Is the name of a beautiful exhibition at the Holon design museum, a tribute to the first lady of the Israeli swimwear Fashion, Lady Lea Gotllieb ( She was called "Lady Lea" by all). Known as the founder of an International swimwear company - GOTTEX.
I must say it took me a while to get to this exhibition simply because over the years since I was a little girl I was very much familiar with Gottex swimwear and I didn't think an exhibition can reveal something new to me. But wow was I wrong. Gladly pushed into it very easily, after all I'm always glad to go to see fashion exhibitions of course, I was really blown away by it.
Seeing and realizing the process of her work, how she was inspired by art places and events and translating them with her own finger print to create a hole new thinking about swimwear and beach fashion.
Her swimwear was an expression of how she thought swimwear should be. besides them being a true pieces of an incredible art, they presented how should Glamour be used in swimwear and beach wear.
First years - Local success
Lea Gotllieb Born In Hungaria in 1918 came to Israel in 1949 with her husband Armin Gotllieb. First they tried their luck designing rain cotes but after realizing that the Israeli weather is not the perfect place for rain cotes, they decided to design swimwear. It was much more suitable for the local weather.
In 1956 first swimwear collection, designed in their own home, was a huge success. It forced them to move and open a bigger workshop to manufacture bigger quantities.
It was Actually the bases of the Foundation of Gottex.
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Gottex goes global
Gottex swimwear made its impact across the wide world.
In 1972 Lea Gotllieb won her first prize at the international fashion festival in Cannes and became a key designer of swimwear in the world.
Many prizes came along and her swimwear were shot for the biggest magazines by the best photographers and worn by the most popular models in the world.
Lady Lea's Muse -Israeli Model Tami Ben Ami
Gorges Israeli Model Inspired Lady lea with her exotic look long lags and her skin tone that was Perfect for the colours Lady Lea loved so much.
The end
Lea Gotllieb designed under the Gottex company till 1997 when it was bought by Lev Leviev - owner of Africa - Israel group.
She left Gottex but she didn't leave the only world she knew. At 2005 she founded her own label named LEA and designed under it few more years.
"Lady Lea" died at her home in Tel Aviv in 2012 at the age of 94. leaving a huge impact and a glorious legacy in the Israeli Fashion History.
Exhibition at the Holon design museum
Photos from the exhibition shot by my iPhone, apologies for the quality in advance.
Cheers :)
