For me, even though Balmain is a traditional French house I still want to take it on an international level, I always looks for inspirations and references in different places, like the pre fall 2014 collection is all about safari. I love mixing different cultures and ethnicities as the women I design for are so diverse. For example I designed previously a collection inspired by the Faberge egg and now my collection is inspired by the safari, so I change my reference every time but it’s still speaks the Balmain language. Do you think a woman can be glamorous without spending a lot of money on clothes?
Looks like you turned Balmian into a young and a more fun and sexy brand, does it has something to do with your age and connection to the modern couture? Olivier Rousteing: First thing I did when I started my job here is deciding to style the looks and the show myself, for me it seemed very old fashioned to have an outside stylist or consultant to tell me how my clothes can look good, I have my own language my own aesthetic that is transformed in everything that we do here at Balmain, it’s all a way to express myself and I want people to see that. You are an active user of Twitter and Instagram Do you feel that social media has any influence at you and at fashion in general? Do you ever worry you’re sharing too much? Fashion seems like such a closed world, very elitist and unapproachable, with social media I want to change that, I want to show that I am human I can take a selfie after a night of party and say “I am tired” or take a snap of “chicken nuggets”as my lunch and that will make me connect with people, everyone can relate to that. Many great designers of the old generation loose their sense of humanity under the fashion pressure and drama so I think social media keeps you connected to your crowd and keeps your feet on the ground, even though my lifestyle seems very glamorous I want people to see I am still very much human and I want to be treated like that. I want to give hope and tell a fairy tale through my clothes and through social media.
Of course, when I design a collection I sell a fairy tale but it’s a real fairy tale, a woman doesn’t have to buy one dress for 25K she can go to our store and get a really nice blazer that she will wear for years, I design for all women and want to see my clothes on different types of girls. I see a lot of Balmain “copies” on the high street so that is also a good way to get the Balmain look without paying the high price. You don’t mind finding copies of you work in cheaper shops? Not at all, I think it’s old fashioned to be in denial about coping in fashion, everyone is copying now, I am proud that my clothes are inspiring others it means that Balmain is a trend setter and I am very flattered to see young people mixing the Balmain ideas in a more trendy nonchalant way. For example, my assistant coming to work one day in a black and white diamond sweatshirt she bought in H&M or Zara that was exact copy from our diamond collection, I thought it was funny and I like the combination. I think fashion should be even more popular now, I want it to be like music or movies, it is a big part of today’s culture and it’s important people will be aware of it. And how is you Balmain team - you might have taken a lot of young and talented people with you when came to the house as a creative director. I love my work because I work with a great team, and even though this is a very traditional maison all my team is so young, we are like a family here we spend all our week together and so it’s important for me to have a good environment. I don’t feel like I am working so hard because I am in good company all the time. We stay late in the studio and we like to play loud music and dance. The team has been here since I worked here as an assistant so we already developed a good dynamic. It’s important to have fun and enjoy your work.
You made Rihanna the face of your new spring campaign and called her a new icon - not once. Why is she the perfect fit for Olivier Rousteing`s Balmain? This campaign happened in a very natural and very quick way, Rihanna is my friend she really has the spirit of Balmain she knows exactly what fits her, she is strong but also very humble she can wear a pyjamas and look like a red carpet dress and the opposite, she has the right attitude. The whole idea started from me dreaming about her staring in a Balmian campaign the morning after I texted her and asked “Will you make my dream come true”?? She said yes! Working with her was so much fun, I wouldn’t even call it work! It was just a fun day in New York with loud music, good team of people and good food, she was trying things on and we just had a lot of fun.
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I LOVE MIXING DIFFERENT CULTURES AND ETHNICITIES AS THE WOMEN I DESIGN FOR ARE SO DIVERS.
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Hamedina Square (He Be’Iyar 28)
Ramat-Aviv-Mall Tel Aviv†† Alrov Mamilla Avenue Jerusalem
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Make your style memor
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morable @kikarhamedina
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