Shay Shalom Unveils Intimate Personal Collection at Tel Aviv Fashion Week
Designer Shay Shalom debuted his most intimate collection at Tel Aviv Fashion Week, inspired by childhood memories and his late mother's jingling bracelets.
Designer Shay Shalom presented his most personal and intimate collection to date, titled "The Sound of an Embrace and Longing," at the Israel Canada Tel Aviv Fashion Week. Known for maintaining a low profile over his 24-year career, Shalom moved away from last year's military-inspired theme to focus on cherished childhood memories of his late mother.
The runway featured 30 meticulously tailored ensembles, blending materials like silk taffeta, Solstice lace, lightweight wool, crepe, and silk organza. The color palette ranged from pale grays and cold light blue to bronze, gold, and deep blacks. Shalom's studio operates on a bespoke, appointment-only basis, acting as the antithesis of fast fashion. Located on HaRakevet Street, the studio offers a stark, serene contrast to the gritty Tel Aviv street outside.
Reflecting on his creative journey, Shalom noted that his relationship with producer Moti Reif began while he was still a student at Shenkar College. Over the decades, Reif's fashion weeks have provided a vital platform for showcasing structured collections. However, Shalom's latest works draw heavily from personal history, specifically inspired by the memory of his mother, who ran the Venus boutique in Beersheba during the 1980s.
The collection's standout motif—the sound of jingling metal bracelets—was translated into intricate metallic waist belts, trench coat cuffs, and clutch bags. These elements were custom-developed by Shalom's studio over months of intensive handcrafting. By translating the comforting sound of his mother's embraces into wearable art, Shalom delivered a deeply emotional and sophisticated runway experience that resonated profoundly with the audience.
