{Full Fury}

In my wildest dreams I never though the day I will be writing a post about politics and terror acts will arrive, but I simply cannot sit here and post yet another concoction of all things fabulous and ignore what unfortunately became very real to me. It’s one thing when you are watching news or reading an article online about this and that and how tense things are in the middle east but it’s an entirely different scenario to know your family is at the line of fire.

I won’t be sitting here and stating my political views, nor will I be bashing the news and saying how inaccurate and completely misplaced things often tend to be, but I can tell you my side of the story. My family lives in the south of Israel, and if you’ve been getting any whiff of the latest reports, you know that it’s the last place you would want to be at at the moment. Schools have been shut down for days, the city, according to my parents is a ghost town. Retail stores and commercial centers closed their doors to customers and except for a few grocery stores the city gone quite. At first, relying on their usual set of well tested coping mechanisms they were laughing the whole thing off, having a smoke on the balcony and listening to the sirens with a great deal of indifference, telling me everything is “just fine”. But when a missile landed in it’s full fury in our back yard, only steps away from a children’s play ground, it became really hard to remain falsely amused.

It goes without saying I speak to my family every day and check in in every chance I’ve got but to be completely honest I don’t know how one can deal … The all mighty tune of “the show must go on” is stuck on repeat at the back of my mind; Coats are waiting to be sewn, projects to be submitted, internships obtained and galas to be covered but even from a distance, obliging to most of my daily tasks, my heart is with all of you that for some twisted reason have to be in such unspeakable circumstances to begin with. To be afraid at your own four walls, to be mortified to board your usual form of public transportation for work, and to be constantly guessing where will they strike next? Stay safe and well protected, I am sending you my virtual support and strength to face the day…

I’ve decided to pair this post with the work of Theo Altenberg, a German artist which creations I find incredibly moving, as though he was stirring a storm of color an the canvas…

Furry Encounters {Instagramed}

I was browsing through a new favorite, The Telavivian, a creative web platform that gathers some of the best writers/bloggers in Tel Aviv and aspires to capture the greatness of the city. I must say that a short tour through the web-site left me impressed and on the more personal side effect, it fed into that longing for Tel-Aviv, because it truly is a special place, ever-changing and endlessly inspiring… I mean, they even have recipes! God I miss Israel sometimes… And you know what’s the best part? It’s in English, so if you have always been a tiny bit curious, read in…

The editorial above was embraced from The Fashion Blog section, I’m not sure which one I find more endearing the furry creatures Cara Delavigne is cradling or the fact this editorial was shot by Nick Knight using Instagram!

{Open Field}

Remember Julie? So…despite the fact it took me forever (!!!) to find the time and actually share these- here are a few of my favorite shots from our collaboration this winter back in Israel…

As I expected, this shoot turned out into a really cool adventure, the location (an open field in Ramat Ha-Sharon, not too far from Tel-Aviv, in case you were wondering…) and the whole atmosphere of the shoot really took me back… It was refreshing to be “just” the model (we had the feisty May Sebbag on stylist duty) and portray a different persona then I usually do…

I hope I’ll get the chance to explore my new affair with Julie Teitler, that was ever pleasant and extremely professional, dealing with any unexpected set backs with grace and relentless optimism…

{Golden Tips}

It’s not often that I’m facing the key board and having trouble to form a thought – yet here I am… I guess sometimes I don’t have much to say, since I haven’t figured out just yet what to think – if that makes any sense…However, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this ‘Proper Attire’ collaboration with Eldad on this black-gold combo…

 

I kind off fallen in love with the golden tips (nail polish…) and wanted to revolve my outfit around it…

Vintage blouse and Jacket, Skirt that I’ve made last semester, Sunnies by KISS, Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue golden clutch, Vintage bracelets and the chunky necklace I picked up in the garment district in NYC…

Captured by Eldad Carin

(Looking at these, I remember why is it that I like working with you so much…)

*Harnessed*Home*

I once wrote of my hometown it evokes this “awkward feeling of affection” within me and despite it being sort of unfavorable it will always be a huge part of me, and the person I am today… I suppose that will always remain so. I will always go back, stop by for a visit, pull over by the beach (even in the winter, what am I saying, especially in the winter), buy fresh tomatoes at the local market, drive by the old dancing school, have coffee on my parent’s porch and breath in all those memories, equally ground-breaking and completely insignificant at once.

In case you’re wondering what brought on this strange strike of confessions, it’s the backdrop of this shoot. These photos were taken in my hometown, in probably the most identified circle with the city, where “we” used to goof-around as kids and later as teenagers. It’s one of those places I’ll always have in my mind part of the pazzel that compiles my life in Israel… And I really do think, it’s sort of extraordinary in its presence…

The Leather Harness is a part of a collection I worked on recently worn over a blouse from Forever21 (an Israeli brand), skirt from H&M, Sunnies by KISS and the earings I picked up from a random store in the garment district NYC.

Captured by Amir Weiss, a new collaborator on board, hopefully this is just a start for our CHIC Trans-Atlantic dialog…

Tiny Revolution {Jeans}

If you’ve been following CHIC A LA’ RUSSE for a while now, you’ll know that seeing me in a pair of jeans is quite rare (I believe I counted 1,2,3…) but since this look was shot in THE land of jeans, I felt somewhat of an obligation to rock a look that will be anything but sadly casual, and let me explain. Every time I come to Israel, I am completely blown away by the amount of women wearing ONLY jeans (and I don’t mean it in as going topless…). I bet the jean companies are making a killing, but ladies! There are so many ways of presenting yourselves to the world that do not include low-cut Diesel’s (who knew they still make these!)… But hey, it’s just me and my tiny revolution, assisted by sequins and fur…

Vintage Sequin top (by SWEE LO), Custom made Mongolian fur collar, The Local Firm jeans, Vintage jewelry and watch, Boots by Patrizia Pepe, Sunnies by KISS and a purse I found in a thrift store!

Shot at the newly renovated “Ha Bima” (the national theatre) square by Eldad Carin.

{Eternal Love}

I think by now we were able to establish my eternal love to all things furry and black and this look is no exception… I don’t remember when was the last time I enjoyed a piece of clothing as much as I do with this vest (Did I mention my Mom is the best??? Her pick…) since it literally goes with every thing in my wardrobe, I find myself layering it on top of everyday run-arounds or evening glittery frocks as one and the best part is not only it always looks lush but it also keeps me warm!

Gifted fur vest, H&M velvet dress, Castro & Vintage jewelry, Sample belt I found in an exchange boutique, Leather bag I borrowed from my mom, Sunnies courtesy of China-Town and Boots by Patrizia Pepe.

Photographed by Eldad Carin, Make-Up by Alona Bell.

Monumentaly So…

I know I kept you waiting long enough for some proper attire reportage’ from the Holly Land, well… I hope it was worth waiting for! Yesterday morning, me and Guy (a new lense-man on the team, and quite honestly a delight to work with) were definitely in luck and got to shoot in the softest sun, right before it started pouring for the rest of the day…

Sunnies by KISS, Leather Jacket by Kenneth Cole paired with my new fur vest (best Christmas gift ever from my mom…), Leather gloves my dad brough from Russia, Black fur scarf I got in NYC (wrapped around my bun), The sweater dress I made last semester and boots by Patrizia Pepe…

In case you were wondering…These images were taken in a very special location in Tel Aviv, that carries a huge significance to every Israeli. This memorial monument by the renown artist Igal Tumarkin was constructed from rusty iron and glass in the memory of the holocaust and it stands proud in the square named after Isaac Rabin, Israel’s Prime Minister that was brutally assassinated (in that exact square) at the end of a political speech in 1995. Some might think the choice of this particular location is a tad controversial, but I think that fashion has always been a way to communicate and sometimes even to tell a story that goes beyond texture and color. As a third generation post the holocaust and being extremely involved in every aspect of investigating the tales of my family ( those who were lucky to survive, versus the ones that were not such…) and even going as far as visiting the concentration camps in Poland I can honestly say that although the memory will always be a crucial part of our lives it’s the life we should focus on. The fact that Israel was established is the one to be celebrated and further more I think that the fact that this monument was placed in such a central square and integrated into it’s surroundings (versus put behind glass in a museum…) ony symbolizes the way we should look upon it, remember but carry on…

Captured by Guy Prives

Bits & Pieces {Israel}

Today was what I define a very productive day…I woke up early and within the hour was behind the steering wheel, dodging traffic and tricking quite a few speeding cameras (Ha!) on my way to the heart of it all… Fashion, art and definitely the location of several  outstanding restaurants, as some of you might have guessed, I am talking about Tel-Aviv…

After finding the best parking spot ever (oh, so rare…) next to my former apartment, I’ve set camp in what used to be my neighborhood cafe and met up with the local squad of future CHIC A LA’ RUSSE collaborators… I simply can’t wait to share with you some bits and pieces of life as I know it in Israel…

(Azriali Towers by eiladerney123 & Tel-Aviv Harbor by simongelfand via Flickr)

First Glance

My hometown has a tendency of being the complete opposite to a fashion capital (no offense to the natives) therefore the location for the first snappies had to be perfect.

Unfortunately, since the compound is still under some last construction finishes I couldn’t reveal it to you in its full glory (I suppose it’s only an excuse to come back again…) but this is by far one of the most innovative structures in the city and once completed I have no doubt it will be one of the most impressive theaters in the country.

Vintage rain-coat, Sample belt, Pull & Bear top, H&M Skirt, Vintage purse, Necklace from Castro, and my China-Town Sunnies……….