Israeli designer Roni Rabl knows there's nothing average
about the "average" woman.

WRITTEN AND STYLED BY DANA KUSHKIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRETT MOUNTAIN

R

oni Rabl has found her niche. For more than 20
years, the Israeli designer's flair for stylish handmade
prints, novelty pieces and fine French and Italian
yarns adorned with appliques and leather trim have made hers a
household name across Europe.
So when her daughter Yael Levy arrived at New York City's
Fashion. Institute of Technology in 1992 armed with samples of
her mother's knits and sweaters, it didn't take long for the collec-

tions to make their way into high-end boutiques and department
stores, including Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman. Mother
and daughter opened a showroom in New York City's garment
district; today, they sell to more than 500 specialty shops, cata-
logs and department stores across the country. Rabl and her
daughter recently opened their first boutique, called Rootchi, on
Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Continued on page 20

Local ladies model Roni Rabl's designs, perfect for the High Holiday season: Nancy Kushkin of West Bloomfield is decked out in a tweed boucle cardigan ($150). Bobbie

Warsh of Bloomfield Hills heats up a red crocheted poncho ($138) paired with black knit pants ($85). West Bloomfield's Amy Goldman shoulders an olive-hued ribbed cowl

tunic (S119) with coordinating pants ($99). Debbie Miller of West Bloomfield is ready for her closeup, pairing a dramatic cape ($174) with a side-flare skirt (S125).

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