Building a bridge with fashion, from Australia to Israel

Mia Rose works with designers that she feels would work well in the Australian market.

By VICTORIA KEZRA
Mia Rose (photo credit: Courtesy)
Mia Rose
(photo credit: Courtesy)
In a small but sleekly decorated apartment above Jaffa Road, women gather, surrounded by racks of designer clothes and snacks. These cosmopolitan ladies are here to support the works of Israeli designers without having to go to expensive boutiques.
Responsible for the event is Mia Rose, who introduces herself to the group by saying, “I want to take something like fashion and elevate it to a spiritual level.”
This showing is part of Rose’s larger organization, The Style Collective. She originally worked in many intersections of business and fashion, including as a fashion buyer for an online retailer as well as for media and PR in her native Australia. After moving to Israel, Rose decided to try to bring more international attention to talented Israeli designers.
“In Israel the industry is a lot more personal, and I really love that. I believe I was brought to Israel and that my personal mission and work is to help our country, our designers and to foster the relationship between the two countries, one where I grew up and the other where I now make my home,” says Rose.
The special Style Collective event in Jerusalem was an opportunity for women in the city to see high fashion right in their own neighborhood, but the real goal was to spread Israeli’s unique fashion to new markets.
“I work with designers that I feel would work well in the Australian market and that would appeal to overseas clientele visiting Israel, where they can view and buy from the collections at the Showroom in Jerusalem.”
Rose’s work involves promoting such designers as Naftul, Sabina Musayev, Justine Hats, jewelry designer Liza Ariuan, Lady Bird bags and Shira Paz’s hand-dyed wool scarves. She hopes that with her help, these Israeli designers can find an audience and thrive in a new market.
“My mission is to promote our country and its people, and encourage trade between Israel and Australia. I am proud to be Australian and Israeli; with the opportunities that both countries have provided me, I feel like it’s my turn to give back,” says Rose. •