Style Coach Elana Shap and photographer Natalie Muallem find out how some stylish pedestrians in Tel Aviv feel about having the camera turned on them.
By ELANA SHAPAnais: Biker girl(photo credit: NATALIE MUALLEM)
On our quest to do this column we approach strangers on the streets who catch our eye for their sense of individual style. We are very rarely turned down. Most people respond that they are flattered we singled them out and are very happy and relaxed to pose for Natalie, the photographer. We decided to find out how our subjects feel about being photographed.Anais: Biker girl Part of the selfie generation, this high-school student admits she loves putting photos of herself on Instagram like all her friends do. She is a natural in front of the camera and has no problem doing different poses.You love fashion, right?Yes, how could I not? I have a French mother, although I was born here.Today, you are a biker girl, with a black leather jacket, but do you also like to look feminine?See, I do have red nail polish and I often wear satin. I don’t have one look.I like the pop of color with your espadrilles.Yes, it lightens the look. I got them at C&A in Paris.
Do you like the way your generation dresses? Yes, we have a lot of confidence. We also like to play around; I ripped these jeans at the knees myself. Fashion should be fun.Vered: Sophisticated ethnic Jewelry designer, Vered (of the Vered Laor brand) asks if she can re-apply her lipstick before we photograph her. She says she usually feels very uncomfortable when being photographed and doesn’t like the whole selfie idea. “It’s a narcissistic generation. It’s all about the way we look and there is no intimacy anymore.” Still, she agrees to be photographed once we start to speak about her bold pieces of jewelry.Your multiple strands of necklace and bracelets, as well as all these semiprecious stones remind me of a real treasure trove. How do you define your pieces?I design for powerful women. It’s important for me that every piece will represent a vibrant, individual personality.Who is your inspiration?My role model was Paloma Picasso and the statement rings she designed for Tiffany in the 1980s. I’m passionate about art and architecture, design and beautiful things, so I take my inspiration from many sources.Did you study jewelry design?No, I studied advertising and communication at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, but I always loved jewelry.Which Israeli designer do you like?This kimono-style top I’m wearing is by Kedem Sasson, who is one of my favorites. We collaborated in a fashion show abroad.Do you wear colors or do you keep it low key? I like to wear monochromatic clothes and then infuse the color with the jewelry I wear. I work with many stones such as topaz, amethyst, crystal quartz and turquoise.Yehudit: Light and bright style We notice Yehudit because of the pink tuft of hair and that she is well-accessorized with a floral scarf and trendy sunglasses. Although her friend has just arrived to meet her for coffee, we ask her for a few moments of her time. She says she likes to be photographed “as long as I’m not naked.”Your whole look tells us that you love to be fun and bright, is that so?Yes, I’m an artist who does mostly abstract work, and I love color. I also live in Eilat, which is a much lighter atmosphere than Tel Aviv. I’m up here to see my friend, kids and grandkids.Do you change the tuft of color in your hair or is it always pink?I always have it and it’s always pink. I’m against boredom.Tal: Urban chicWe have to really coax Tal, the owner of the new boutique Mote, on Yirmiyahu Street, to let us photograph her. “I only recently uploaded my first selfie to Facebook, can you believe?” she says, “I don’t like to be at the center. I guess I’m shy.”Can you make a connection about not liking to be the focus and the Scandinavian design that you stock in your store?Yes, Scandinavian clothes are not in your face. They are understated and make you feel well dressed, not overdressed, which is particularly suited to our casual lifestyle here.Are Ikea and H&M good for the reputation of Scandinavian fashion design or not?These companies led the world in mass design. Now slowly and quietly people are beginning to discover the higher-end designers from Denmark and Sweden, and value the quality of the textiles and the clean lines.Give us a Scandinavian style tip.It’s about wearing something quite simple and classic then pairing with sneakers. Very cool!The fabrics are also very special, like the print on the dress you are wearing.Yes, the Danish fashion house Stine Goya collaborates with another artist each year. This year it was Erik A. Frandsen, who does strong floral images.Elana Shap (www.stylecoaching.co.il) is a style coach who is passionate about helping people discover their personal style, colors and body confidence.Natalie Muallem (www.nataliemuallem.com) is a photographer who specializes in commercial and family portraits.