Over the course of centuries- millenniums- fashion has been a consistent common ground for us all. There's a reason there are entire museum exhibits dedicated to ages upon ages of fashion and style. The clothes we wear represent the people we are. Enter now Israeli-American designer Kobi Halperin, a man with one goal in mind for his first runway show under his own label for New York Fashion Week: to invoke hope.
via The Citizen's Poste
Born and raised in Israel, Halperin has dedicated a fair amount of his work in the fashion industry to celebrating tradition, timelessness, and authenticity. And inspired by both his Jewish background and Eastern European roots, his eponymous ready-to-wear label has taken the world by storm- or rather, has been a refuge.
Kobi Halperin FW24
On an unusually springlike February evening in New York City, right on the edge of SoHo and Hudson Square, the Kobi Halperin team prepared to show their FW24 Collection: Illumination of Hope. The runway was bright and full of an airy sort of life, each guest's seat fixed with a signature Flower of Hope. At the center of the runway, live music completed the atmosphere, the stage fixed with Shabbat candles to pay tribute to Halperin's heritage and memories of his childhood.
via The Citizen's Poste
The collection itself was a stunning display of modest yet elegant designs, primarily in hues of black, white, silver, and gold. Models walked to traditional prayers sung on Shabbat, such as “Eshet Chayil” and “Lecha Dodi," dripping in fine embellishments. The attention to detail was evident in intricate embroidery and structured silhouettes, complimented by accessory themes such as gloves and Biber-reminiscent hats.
Halperin concluded his show with “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem, which translates to “The Hope,” inspiring unapologetic pride in identity for not only the Jewish community, but the entire fashion industry. "When we come together, united in purpose and spirit, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future for all," the brand shared on their Instagram.
There was an undeniable mixture of emotions in the room as the final notes faded: pride, vulnerability, and strength. There was no denying that Halperin's FW24 collection served more than its goal of bringing people together through fashion, but doing so in a way that exposed the deeper, more personal aspects of design that we are so often robbed of in today's landscape.
By Mackenzie Ostrowski
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