One-style-fits-all: 6 Israeli designers and their gender fluid clothing brands

After graduating from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, Northern Israeli-born designer, Hed Mayner, set out on a journey to Paris to discover new aspects of fashion and craft. While at the Parisian Institut Français de la Mode, he enriched his aesthetics and came to understand the essence of body language in his art. The centrality of body language inspired his eponymous label, which operates in Israel and has expanded to 30 plus boutiques abroad, including Open Ceremony in New York, Super A Market in Tokyo and Ansh46 in Rotterdam. His collections play with tension between fluid and structured pieces, influenced by traditional Jewish orthodox tailoring and military attire. His unique interpretations of classic menswear paired with his fusion of tradition and modernity have gained him the title of one of Tel Aviv’s most promising men’s designers. The loose-fitting garments are part of a covetable collection of knitwear, shirts, coats, jackets and trousers that could be a fashion-forward interpretation for both men and women braving a multi-dimensional style landscape.

The value of the merchandise in boutique INN7 goes well beyond its monetary worth as can be seen in their super hip and cool clothing and their bold decisions like a strong preference for the color black. Rick Owens, Damir Doma and Black denim are just some of the beautiful and right brands you'll find there. One trip to INN7 and you'll never want to leave.

A graduate of the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Shai Shalom’s apparel is marked by meticulous tailoring and a keen eye for combining colors and materials. His bright summer collection is an ode to sunny days, with vibrant solids finding their only rival in a clean, minimalist aesthetic that evokes a candy shop-colored vision of nautical prep. Expect a range of fine knitwear, sophisticated suits, slim-cut, cropped trousers and modern boat jackets. A recent collection, dubbed ‘Gender Blender’, carves a connecting seam between male and female wardrobes, applying the same fabrics and elite tailoring, yet stripping them of their recognizable gender-oriented elements, then restructuring them with innovative materials, including wool sleeves on couture blazers and geometric plisse cuts on classic skirts.

Israeli fashion designer Maoz Dahan takes typical gender-specific styles and flips them on their head with his androgynous brand Nouveau Riche Dog. Thigh-grazing button up shirts (that would normally act as a dress for women) are worn by men under crisp, tailored suits while slouchy, drop-waisted trousers are the norm for the ladies. Dahan also customizes men’s suits, made-to-order.

Shoe designer Oded Arama studied fashion design at Shenkar but began his career as a shoe designer while working with a shoemaker in Tel Aviv, creating shoes for his womenswear collection. Amazed by the creative process,Arama knew that it was just the beginning of something much greater. Months later, he interned at the contemporary British label Preen in London and has since learned the craft of shoemaking with the best of them at Cordwainers’ College at the London College of Fashion (where legends such as Nicholas Kirkwood and Jimmy Choo made their first steps in the world of footwear). Today his designs are a unisex fusion of supple leather and handmade, European craftsmanship and a signature explosion of otherworldly colors.

Helmed by Tamar Levit and Yaen Levi, Muslin Bros androgynous wares often sport no sizes. Expect raw, loose cuts and a no fear approach to color. The brand was recently chosen for the CFEs YOTA pioneer program in London and emerging designer grant by PAIS foundation in Israel. Keep an eye out, this local label is destined for big things.