Street style: By design

Style coach Elana Shap and photographer Natalie Muallem search for style in Jaffa’s Noga Quarter.

By ELANA SHAP
Style coach Elana Shap and photographer Natalie Muallem search for style in Jaffa’s Noga Quarter (photo credit: NATALIE MUALLEM)
Style coach Elana Shap and photographer Natalie Muallem search for style in Jaffa’s Noga Quarter
(photo credit: NATALIE MUALLEM)
The Noga district on the edge of Jaffa is best known for being the home of the renowned Gesher Theater company, so we assumed our street-style hunt would focus on bohemian actor types taking a break from rehearsals.
Surprisingly, we discovered small streets with beautifully renovated Ottoman-era buildings housing a vibrant community of fashion designers, artists and architects. It’s not unusual to go into a store and see a fully equipped kitchen in the back, as many opt to both work and live here.
Contributing to this intimate quality is not the fresh-out-of-art-school crowd, but talented designers with an evolved aesthetic. Even the local flower shop Shoshanim, which hosts workshops and sells upmarket gardening equipment, would not be out of place in New York’s trendy Chelsea neighborhood.
So what did we discover style-wise? Read on.
Tal – Nomad style
 After three-and-a-half years of traveling and living abroad, Tal arrived back in Tel Aviv three weeks ago. He’s an artist, electronic musician and photographer.
Tell us the story behind the assortment of clothing you are wearing today.
My turquoise socks are from Japan, which for me is the best place in the world aesthetically. It’s so authentic, and the quality is very high. My shoes are limited-edition Nikes and are old and a bit worn, but I treasure them. The shirt is from J.Crew in New York, where I have been living. My hat has the New York subway map on it; my hair looks weird today so that’s why I’m wearing a hat.
What about your necklace – does it have religious significance?
It’s from India, where I also traveled for a year. It’s made of a seed that is sacred, and I wear it as a necklace or around my wrist sometimes.
Do you put a lot of effort into what you wear every day?
No, every item I have means something to me and as they are from different parts of the world, they reflect my travels.
Naomi – Recycled style
Naomi is the Dutch-born fashion designer behind the label Naomi Maaravi. Eco-fashion, art and storytelling is how she terms what she does; we are intrigued.
She shows us the labels on her clothing, which indicate if they are a redesign, recycled or new; people come to her with their old garments and she turns them into new items.
One woman brought in a few pieces her late mother had knitted, which Naomi turned into a coat. Two sisters brought in their father’s Egged work shirts, which were also used to make new items.
Tell us about the vest you are wearing.
It used to be a green leather jacket, but it shrunk after I dyed it – so I turned it into a vest. Leather and other natural fabrics are the hardest to recycle, as they are not as hardy as synthetic fabrics.
Threads hanging from a fabric can look grungy, but your scarf really works. What is the story behind it?
Actually, its parachute fabric. Look, I’ve draped a big part of it over this chair.
Who inspired you?
I grew up with a father who had an area in our house for recycling objects; he taught me to look at an object and question it. So, just think: Is a bag really a bag or a book just a book? I see every object as having a soul.
Your clothing is mostly black and white, but you do seem to give in to color sometimes – like your bright blue sport shoes.
Yes, I love them; I found them in Amsterdam a few years ago. No particular label.
Jacob – Clean-cut style
We found Jacob buying ground coffee for his office. A digital designer from Poznan, Poland, he came to Tel Aviv to work for a local start-up. We couldn’t help noticing his bicycle, with its beautiful Brooks leather seat and handlebars, as well as his professional-looking gloves (1920s racecar driver-style).
What do you think of style in Tel Aviv?
It’s a messy city but the culture embraces the mess, so I admire that. It’s a self-confident attitude; I also like the mix of cultures.
How do you define your style?
I think basically, sporty classic.
Your red trainers add a sense of fun, though.
Yes, it’s great I can wear these to work. Europe is very different.
What brand are your glasses?
Police, the Italian company.
What are you listening to as you zip around Tel Aviv on your bike?
Mainly podcasts on technology and design-oriented subjects. Sorry, got to get back to work now.
Julia – Urban romantic style
We met Julia, the designer of the Jul label, in the Apak Street studio she shares with a jewelery designer and her husband, Amit – who makes laser-engraved lamps in acrylic. She studied for three years in Milan at the Istituto Europeo di Design, and sells her creations both at the studio and online. The line that sells best abroad is quite different from the retro-inspired items we see here.
Julia goes to the back of the studio and brings out a frothy collection of tulle dresses with sparkly bodices.
What inspires you when you design?
I focus a lot on the shape of a woman’s body, and like to create clothes that are feminine but with an edge.
That shows in what you are wearing: a lacy dress paired with Dr. Martens boots. Tell us about the boots.
My father, who is a doctor and has nothing to do with fashion whatsoever, bought them for me in London about 12 years ago; I was so surprised that he would have chosen something like this. I love them.
What do you think of the Noga district? We used to live here but recently moved to the flea market. It’s a great area with many talented people living and working there.
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.