The designer, Tamar Primak, of Ishtar during interviews!

In between shows during TLVFW, a few us of were invited inside the home of the designer of Ishtar, just off the coast of Tel Aviv. It was exactly what we needed at the time…to escape the fashion week tents and get a taste of the real Israel. The designer’s home was just incredible and soo cozy. It’s not only her home, but her studio where she embroiders and sews the clothes. I’m obsessed with the intricate colors and details to her denim pieces along with the beautiful, soft maxi dresses. Jenni Lee and I got a bit hands on and decided to go ahead and play dress up. I fell in love with that sheer Ishtar maxi dress and immediately put it on over a little slip. What’s cool is that every piece sort of tells a story. The collection as a whole captures a girl in the desert, who has been there all her life, likes to walk barefoot, and is completely free. The way she describes the collection is really beautiful. Over tea and traditional Israeli pastries, we not only discussed the collection, but also got to share stories about this country and how it is viewed to the rest of the world. Tel Aviv is a bit like this little bubble in Israel: a place where you go in the country that is a lot more liberal. After hearing their stories, I knew that there was also much more to Israel that I didn’t get to discover yet…there is the Dead Sea…there are the little towns that have completely disconnected themselves from the rest of the world. They really got my curiosity running wild and already, I’m dying to return just to explore everything else I didn’t quite get to see this time around.

(Porter Grey blouse, Kolae trousers, Matt Bernson shoes)

Coffee break in between shows with my favorite British girls Poppy Dinsey and Gabriele Dirvanauskas)

The Roberto Cavalli show!

Before I introduce you to the new, up and coming designers of Tel Aviv, I just HAD to show you a few images from the Roberto Cavalli show. To have him there to introduce the first day of Tel Aviv Fashion Week was pretty amazing. I’m obsessed with that white fur number and slinky black tank dress. SEXY TO THE MAX. For my first day attending shows, I went with a super simple look: a peter pan collared tank (YES I WORE A TANK AND IT’S NOVEMBER…only in Israel I guess!) along with a silky pair of trousers. My leather jacket is always on hand of course. It was basically the most comfortable, and easiest thing to jump into after I got off the plane. I literally had about 30 minutes to get ready! Thankfully at the tents, I made some great friends which made my arrival that much more inviting! I met up with Poppy (who I shot Mango with earlier this year in Spain) and Gabriele (writing for The Sun) from London. Throughout our trip, we were inseparable. These girls make me laugh like no other! I honestly only want to speak in a British accent when I’m around them, even if I do sound absolutely ridiculous! Together, we bounced from show to show, with mini breaks at the local cafe. It was the only place with wifi sooo those coffee meet ups were kind of a must! I can’t wait to share some images of the new emerging designer collections. Those will be next!

(Bar III blazer, Pavonine jumper, Matt Bernson shoes, Rebecca Minkoff bag, Ax + Apple necklaces)

Ocean View from my hotel!

This is my little nugget/ travel buddy Jenni Lee!

Ishtar, an Israeli designer that I LOVE. Making a surprise runway appearance in her show today!

Woooweee, okay, so it’s 6 am here in Tel Aviv, Israel and after a long night out, I’m up and of course on here, looking through my travel photos! I was flown out to Tel Aviv for their first ever fashion week and so far, it’s been absolutely amazing. I arrived Monday morning at around 6 am, checked in the hotel, and honestly 1 hour later, was seated at my first show at the tent. Everything has been super professional and I’ve already seen SO many wonderful runway shows! After watching 5 shows in one day, my friends and I literally just want to plop a squat 2 seconds away on the beach. Speaking of which, I’ve already met so many wonderful people through this trip. Some from NYC whom I’ve traveled with, and some from London! I feel lucky to have gotten along so well with the others traveling for TLVFW. Not only have we been attending the shows, we’ve also been given the opportunity to visit the designer’s studios…taking us into the real world of Israel. Getting to speak with the Israeli designers on a more personal level is so wonderful because we learned a lot more about their culture, their country, and how Tel Aviv is this one place where they can really escape and create, live their dreams… given a lot more freedom. I’m excited to learn more about Israel and really get a feel for this country and it’s people. I have many more stories to tell, and many show photos to post up (can you say Roberto Cavalli?) so stayed tuned!!