One might think it frivolous — or perhaps ridiculously impractical— to ponder the latest style trends during a global pandemic. Yet, against all odds, the fashion industry is thriving. E-commerce is booming at an unprecedented rate. Style forecasters are reporting a surprising acceleration in clothing trends. According to Women’s Wear Daily, some brands are even witnessing an increase in retail sales. After watching supermodels strut down sanitized runways at New York Fashion Week, fashionistas and influencers flocked to Black Friday’s designer sales. Even Vogue editors recommended their picks for Cyber Monday.
Let us all temporarily cast aside our worn-out sweatpants and threadbare t-shirts and turn our attention to the creative efforts of up-and-coming designers. Although Jewish women already have made an indelible mark in the industry — thanks to the likes of Diane von Fürstenberg, Donna Karen, and Rebecca Minkoff (just to name a few) — these eight lesser-known Jewish designers are some of the most exciting visionaries of the fashion world:
Elisheva Rishon
Rishon is a Black Orthodox creator of Eli7 Designs, which proudly utilizes ethical production sources. In addition to managing the one-person business, Rishon proudly models her own eye-catching tops on the brand’s Instagram. The Brooklyn-born designer utilizes fashion as a means of celebrating her gender and ethnicity. Be sure to check out the “Ethnic-Racial Celebration Collection” and the #Jewishvibe Collection on the official website.
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Simin Rouhani Taghdiri
Taghdiri is the Persian American mastermind behind Simin Couture, which has been worn by both royalty and celebrities. In 2007, Taghdiri achieved worldwide recognition for designing a $19-million bejeweled wedding gown. A year later, the Los Angeles-based designer was honored for her artistic talent by the Iranian Jewish Women’s Organization. Her one-of-a-kind gowns have been showcased in Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Kensington Palace. Taghdiri’s clientele include Abigail Breslin, Paris Hilton, and the late Naya Rivera. The designer had been planning another collaboration with Rivera only weeks before the actress’s death.
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Ruti Zisser
Zisser was a bit of a latecomer to the fashion world. After spending over a decade working in the tech industry, the Israeli American designer founded RUTI Inc. from inside her Palo Alto home. The mother of three currently works as CEO and creative director for the ready-to-wear brand, which operates ten boutiques across the United States. Zisser also writes personal blog posts on the company’s official website.
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Mara Hoffman
Mostly run by women, Hoffman’s brand is celebrated for its sustainable manufacturing practices. The New York-based designer offers beachwear and ready-to-wear collections constructed from recycled fabrics. Her printed swimsuits and brightly patterned dresses are highly popular among the Hollywood elite. Although she is mostly recognized for her bold, colorful creations, Hoffman also offers muted, minimalist pieces made from organic cotton.
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Chana Marelus
The Tel Aviv-based Orthodox designer is renowned for her wonderfully romantic bridal designs, which have been featured on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and British Vogue. Born in Belgium, Marelus has successfully built an enthusiastic international following, all while staying true to her Haredi roots. Her gowns are admired for their modest-yet-modern lines, tasteful detailing and impeccable craftmanship.
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Antonina Samecka
The 37-year old Warsaw native is one of the two female founders of Risk: Made in Warsaw. The sustainable clothing brand was initially launched in 2011. A few years later, Samecka released the widely-acclaimed “RISK OY” line, which included playful casual tops decorated with Jewish symbols and Yiddish words. Although the line is no longer being offered, fans can still purchase stylish “environment friendly” pieces from the brand’s online shop.
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Lee Petra Grebenau
Grebenau already boasts an enormous following in her native Israel. In 2012, she received the American Express Promising Designer Award. Her timeless couture designs can be spotted on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. The intricate embroidery and exquisite bridal creations are regularly revered at the NYC Flagship Boutique. It is no wonder why Grebenau is the supreme darling of New York Bridal Fashion Week.
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Irina Shabayeva
Shabayeva became the first Jewish winner of Project Runway in 2009 (back when the reality competition show was still worth watching). The 38-year old Georgian-American designer has created attention-grabbing pieces worn by Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson. Shabayeva currently serves as the artistic director of Women’s Fashion for MJZ International while continuing to design couture evening gowns for Irina Shabayeva Bridal.
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Eve Rotman is a writer on the West Coast.
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