Malibu was the setting for a sold-out show as I ❤️ Jewish Girls brought its fashion movement to Los Angeles Fashion Week.
Combining fashion with Jewish identity and pride, the event put the spotlight on designers whose work reflects the diversity and creativity of today’s fashion landscape.
Founded by Alejandro Glatt, I ❤️ Jewish Girls continues to build a platform for Jewish fashion and creative expression. I had the pleasure of presenting the show through The House of Faith & Fashion, a pioneering platform at the intersection of faith, fashion, and cultural identity.
Behind the scenes, Sharon Esther served as facilitator and fashion director, overseeing the backstage fashion operation. Her styling talents were evident in the way the looks came together, bringing cohesion and personality to the runway presentation. The work behind the scenes is an essential part of any successful show, and her contribution helped bring the designers’ visions to life.
Tobi Rubinstein
Photos: @scottgoldbergphoto2
Among the evening’s standout talents were Mayar Barkat and Inbal Heffer, both graduates of Shenkar’s Fashion Design Department in Israel. Their appearance continued a long-standing tradition: Shenkar has consistently produced major fashion talent, with its graduates making an impact in Israel and internationally. Although Barkat and Heffer have different aesthetics, each brought a distinctive perspective to the runway.
Mayar Barkat demonstrated a confident approach to proportion and texture. Her oversized patchwork pieces and richly colored hand-woven coat combined contemporary silhouettes with the character of traditional craftsmanship. The interplay between bold shapes and intricate materials gave her designs a strong visual identity.
Inbal Heffer offered a more organic sensibility. Born and raised in the Galilee, she draws inspiration from nature and her surroundings, exploring the relationship between materials, form, and identity. Raffia, rattan, natural dyes, and leather patchwork contribute to designs that are tactile and thoughtfully constructed. Her approach allows the materials themselves to tell much of the story.
What makes these two designers particularly interesting is their individuality. Both trained at the same respected fashion institution, yet each has developed a distinct design language. Barkat explores scale and texture with a bold contemporary attitude, while Heffer finds expression in natural materials and the subtle interplay of craft and form.
Their appearance highlights Shenkar’s enduring influence on fashion, providing designers with the technical foundation and creative freedom to develop original voices. Barkat and Heffer represent that legacy while bringing fresh perspectives to an international runway.
For me, this is what makes fashion exciting: discovering new talent, celebrating individuality, and watching designers bring their own stories to the world. Seeing Mayar Barkat and Inbal Heffer on the Malibu runway was a reminder of the extraordinary creativity coming out of Israel.
As presenter of the show and founder of The House of Faith & Fashion, I am proud to be part of I ❤️ Jewish Girls, founded by Alejandro Glatt. Together, we are helping bring Jewish fashion and creativity to a wider audience. I have always believed in dreaming big, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities where others may not see them. And if there is one thing fashion has taught me, it is that the runway is just the beginning.
