Eyal Shani in a Surprising New Role: From Fine Dining to the Bezalel Runway
Renowned chef Eyal Shani will be a special guest at the annual Bezalel Academy fashion show in Jerusalem. The final event will take place on the campus rooftop, showcasing graduate designs that explore pressing social issues.
The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem is concluding its graduate exhibition season with its highly anticipated annual fashion show. Hosted by the Department of Jewelry and Fashion, led by Shanit Elkayam Adam, the event will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Supported by the Jerusalem Foundation and the Youth Authority, the show will be held on the rooftop terrace of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel campus, offering a spectacular view of the city.
The highlight of the evening will be the appearance of chef Eyal Shani on the runway, modeling pieces designed by recent graduates Itam Lehman and Guy Yarzin. Alongside Shani, 33 graduates will present their own collections of apparel, jewelry, and footwear, aiming to re-examine the relationships between the body, materials, identity, and the reality in which we live.
These projects were shaped by a reality saturated with upheaval and address a variety of social issues, including:
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Gambling addiction
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The status of women
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Power dynamics in the workplace and sports
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The image of the "witch" as a female symbol seeking to reclaim power and voice
Furthermore, the works explore themes of vulnerability and resilience, the tension between tradition and contemporaneity, and the search for spaces of healing, protection, and belonging.
The show will feature a live musical performance by artist Ziv Barashi, who has composed a unique set combining vocals and electronic beats, accompanied by trumpeter Tal Avraham.
