PARIS — The Muuse 2014 spring-summer line is now on sale, featuring for the first time a collection by a young Israeli designer, Sasha Nassar. Nassar, 27, who has been working with the Danish online boutique for several months, turned her end-of-the-school-year collection into accessible prêt-à-porter (ready to wear) designed items — a specialty of the Danish fashion design studio, which cultivates young talent and guides them toward commercial success.
The Israeli fashion scene considers Nassar's success yet another milestone in a distinct trend among young Israeli designers. These days, many young Israeli designers aspire more than ever to "make it" in Europe and the United States; breaking onto the Israeli scene is no longer enough. Most Israeli designers take the long route, by establishing their label in Israel first and then trying to sell their designs overseas. There are some designers, however, who take the shortcut, storming Paris, New York or London fresh out of design school. Jaffa-born Nassar and Dana Muskat from Tel Aviv are examples of such fearless designers. Both these young designers embarked directly on a European-Parisian journey.
Nassar does not hide her hopes of becoming the next international name for Israeli fashion. If asked, she will hesitate at first, emphasizing that she is still learning, but she is planning to make a name for herself in Europe, and will only start the "Sasha Nassar label" after returning to Jaffa.
Nassar's role model for an international break is Alon Livne, 29, who became a New York celebrity after Beyonce chose a dress of his for her concert tour. In an interview with Al-Monitor, Leora Hadar, the Israeli trade attache in Paris, offers other names as well: shoe designer Kobi Levi, who has become a celebrity with his fun and imaginative footwear being sold all over the fashion capitals (easily distinguishable when window shopping on Rue de Bac in Paris or Manhattan's Fifth Avenue), and Golan Frydman, who set up his design workshop in London five years ago and whose successful brand Fyodor-Golan sells dresses to Lady Gaga.
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