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for bad figures," says Miriam
Ruzow, president of Gottex
USA. "Most people have bad fig-
ures."
Gottex has also designed suits
for women with special needs.
Women who have undergone
mastectomies have the hardest
time finding a bathing suit that
comfortably compensates for
their surgery. Gottex has engi-
neered stylish suits with built-
in bras and openings that hold
prostheses securely in place.
Other suits feature high-cut
armholes that conceal scars and
special-order versions are avail-
able for women with other spe-
cial needs. With a piece of
designed cloth, a personal trau-
ma can melt away in the sum-
mer sun, restoring a woman's
self-image despite the limitations
of biology and science. Fashion
has come to the rescue.
The Gottex optimism has
spilled over into the political are-
na as well. For many years Got-
tex has been selling its products
in several Arab countries, but
without the "Made in Israel" la-
bel. King Hussein's former wife
once called a London store to or-
der a specific Gottex suit. When
she found that they were out, she
managed to get it through diplo-
matic back-channels straight
from Tel Aviv. This year, Got-

tex is celebrating the Middle
East peace process as part of its
Cruise/Holiday line, which in-
cludes arabesque designs in its
Casablanca, Marrakech and
Jewel of the Nile suits.
"I have a great deal of respect
for Israelis," says Jule Campbell,
senior editor for fashion at Sports
Illustrated. 'The wars, the ter-
rorism. And yet they have hope."
Campbell says that Israel is on
her "top 10" list of places she
would like to shoot a future
swimsuit issue, but is waiting for
the political situation to calm
down a little more. "I would do
it near Eilat. I hear the scuba
diving is extraordinary. I would
also put girls in bathing suits in
the middle of an irrigation field
in the desert and also amid olive
trees."
While Gottex and Gideon
Oberson have dominated the
American market, other Israeli
companies are now hoping to
make a splash. Pilpel, which is
the third most popular
swimwear in Europe and has
150 styles, sells in Neiman Mar-
cus and Macy's. Diva, which fea-
tures 165 styles, was started by
Ciselle Hirschthal in 1939 and
sold many suits to Arab coun-
tries before Israel's War of Inde-
Scubi,
pendence in 1948.
founded only 11 years ago by Zvi-

Designs of the Future
At Shenkar

YOSEF ABRAMOWITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Leah Gottlieb of Gottex was honored by Israel's rich and fa-
mous and powerful last month at the 25th anniversary of
Shenkar, the fashion and textile technology college in Israel.
Israeli models in swimsuits rubbed shoulders with the likes
of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and other Israeli politi-
cal and fashion leaders. Shenkar, which has 1,500 students,
is preparing the next generation of Israeli pioneers in
swimwear and other clothing.
Shenkar's fashion design graduates represent the avante-
garde of the Israeli fashion industry and are also found in
fashion centers around the world. Gideon Oberson, who teach-
es at the college and also judges student competitions, re-
cruits from Shenkar, as does Gottex. Shenkar president
Amotz Weinberg believes that because of the college, Israel
is poised to increase its share of the fashion market world-
wide. The "Made In Israel" label is becoming more appeal-
ing and has a bright future.

OD For more information, contact the American Commit-
tee for Shenkar College, 855 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10001, 212-947-1597.

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