FASHION ■ COVER STORY

Continued .fr-om page 19

Israeli designer Roni Rabl
creates "clothes I like," she
says. "They're styles that I
want to wear."

Along her way up, Rabl, 61, realized
that American women were faced with
a challenge: Chic clothing was most
often made to fit the super-slender
models walking New York's runways —
not "real-sized" American women, who
average from sizes 10 to 16. So she cre-
ated the Roni Rabl collection, a line of
luxurious knit pieces designed specifi-
cally for "real women." From flirty pon-
chos, contemporary tunics and cro-
cheted sweaters to zip cardigans,
tweedy tanks and flare skirts, the versa-
tile pieces are classic, affordably priced
basics that can be added to any existing
wardrobe, whether going for a bohemi-
an look or streamlined, for any age.
"It's so frustrating when I go into a
store and my size is XXL," Rabl
recently told the Forward. "In my
clothes, I'm a size L. Women want to
feel attractive when they wear clothes,
and the smaller the size, the better

they feel."
Judith Primak, owner of Detroit
Gallery of Contemporary Crafts in
Detroit's Fisher Building, agrees.
"Roni Rabl makes real clothes for real
people," she says. "The clothes are
wearable, well-designed, travel well,
are affordable — and make you feel
put together."
Although it's important to Rabl that
her lines be manufactured in Israel —
and that they contribute to the Israeli
economy — the knits have not found
popularity in her homeland because of
Israel's warm climate. Stateside, howev-
er, they have been welcomed in circles
as diverse as Orthodox students to sec-
ular fashionistas. Locally, look for her
lines at Detroit Gallery of
Contemporary Crafts, Clothes
Encounter in Farmington, Eleganza
Boutique in West Bloomfield and
Valentina in Southfield. [1]

Photographed on location at Tam O'Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield. Special
thanks to hair stylist Molly Sinanis of Ron Daniel Salon in Farmington Hills and makeup
artist Dwayne Latiolais of Todd's Room in Birmingham.

For information about Roni Rabl's
clothing lines, call (212) 563-4440
or log on to www.ronirabl.com .

0

This skirt's crocheted hem
is reminiscent of a vintage
handkerchief.

In the

Debbie's Pop Art shawl ($119) in ivory
and black with matching skirt ($123)
adds some kick to a cozy fall outfit.

Details

An asymmetrical hemline adds chic
interest to a streamlined look.

A length of sheer knit
around the ankles is
modest yet sexy.

20 •

S l' E NI E It. 2005 •

JNPLATINUM

