Did "Israel Fashion Art" Album-Book by Nurit Bat-Yaar Inspire Paris' S/S 2012 catwalk?

Liza Boker fabric snake outfit in Avi Ganor's photo exclusive to "Israel Fashion Art"
"שיכרון עיצובים - אמנות האופנה בישראל" album-book by Nurit Bat-Yaar, modeled by Tami Ben-Ami.

Hi, when prince charming, beloved Alber Albaz of Lanvin (who made the presigeous Time magazine's 100 List) kindly wrote an introduction to my album-book "Israel Fashion Art" "שיכרון עיצובים - אמנות האופנה בישראל" he concentrated on our very first encounter. It was before he had even registered for fashion studies at Shenkar. He was a soldier in charge of cultural affairs and approached me asking if I would agree to give a fashion lecture to some soldier girls within a small fashion show of Liza boker's designs. No wonder Boker, was Alber's choice. She was one of Israel's most creative fashion talents in the 1980s and was very highly regarded by Alber.

After viewing Lanvin's s/s 2012 magnificent show a couple of weeks ago - I couldn't stop thinking of
Elbaz's appreciation of her. The reason was Alber's stunning Svarovsky snake dresses design. Was Elbaz inspired by Boker's fabric snake design seen here above. By the idea of its swirling around the the model's body and neck? I believe so. Consciounsly or un-consciously seeing it and recalling it in "שיכרון עיצובים - אמנות האופנה בישראל" must have influenced his own very unique snake dresses designs.
And thus, I am happy to conclude that the historic album-book "Israel Fashion Art" had its share in inspiring Paris catwalks creations.



Alber Elbaz for Lanvin Paris s/s 2012 Photo curtsey of Style.com

This was not the first time Alber made references in his Lanvin's creations to his Israeli cultural hertigage. Another one was a collection he created from long strips of grosgrain ribbons which corresponded with a dress Maskit's Fini Leitersdorf designed for Golda Meir (for her meeting with Gana's President) from such ribbons during the Tsena period, when rationing policy made fabrics scarced and need became the mother of invention.

"Israel Fashion Art" and the ATA exhibit.

The ATA Kova Tembel Hat from "Israel Fashion Art" album book by Nurit Bat-Yaar

This 1954 photo may not be a typical "Israel Fashion Art" "שיכרון עיצובים - אמנות האופנה בישראל" picture as the book concentrates on the creative and imaginative aspects of Israeli designs, yet it is included in it since it depicts the pioneers' garb made from sturdy ATA haky cotton and its most famous accessory the "kova tembel" hat. This hat became one of the typically Israeli head-cover in the early days of the state. It protected the heads of kibuts inhabitans, urban youth during their trips around the country, kids on the beach and workers in the fields. Along with the "biblical sandals" it became the symbol the the Tsabar born in the holly land.

The reason I'm showing it here at this time is an exhibit devoted to ATA at Museum Erets Israel which will open next week. ATA was the first and largest textile conglomorate in Israel. It was founded in the 1930' by the Muller family and specialised in quality cotton basics providing the British Army's uniforms, and Israel's need for haki working clothes used to build and protect the country. ATA's "presentor" was David Ben-Gurion himself whose haky's slacks and shirt helped him to express his ideology about the importance of creating new kibutsim and other settlements and protecting them and give up personal adornments in favour of public ideals.

Ben-Gurion with Itsak Rabin and Igaal Alon in ATA's haky uniforms in 1949 photo from "Israel Fashion Art" album-book.

At some point, ATA also offered embroidered Rubashka shirts which were worn by 1940' and 1950's youth on festive occasions. The hand-embroidered ones were supplied to the ATA stores by Rut Dayan who provided work to newcomer embroiderers. While at Maskit, Rut Dayan used ATA's cotton fabric for Maskit's less expensive printed dresses.  At Maskit, the fabrics were adorned with Maskit's typical Israeli colorful motives such as vineyard leafs, menoras, and Morocan ceramic inspired prints.
ATA was also an exporter that participated in the Israel Fashion Weeks held by the Export Institute. In the 1960' and in the 1970' the company hired fashion designers and tried to appeal to fashion-oriented men and women. However at that time most of its local clients were middle-aged men and women who remembered and appreciated the quality cotton outfits. The younger crowd prefered the boutiques' more swinging approach to fashion.

Dan Patir Salutes "Israel Fashion Art" Album-Book

A Yaron Minkowski hat-mask photo exclusive to "Israel Fashion Art" by Nurit Bat-Yaar.
 Photo: Gadi Dagon. Styling: Nurit Bat-Yaar.

Hi, I can't thank you enough for your appreciation of my book "Israel Fashion Art"
"שיכרון עיצובים - אמנות האופנה בישראל". After investing over seven years in the research behind this book
and pouring all my artistic know-how and sensitivities into the selection of its photos and into the creation of some of them - I am very grateful for getting your important responses, some in-person or by phone but most via this marvelous channel called FaceBook.

People like Yael and Dan Patir, former Press Attache in the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C, who told me that "the book is a masterpiece" and that they "salute" me "for creating it" definitely made my week. I was no less excited reading the accolades received by Adi Navon who wrote to me that it's "a marvelous book, the first Israeli one on the subject of fashion that was done in an ultimate professional manner, including a deep analysis, on a level parallel to that of the Taschen and the Victoria and Albert Museum books."

I was very happy to hear from: Sigal Henennson that she bought several copies of the book as gifts for her many fashion, art and textile fans' friends; from Keren Baruch that she is looking forward to getting the book now that she is moving up to her next position and leaving her present job since at the company she works at is giving the book as a parting gift; and from Jacko Gabay who is planning to give the book as a holiday present to the employees of his fashion chain stores.

I would also like to thank Gonen Nesher who wrote that "the book is one of the most fascinating he has seen in the past several years" and thanked me for "the exciting visual experience and reading" and to all the other fans whose lovely responses are attached here.

This is the 14th bunch of responses to the book I'm uploading. The previous ones were posted on Feb, 20, 2010, on Aug, 3, 2010, on Aug, 13, 2010, on Sept. 16, 2010, on Oct. 6, 2010, on Oct.23, 2010, on Nov. 26, 2010 ,on Dec. 16, 2010, on Jan.2, 2011, on March 16, 2011, on May 20, 2011, on June 27, 2011 and Aug. 1, 2011 posts.

Responses from the Academy were posted on (May 3, 2010 ), Museum Curators (July 18, 2010), and the Press (June 16, 2010) .


Shimon Peres, Israel's President's so highly appreciated, heart-warming response was posted on Oct. 15, 2010.

עדי נבון Adi Navon, FB. June 3,2011
ספר נהדר שקניתי בעודו חם עם ריח נייר גזור ודיו טרי, הספר הראשון בארץ בתחום שעשוי בצורה מקצועית לעילא כולל ניתוח מעמיק , ברמה של ספרי טאשן ו'ויקטוריה ואלברט' נמצא אצלי במקום של כבוד בספריה המקצועית

מריה אלפר Maria Elper, designer. June 5, 2011
"חובה בכל בית :)"

דרור כץ Dror Katz, Photographer. June 15, 2011
בטח, כבר יש לי את הספר המדהים הזה! כבר קיבלתי עותק ואני משוויץ בו כל הזמן (-:

עדה רפאלי Ada Refaeli, FB. June, 20, 2011
איזה יופי!!!סוף סוף ספר בנושא!למרות שאני מכירה נסיונות אחרים, הספר הזה נראה בהחלט שווה ונאה. איך ניתן להשיג אותו בבקשה?‬"

מיכל גוטפריד Michal Gottfried, FB. June, 20, 2011
"תודה נורית ובהצלחה, הספר מרשים מאוד!"

ברוריה הראל (שניידר) Bruria Harel, Artist. June,20, 2011
הי נורית - את בטח זוכרת אותי כברוריה שניידר מגינגט - הרבה שנים חלפו מאז. ב26 השנים האחרונות גרתי באמריקה, עסקתי בפיסול ובאמנות ציורי הבד שלי, שעליהם בזמנו כתבת את המאמר הצבעוני הראשון בדפי האמצע של מגזין השבת של ידיעות אחרונות, פלוס השער הצבעוני הראשון שהיה ציור שלי מתערוכת הקרנבל בריו.
את הספר המקסים שלך יש לי כמובן! עשית עבודה נפלאה. ראיתי גם את הכתבה בטלויזיה. את נראית יופי כמו תמיד. כל טוב ולהתראות ברוריה"

סיגל הננסון Sigal Henennson, FB. June 26, 2011
היי נורית...רכשתי כבר אי אלו עותקים ואני מעניקה אותו כמתנה לכל מי שאני מאמינה שטכסטיל בכלל ואופנה ישראלית בפרט קרוב ללב

עדה הוז פלס June 26, 2011 Ada Hos-Peles, N.Y. Journalist
ספר/אלבום מדהים!!! כתבתי לך שיר הלל ארוך בפייסבוק שנמחק לצערי בתואנה ש'יש יותר מדי מילים'... אז שלחתי לך אי-מייל רגיל, שמשום מה חזר אלי. אכתוב לך שוב. ותודה, תודה

יחזקאל אדירם Yehezkel Adiram, journalist. June 30, 2011
אצטרף ברצון למעריצי הספר שלך.הוא אכן ראוי לכל המלצה

רינת אונגר טמבור Rinat Ungar Tambour, FB. June 30, 2011
הי נורית, תודה רבה! הספר נראה מדהים! יום קסום. רינת

דליה ארזי Dalia Arazi, wife of Scitex' genious founder Effi Arazi
July 1, 2011
נורית מדהימה, כיף לראות את
ספרך המדהים. כל ההדפסים היפים, והצבעים
המרהיבים. אחד הספרים הכי יפים שיש.
ואכן השם כל כך מתאים "שיכרון עיצובים"..:)
שבת שלום.

רני ששון Rani Sasson, artist. July 3, 2011
הספר שלך על תולדות האופנה בישראל מקסים ומרתק ,שבוע טוב
רני.‏

גונן נשר Gonen Nesher, FB. July 9, 2011
הי נורית,
מכיר היטב את ספרך
מהמרתקים והמושכים בהם נתקלתי בשנים האחרונות.
תודה על חוייה קריאה ויזואלית מרשימה
ובכלל - על כול פעולך בתחום
אמשיך לעקוב,
גונן