Sustainable design is popping up all over Israel, and we’ve tried to cover as many of these designers as possible. Our survey of ten sustainable Israeli designers who reduce, reuse, and recycle covers tons of green, innovative, and aesthetic projects ranging from rubber tire handbags (that are surprisingly chic) to old suitcases-turned-shelving units.

So we were very happy to find out about a Sustainable Design Seminar starting at the Israeli Design Center in Holon next week, because that means that not only is the trend continuing, but it’s hitting the mainstream as well.

The five session seminar, led by Adital Ella (photographed above) and Yair Engel, both of whom are sustainable designers and experts in the field of sustainable design and industry, begins Tuesday June 9th, and is intended for designers, students, and those interested in the field of sustainability. Topics include: a history of Sustainable Design, related materials and approaches and a screening of the recent film, Addicted to Plastic (see trailer below).

More about the seminar here.
And for more on green initiatives and news from the Middle East check out Green Prophet

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A very creative, inspiring and funny friend of mine has started a new blog called Levavot which is Hebrew for hearts. It’s all about givin’ some luv, as her posts feature hearts in the oddest of places - bus stop ads, shops, streets, high schools, and more - the point is (well, there are several, bit one nice one, I think) there’s a lot of love in Israel and maybe we can all see it and share some with our fellow citizens, Jewish, Arab, Druze, Christian, whatever.

Ok, so that was a bit political, but it can also be a bit more personal. Take the time to see the romantic, sweet and touching love we all really want to share with someone, deep down. So check it out for yourselves and sign up for some added lovin’. There’s even a place to write in a charity you ‘heart’ so others will spread the word and generate support.

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Taking the outdoors in. Meeting nature with industry. Israeli born, Paris-based designer, and my personal superstar, Arik Levy, has done it again. Revamping the traditional indoors fireplace for a new, modern and abstracted collection for Planika Fires. Stripped down to the basic elements - fire, fuel and protection (albeit not exactly child-proof, but still encased in glass) - Levy’s coffee table are more natural function and industrial form.

No longer piled high logs or deeply inset caverns of fire, Levy’s new fireside chat-sites suggest what we need most is for these exterior, natural phenomena to fit in well with our industrial interiors. We need them to be beautiful (minimal, clean lines), match our decor (coated steel options in several colors), be easy to use (new liquid fuel called FANOLA® is smoke free, ash free and less harmful for the environment), and multitask (glass surround doubles as a coffee table). Ranging in price from $650 - $1350, Levy’s fireplaces are also, apparently, suitable for indoor and outdoor use but considering whether the glass table-top surround will hook onto your backpack for the hike up to the forest camp site, you’re better off leaving these fires burning indoors. All industry, with just a spark of nature.

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The Designist Dream All-December All-Holiday Gift Guide
(of items in, by or from Israel)

Because let’s face it, just because these gifts are from Israel doesn’t mean they can only be given on Hanukkah! Certainly on Christmas, even on Kwanzaa and why not on New Years - give away! And to celebrate the gift-giving spirit, I’ve found a slew of unique and (mostly) reasonably priced Israeli-made gifts for you, your loved ones, and maybe even a few on-loved but obligatory ones as the holiday seasons near. And I’ll reveal some great shopping sites for buying Israeli-made gifts in Israel and abroad.

And, as a bonus, Designist Dream will be teaming up with Modern Tribe to give away a fabulous present on Hanukkah to one luck reader! Jennie promises it’s going to be a really nice Israeli-designed item! So stay tuned for details on that early next week.

And, as if things couldn’t get any more exciting around here, on Hanukkah itself, December 22nd - 29th, I’ve decided to spend a bit time of time giving to others: I’ll be highlighting non-profit organizations here in Israel that use the arts to help people. It’s something I feel very strongly about and am excited to share with you all.

So let the good holiday times roll in December!

Above: A modern, cubic puzzle-piece style Hanukkiyah by Israeli designer Shlomi Schillinger available at Modern Tribe.

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So what to do with all this excitement until January 20th kicks in, you ask? How about take up a new hobby: knitting! With a nod to this week’s baggage theme, knitting gives you an outlet for mental anguish, physical excitement and visual pleasure - or material pleasure depending on how great your bag comes out. And Israel’s own 2KN knitting studio will show you how you can do it, yes you can. Founded by Billy Kimor and Miri Namer, strove to provide knitting fans - or bored individuals - with a hobby and habit to whittle away the hours productively. Located in the northern city of Haifa, 2KN sells materials and accessories and offers workshops, including a coffee clutch and knitting circle for women that apparently books up early, so, interetsed ladies, please register in advance.

And if you’re in the NY area, join 2KN founders at the Eldridge Road Knitting Salon in White Plains on November 20th to learn about how to knit their HoHashi clutch (featured above) while hearing about life in ISrael and knitting in Israel and munching on Israeli snacks. To learn more about this event and register in advance (and pay $65 for all related materials ), visit the Yarn Princess.

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And from the political, I’ll segue into the visual with Yanga Bags. I saw their amazing tote, shoulder and hand bags a few weeks ago while shopping in Tel Aviv. I had never heard of them before and was taken immediately by the interesting shapes they designed, layers of beautifully textured fabrics, and overall construction. The bags were both practical and sensual. Looking at their website, their pictures don’t seem to do their bags justice. But the cool thing is that you can customize your own, ideal, bag through their website (Hebrew only) or in-store on Diezengoff Street in Tel Aviv.

Everything from the shape to the straps, embellishment (satin strip or ribbon trim where applicable) and lining fabric is for your (s)election. Reasonably priced too - considering it’s exactly what you want - prices are upwards of 200 NIS - an especially lovely option for those of us who prefer fabric bags to leather and don’t want to sacrifice quality or style. And my shoulder bag in ‘08 vote goes to the top left ‘Skirt’ bag in a black Damask-like fabric with purple trim.

Here’s to hoping all our dreams come true with Obama as President in 2008!

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So, let me start this post by saying, thank you, my patient and loyal readers, for sticking through the silence and subscribing, visiting and checking in on me. Please know that I haven’t forgotten you and/ or DD and am just working out a few kinks. So while things may be a little slow around here, I am following the advice of the uber-encouraging and creative-supportive Tim Gunn, who I dream of telling me in person one day, “[Ziva], Make it work!”

And in celebration of the mental blocks and life obstacles that we all have to deal with and overcome in one way or another, this week’s all about baggage! Ha, get it? Both the mental/ emotional baggage we all carry around with us and the beautiful bags that we physically carry around with us.

To kick off the week, I’m going to start with the Magnes Sisters beautifully crafted, handbags and shoulder bags. A few reasons why: the company’s founders Israeli-born and super talented; the bags are divine looking; and (and here’s the funny part) I actually met Dina a few years back, traveling through Vietnam - which was totally, unbelievably amazing btw. Harry and I were out on a junk boat in the middle of breathtaking Halong Bay, in the middle of nowhere. And wouldn’t you know it we met other Israelis and Jews from NY. Ha. Small world indeed.

Back then, Dina was talking about the company she and her sisters were starting to get off the ground. We talked about the production and design I remember. And now, I’m thrilled to see they’re making waves. And rightfully so: the Classic Martini and Dry Martini Clutch featured above are amazing feminine, retro shapes made of colorful leather so luxurious it’s satin-y. Pricey for an everyday bag but certainly perfect for a special occasion.

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Nothing like the 2009 IKEA catalogue – and a quick trip for new home accessories – to get me feeling all inspired and creative again. And just in time to celebrate the Jewish new year! The IKEA catalogue is among the most anticipated home design/ accessory events of the year - especially for the design-conscious and budget-restricted set. And this year’s new products and catalogue did not disappoint. Remember that old joke, what’s black and white and re(a)d all over? Well this year - according to the IKEA gods - our lives are black and white and color all over, or just in our homes.

Start with new items like the black credenza (above) featuring curvy, decorative edging and details that break from IKEA’s typically boxy and minimal lines. A new soft white, fabric tufted bed looks too luxurious to even be from IKEA. And I love these contemporary white chairs (above) as an eclectic option for traditional dining rooms.

And then the technicolor fun begins: textiles bring basics to life with bold graphics in lime and blue . New shapes for endtables - for living room or bedroom - also come in colors like golden yellow and bold royal blue. There’s even a new storage bench in burnt red, tall dresser in faded blue and glassfront armoir in muted yellow to liven up your bedroom havens. Green PAX wall closets are certainly a new wall unit color for Israeli homes to dress up your walls. Or add some orange and purple modern-design inspired lounge chairs to your living room and you have yourself an complete color wheel.

Of course the downside is that apparently Israel has the most expensive IKEA in the world. Go figure. But don’t let that stop you (too much) from starting 5769 with some new (and affordable) items for your home.

Wishing you all a a wonderful (colorful), happy (stylish) and healthy (fun) year ahead!

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The fmarket site is all in Hebrew but for English-only readers, I’ve written up some directions in my Winter sale post, here. Other notables from the winter season sale event can be read here and here.

And if any readers want to share their great buys or fun at the fair this year, please write me (to rub in how much I missed) and let us know what you enjoyed most. Looking forward to hearing about it. And so upset I’m missing it.

I’ll also be back to more regularly scheduled posting soon. I know I’ve been promising but really next week I’ll be at the Jersey shore without a regular internet connection - yes, I know - which will give me plenty of time to sort out allll the great posts I’ve been stockpiling in my head. And there’s some great stuff head. So enjoy the last bit of Summer and I’ll be back to you soon. Really truly this time

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Oy, so I didn’t make it a Sunday update this week but all in good time. Because essentially, the biggest news to hit the art-and-design-o-sphere comes this week from Comic Con: Israeli comic book artist and illustrator Rutu Modan was just awarded an Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Novel in 2008 for her work, Exit Wounds.

Set in modern-day Tel Aviv, A young man, Koby Franco, receives an urgent phone call from a female soldier. Learning that his estranged father may have been a victim of a suicide bombing in Hadera, Koby reluctantly joins the soldier in searching for clues. His death would certainly explain his empty apartment and disconnected phone line. As Koby tries to unravel the mystery of his father’s death, he finds himself not only piecing together the last few months of his father’s life, but his entire identity. With thin, precise lines and luscious watercolors, Modan creates a portrait of modern Israel, a place where sudden death mingles with the slow dissolution of family ties.

I’m not so sure that today’s Israel can be so easily categorized as a place where family ties are not strong. In fact, I believe quite the opposite is true. And you’ll find Israel’s biggest ‘celebrities’ eating Friday night dinner with their families before going out to the ‘hottest’ clubs. (I put that all in quotes because it’s all so (ir)relevant, celebrity, fame, stardom, etc…) But don’t let that detract from interest in or attention for the work. For sure, it’s a prestigious award that was bestowed on one of Israel’s decorated and renowned illustrators. So if anyone gets their hands on a copy and has a chance to read it, let us know what you think of the theme.

And in the meantime, we can all agree that the images, as they relate to the topics of terror and death, are indeed breathtaking. There’s something of an older aesthetic or vintage look in the work, as if it draws upon the historical element of Tel Aviv despite its newness of subject and view. Whether it’s by the coloring of the page, the people captured in the street scenes, or the simplicity of the fonts used as conversations. Check out a 5 page excerpt from the novel here.

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