| Batia Malka | Inside The Womb |
| As you probably know I’m drawn to all the beautiful things in life and that is what I mostly post about. Batia Malka is a young ceramic artist who touched a soft spot inside me. Her “Inside The Womb” is so disturbing in so many levels but at the same time so sensitive and revealing. I’m speechless at this point. I leave each one to his thoughts. {DesignBreak found Batia here} www.batiamalka.com |
| MezooMe | Anat Biala | I See Cute Creatures Everywhere |
| Oh my, I guess someone heard me out there… I’m in a quest for adorable kids stuff now that I see babies everywhere thanks to my friends and special someone in my family. Those cutesy creatures will be such a bright addition to my… sorry, their never ending collection. BTW, Mezoome products are manufactured with eco-friendly organic materials. You can find bedding and wall stickers at MezooMe’s Etsy shop. www.mezoome-designs.com |
| One On One Break | Oded Arama | Put Yourself In His Shoes |
| I’m inspired by driven people and with this guy, I guess it’s an understatement! Oded Arama looks like the guy who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, full speed. That’s why this time my One On One Break is extra special to me. The fact that at this moment Oded designs only men shoes makes me love him even more. We need men like him around here! That doesn’t mean I won’t look for his creations for women. His blog and Etsy shop are just a mouse click away. www.so-arama.com |
| I’d love to hear about you, your journey, how it all began. | |
| I guess I have always been drawn to shoes. Starting at the age of 5 when I first watched a short TV film about the industrial shoemaking process. I always found the way a shoe is made to be magical. The way a piece of fine leather, an insole, a shank and beautiful sole can transform into a gorgeous 3d object. Beautiful to view on it’s own and even more on the wearer. A shoe can transform a look from casual to elegant in seconds, as well as our posture and walk. Years later, as I was about to obtain my BDes in Fashion Design at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, I was working with a shoemaker in Tel Aviv to help me create the shoes for my womenswear collection. I was absolutely amazed by the creative process for the shoes and its beautiful outcome and just had the feeling it was only the beginning of something much greater. Months later I travelled to London for a very exciting internship in fashion studio Preen, where I had the privilege of being part of the creative process for the 2009 spring/summer collection. Later that summer, I applied for a footwear diploma at Cordwainers College which is one of London College of Fashion schools. I had an amazing experience learning the craft of shoemaking where legends such as Georgina Goodman, Rupert Sanderson, Nicholas Kirkwood and Jimmy Choo made their first steps in the footwear arena. Finally, I realized my dream – opening a luxury footwear brand for men, based in the city of Tel Aviv. | OdedArama |
| Can you describe your work process? | |
| My work varies from design aspects to manufacture, distribution and PR. The design process is very long and rewarding at the same time. It would either begin with a sketch, a photo or a piece of material I simply go crazy for. Next, I would copy the design’s lines to the last that seems to be the most suitable for my design. I would forward it to my pattern-maker for the first pattern. Then I would proceed to work with my manufacturer, doing as many samples as it takes to make my visual dreams come true (this process usually takes 1-2 months). I tend to create the samples and then make up my mind which ones are the strongest one to be part of the actual collection. | OdedArama |
| Which materials do you work with? | |
| Since I have Graduated my BA in Fashion Design at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, I believe I have gained a strong knowledge and openness towards different sorts of materials. Therefore, I like using anything from amazing moire taffeta fabric to genuine black calf leather. My soles are all leather, which makes them very comfortable and breathable. | OdedArama |
| What is the most unusual piece you have ever designed? | |
| While studying at London College of Fashion I have designed a black square-toe shoe with a very unusual leather sole unit, that looked amazing with a unique silhouette. | OdedArama |
| Do you think you will ever design women shoes? | |
| It’s actually “in the making”, but that’s all I can say for the time being… | OdedArama |
| What’s next? What is your dream? | |
| I have lots of dreams and ideas.I would like to expand my collections in the upcoming future, establish international selling points and open a cozy boutique in Tel Aviv. I love collaborations and so I would love to collaborate with other artists and designers to create interesting projects together. | OdedArama |
| If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it? | |
| Probably a lot! Even though life has a tendency to have you make the most of less time. It’s all about time management! | OdedArama |
| I’m curious to know where does your inspiration come from? | |
| I believe I am like a vessel filled with different sorts of visual beauties that attracts me. Each time I design I would reach to something that “feels right” and that would be the starting point, and later things would evolve further on… I admire photography art by Man Ray, abstract paintings by Gerhard Richter, music by Bjork and Tori Amos and the beauty of organic shapes in nature. | OdedArama |
| Can you tell me which designers inspire you? | |
| I admire the late New Yorker footwear designer Beth Levine for her amazing creations. I am inspired by the work of the late French designer Madeleine Vionnet for her views about the design process and timeless design signature. | OdedArama |
| What about some websites and blogs that you visit regularly? | |
| I really like checking stumbleupon.com, where I always find interesting things happening. I also like The Shoe Snob, a very interesting blog by a young footwear designer living in the U.K. | OdedArama |
| What is the best advice you’ve ever received? | |
| I don’t believe there is such a thing as “best advice”. I learn new things everyday from people around me: family, friends, colleagues and clients. I would say the most important thing is to be open-minded to the world around you. | OdedArama |
| Student Break | Sivan Yahav Lotan | One Perfect Memory |
| Sometimes it’s not easy here at DesignBreak. Like when I get about twenty perfect photographs and I have to leave most of them out… Sivan, you gave me hard time ;) Sivan is a 2010 graduate of the Jewelry Design Department of Shenkar College of Engineering and Design. She dealt with the idea of flawless memory. “Each memory changes over time some details are forgotten, lost, mixed up or replaced and other parts become more meaningful and clearer. In Sivan’s world the memory materializes in the form of seaweed. You can get in touch with Sivan here: lotansivan {at} gmail {dot} com |
| World Break | Jennifer Loiselle | Connect The Dots |
| The first time I stumbled upon Jennifer’s world of dots my heart missed a beat. If only I could rock this stunning headband. Luckly for me, I can definitly see my self wear it as a necklace. Thank you Jennifer for making it a win win situation for all of us out there! Don’t forget to pop into Jennifer’s Etsy shop if dots is your thing. {DesignBreak found Jennifer here} {This is a British World Break} |
| Tamara | fabriclicious! |
| Tamara’s accessories have a special place in my heart. Her necklace was one of the first that led the way for me to become an accessories junkie. Tamar has this unbelievable ability to turn a pile of fabrics into the most stunning statement piece. www.tamara-design.co.il |
| Liat Waldman | I Can’t Help It… |
| It only takes one hand to count my all time favorite visual heavens. Two of them are all things origami and silhouette. It can come in all sizes, shapes or forms. Liat Waldman, whom I wrote about before, made me feel like a little girl in a candy shop with her to die for creation. I’m having a hard time choosing my favorite between these three… www.liatwaldman.com |
