Draft:Galit Levi

Galit Levi (Hebrew: גלית לוי‎; born December 26, 1971) is an Israeli fashion designer noted for her work in evening, bridal, and haute couture dresses. Her designs have been recognized in international competitions, receiving accolades for evening gown design in 1999 and 2019. Levi has also been the recipient of industry awards, including being named 'Designer of the Year' by Maariv in 1999 and receiving the 'Fashion Designer' recognition by Yedioth Ahronoth annually from 2006 to 2009.

Galit Levi is recognized for her contributions to haute couture evening and bridal fashion, noted for incorporating fashion motifs, sheer fabrics, and corsets into wedding dress designs. She has developed a corset aimed at body shaping and has pioneered a sewing technique that has been adopted in some wedding and evening dress designs. In 2008, Levi was named on Forbes' list of '40 under 40,' where she was placed 27th and ranked 1st in the fashion category.

Levi launched her namesake "Galit Levi" brand in 1995, when she was 22 years old. She first gained notable exposure in 1998 when singer Dana International won first place in the Eurovision Song Contest while wearing a dress designed by Levi, after she decided at the last minute not to wear the dress prepared for her by fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

Since the late 1990s, Levi's designs have been frequently featured as clothing for participants in television programs, beauty pageants, and various international competitions.

Early life
Galit Levi was born as Galit Greenstein, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Her grandmothers were both Holocaust survivors. Her great-grandmother, Masha Schuster, also a Holocaust survivor, owned a factory in Poland with her husband that produced uniforms during World War II.

As a child, she grew up in the Tzahala neighborhood of north Tel Aviv. From the age of 7, she began sewing clothes for her Barbie dolls from scraps of fabric she found at her parents' house and held fashion shows for her grandmother, Golda, during her weekly visits. At the age of nine, she started drawing "sketches" of clothes that she gave to clothing store owners because she did not like the selection offered there.

Levi aspired to be a gymnast like Nadia Comăneci in her childhood and engaged in gymnastics. Her participation in the sport influenced her clothing needs, as she found it challenging to find attire that suited her frame and style preferences. At 14, she discovered a discarded sewing machine at her home and began creating her own garments without formal training. She crafted designs directly on fabric and constructed the pieces using both the sewing machine and hand stitching. Encouraged by her family’s positive feedback, she started sewing for family friends, receiving payment for her work.

Levi was also interested in business from a young age. As child, she engaged in small business activities, such as selling lemonade and her paintings on the street, and organized her friends to assist her in these ventures. Despite the absence of direct influences from the fashion or sewing industries within her immediate family, she observed her grandmothers mending clothes by hand.

Levi's parents, viewing fashion as a career without prospects, encouraged her to pursue a medical profession instead. Consequently, she focused on biology and science during her high school years in Tel Aviv. Despite this, Levi maintained her passion for fashion by sewing clothes for herself and her friends.

At the age of 18, she joined the army and there decided that fashion was her future. After completing her military service in the Israel Defense Forces, Levi began studying fashion design at the Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Ramat Gan. During her studies, she participated in the Young Designer Competition in Paris. Levi's participation in the competition marked a significant exposure to the global fashion and haute couture scene. Captivated by Paris, she chose to extend her stay, furthering her education through additional courses and internships focused on haute couture and advanced sewing techniques.

Early career
At 21, Levi returned to Israel from Paris and set up an informal studio on her parents' house's roof to design evening and bridal dresses. Unable to find a wedding dress aligning with her tastes, she crafted her own, incorporating classic lace, pink studs, and gold wire. The distinctiveness of her design attracted attention, leading to an increase in requests for custom-made dresses. Encouraged by this response, Levi opened her first official business at 22.

The Galit Levi House of Design was founded in Tel Aviv in 1994 and initially focused on bespoke bridal gowns, but also created high-fashion evening wear and a range of fashion accessories. Throughout its operation, the studio has provided bridal gown designs for over 50,000 brides and their families.

As demand for Levi's designs grew, she moved to a larger studio on Dizengoff Street in 1995, which continued to expand over the years.

International breakthrough
In March 1998, Galit Levi designed the outfits for Israel Beauty pageant, including a black net dress for Leading model Galit Guttmann. In April 1998, Israel celebrated 50 years in a special fashion show, and Levi designed the outfits, including a dress made from 1000 crystals worn by local singer Michal Amdursky.

Galit gained widespread recognition after designing the dress worn by Dana International, the Israeli representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, who won first place with the song "Diva". The original dress, designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, was replaced last-minute by Levi's creation due to concerns about its suitability for the performance. The press and media called Levi's dresses "The dresses that brought the luck".

In the same year, Levi also designed attire for participants in the Miss World pageant This included the gown for Linor Abargil, who won the pageant. Dubbed 'The Peace Dress,' it displayed images of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The dress attracted international media attention.

In the same year, Levi created the evening gown for Miss Israel, Jenny Chervony, for the Miss World competition. Her design won first place in 'The Most Beautiful Evening Gown' category, marking the first occasion an Israeli designer achieved this distinction among entries from 100 countries. The hand-sewn gown featured special lace decorated with rose and leaf patterns, adorned with 45,000 small Swarovski diamonds, lending it a distinctive silver hue.

In March 1999, Rana Raslan, the first Arab-Israeli winner of Miss Israel, represented Israel in Miss Universe 1999, while wearing Levi's "Star of David" dress designed by Levi. The dress received significant criticism in the Arab world.

In 1999, Nofit Shevach, Israel's representative at the Miss International pageant in Japan, wore a dress by Galit Levi designed with an olive branch motif, symbolizing peace and the state of Israel. In the same year, to mark the transition into the new century, Levi created a 'Millennium Dress,' noted for its unique design. Additionally, she introduced the 'WWW Dress,' inspired by the burgeoning Internet age, which was worn by Dana International.

In 2001, amid the Second Intifada, Galit Levi designed a dress for Ilanit Levy, Miss Israel, for her participation in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. The design incorporated a bulletproof vest adorned with diamonds, aiming to make a statement on the ongoing conflict. This choice garnered significant media coverage, including by CNN, and contributed to Levi's international recognition.

In 2002, Levi designed a white dress carrying the map of Israel, encrusted with glittering stones. Israeli beauty queen Yamit Har Noy wore the dress for the Miss Universe Pageant.

From 2002 onwards, Galit Levi's designs gained international exposure, being featured at prestigious events such as the Oscars, various beauty pageants, and the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2004, the Galit Levi brand extended its reach internationally, showcasing in fashion shows beyond Israel. Levi's collections were introduced to boutiques and high-end department stores across Europe and North America, including Harrods in the UK and Harvey Nichols. Notably, Levi expanded her market to include boutiques in Saudi Arabia, reportedly making her the only Israeli designer to export to Arab countries prior to the peace agreements of 2021. Additionally, she established a bridal showroom in New York and partnered locally to open a showroom for evening gowns in Los Angeles.

In 2006, during the New York Bridal Fashion Week (NYBFW), Galit Levi presented a luxury fashion show at the Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel. The event was attended by numerous photographers, guests, and media representatives. Notably, actress and model Moran Atias featured prominently, both opening and closing the show.

In 2008, Galit Levi participated in the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Rome, known as Alta Roma, becoming the first Israeli designer to be featured in this prestigious event. Her presence placed her alongside internationally renowned designers and brands such as Valentino, Chanel, and Lacroix. Following her show, her designs were featured in 'Collezioni', a leading fashion publication, alongside major Haute Couture houses including Dior, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana, marking her as the first Israeli designer to achieve this distinction. After Rome's success, Galit was invited to participate in many couture fashion shows in the world. The recognition at Rome's Haute Couture Fashion Week led to further invitations for Levi, including participation in the Tashkent Couture Fashion Week in 2009, an event organized by Gulnara Karimova. There, Levi was showcased among a select group of European designers, highlighting her international standing in the fashion industry.

In 2009, for an exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tel Aviv, Galit Levi designed a dress that incorporated imagery of Tel Aviv Beach alongside scenes from the old town of Tel Aviv.

2010 - present
In 2010, Galit Levi was selected to do a fashion show with Palestinian designer Jamal Taslaq for "Fashion for Peace" in Sorrento, Italy. The event received significant media coverage in Israel and across Europe. For this occasion, Levi created a dress that combined the flags of Israel and Palestine, dubbed 'The Two Flags Dress', symbolizing a message of unity and peace.

In 2011, the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan invited Levi to the capital Baku for a special show. She presented 50 Haute Couture models at the fashion show. This event reportedly initiated discussions for establishing a sales channel with Caspian Sea region countries.

In 2013, for a Vanity Fair photoshoot by Howard Schatz, American actress Brooke Shields was photographed wearing a dress designed by Galit Levi.

For the 2013 season of 'Big Brother,' Galit Levi designed a 'spider dress' worn by top model Or Daniel during her entrance to the show.

In 2014, Galit Levi created a bridal dress constructed entirely from recycled paper, which was showcased by model Yael Goldman at a paper fashion show.

In 2014, to commemorate the 90th birthday of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Galit Levi designed a dress adorned with the faces of all Israeli presidents, positioning Peres at the center. Following Peres's death in September 2016, Levi donated the dress to The Peres Centre for Peace in his memory.

In May 2019, Galit Levi was invited to showcase her designs at the Plaza Hotel in New York City for an event organized by Batsheva, a nonprofit organization focused on women's issues.

In July 2019, Galit Levi was recognized at the Miss International Competition in the USA, where a dress she designed won the title 'The most beautiful dress in the world.' The white evening gown was created for Luisa Diaz, former Miss Puerto Rico and Miss New York, who represented the State of New York at the event.

In September 2023, Galit Levi took part in New York Fashion Week (NYFW), collaborating with Israeli artist Yigal Ozeri to present a couture collection. This collection featured dresses made from fabrics printed with Ozeri's paintings.

In March 2024, in the aftermath of the events of October 7 th in Israel, Jewish influencer Lizzy Savetsky wore a Star of David corset designed by Galit Levi in 1999. This corset was notably first worn by Rana Raslan, the first Arab-Israeli winner of Miss Israel. The act of re-wearing this garment was presented as a symbol of coexistence, aiming to convey a message of unity and peace, reflecting Israel's commitment to the inclusivity of all its citizens, regardless of their religious background.

The corset
In the 1990s, Levi introduced an approach to incorporate corset structures into the design of wedding and evening dresses, shifting their role from undergarments to integral design elements of formal attire. This innovation led to the adoption of corsetry in dressmaking beyond traditional uses. Her technique, notable for its distinctive construction, has been referenced and utilized by various fashion designers internationally.

Levi's corset construction method combines various materials that are designed to shape and support the chest area. The stiff skeleton of the corset is applied with inflexible bones.

Levi's dream dress designs are made freely on mannequins, combining hand-crafted weaving and threading of gems, pearls, beads, crystals, and other ornaments.

Galit Levi Design
Galit Levi Design offers a range of products across various apparel categories, including bridal wear, haute couture, ready-to-wear, lingerie and underwear, accessories, swimwear, home fashion, and casual/resort wear. The company operates under multiple brand names such as 'Galit Levi,' 'GL,' and 'Galit Levi Beach Couture.' These brands have a presence in the Israeli market and have been recognized internationally.

The brand has and opened haute couture boutiques in New York, LA, and London.

In 2005, Levi initiated collaborations to create mass-market retail collections. A year later, in 2006, she designed a swimwear collection for a major company, branded as 'Galit Levi Beach Couture'. This collection is distributed through roughly 250 retail points of sale, both within Israel and internationally.

In 2008, Levi entered into a partnership with H&O to retail a line of ready-to-wear apparel and handbags named 'Galit Levi for H&O.' The collection was released in the fall of 2009.

In 2010, Galit Levi introduced a lingerie and sleepwear line, marketed as 'Galit Levi Underwear.' This collection, which included items specifically designed for wedding nights and honeymoons, was made available in numerous retail stores both in Israel and internationally. Additionally, a collection of shapewear was launched under the same brand.

In 2012, the Galit Levi brand expanded to include a line of home design products named 'Galit Levi Home Fashion,' which featured bedsheets and towels. This initial collection was positioned in the high-end market segment and included products that bore Levi's signature. Retail stores carried this line. Subsequently, in 2014, a second line within the home design category was introduced, titled 'GL – Home Fashion.

The collections designed by Galit Levi are available at various retail outlets and department stores both within Israel and internationally. Notable locations include Harvey Nichols and Harrods, as well as specialized bridal shops like Designer Loft Bridal, among others.

Public image
Galit Levi has transitioned from a design-focused role to a more public persona, engaging in various promotional efforts for fashion brands. She has been featured in numerous advertising campaigns. In 2008, Levi entered into an agreement with H&O to be featured in their fall advertising and to contribute to the design of the collection. The partnership drew public commentary regarding the alignment of Levi's image with the traditionally non-luxury positioning of H&O. Despite the differing perceptions, the campaigns were reportedly successful.

Between 2010 and 2017, Levi was featured in promotional campaigns for several fashion and lifestyle brands in Israel. Her presence extended to television, where she made guest appearances in series, was cast as herself in certain shows and films, and took part in an Israeli reality show. Levi's expertise in fashion and lifestyle topics led to frequent invitations to appear on television programs as an interviewee, as well as to serve as a judge in various competitions and beauty pageants. She has been recognized in public opinion surveys, once ranking just behind Sarah Jessica Parker as a preferred shopping companion. Additionally, Levi was named among the '50 most beautiful women in Israel' on a compiled list.

In the media
Galit Levi's media presence dates back to the inception of her career in 1995. Initially, her visibility was concentrated on television appearances and in print media, prior to the prevalence of the Internet and social media. Levi's work, which included custom designs for prominent Israeli TV and talk shows, garnered media interest. While she began her career with a focus on design, her role eventually expanded to include public appearances as a judge in beauty pageants, as an interview subject on television programs and in magazines, and as a commentator on various topics.

She made her first television appearance in 1995 during 'The Lucky Wheel Girl Selection Contest,' a competition where six contestants, not publicly identified, showcased colorful dresses designed by her. Two years later, in 1997, she was featured on 'Dan Shilon,' a leading and pioneering talk show in Israel, where she presented a fashion show and participated in an interview.

From 1998 to 2002, Galit Levi became known for designing outfits for Israel's beauty pageants. She was responsible for creating numerous outfits for presenters, contestants, and performers involved in these events, typically starting the design process six months prior to each pageant. In addition to her role as a designer, Levi also served on the judging panel and occasionally had the privilege of crowning the winner. Furthermore, she designed dresses for the winners of the Israeli pageants to wear at the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions.

In 2001-2002, Levi wrote a personal column for the fashion magazine "People".

Television
Since 1995, Galit Levi has garnered attention within pop culture, featuring prominently on various television shows and in media coverage. Her designs have been selected by a wide range of public figures, including beauty queens, actresses, singers, TV hosts, and professionals, signifying her reputation as a prominent designer in Israel. Levi's portfolio includes designing outfits and costumes for TV productions, ceremonies, red carpet events, competitions, major beauty pageants, theatrical plays, musicals, and films, both in Israel and internationally.

In 2004, Levi was responsible for designing the attire for the finalists of the first season of 'The Apprentice,' a reality show created by Donald Trump.

In an episode of the television series 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey,' aired on Bravo TV, two cast members wore bridal dresses designed by Galit Levi.

Galit Levi has contributed to the fashion of television entertainment by designing unique dresses and costumes for several shows. In 2006 and 2007, she designed dresses for contestants on 'Born to Dance' and 'Dancing with the Stars.' Earlier, in 2005 and 2006, Levi created costumes for Moran Atias, Eden Harel, and Yael Bar Zohar for their performances associated with the Eurovision Song Contest, in addition to designing attire for seventy backup dancers. In 2012, Levi was responsible for costume design in the Israeli TV series 'Ha-borer,' featuring Ania Bukstien and Neta Gerti, a series that was subsequently made available on Netflix. That same year, she also designed costumes for 'The Beauty and the Geek'.

In 2018, a gown designed by Galit Levi was featured on the MTV show 'Wild 'N Out,' with host Nick Cannon. Actress Erica Thom wore the gown during her appearance on the show.

In 2019, a wedding dress designed by Galit Levi was showcased on the Showtime program 'Desus & Mero,' worn by actress and comedian Julia Young.

Theatre
Designing costumes for musical shows ranks among Galit Levi's preferred projects. In 1998, she created 300 costumes for a musical that was performed in Germany as part of the celebrations for Israel's 50th anniversary, with its premiere in Munich. Later, in 2012, Levi designed dresses for performers in the 'Festival' musical.

In 2013, Galit Levi designed around 100 costumes for the 'Tchaikovsky Show,' a musical featuring songs by Mirit Shem Or. The musical made its debut on Broadway in New York in 2021

For Hanukkah in 2014, Galit Levi was responsible for designing costumes for the Israeli musical titled 'Fantasy'.

Personal life
Levi, who was previously married and is now divorced, has a daughter named Saar Lively, born in 1996. After her divorce, Levi chose to retain her last name, citing marketing reasons. In her personal time, she engages in yoga, painting, and is pursuing a law degree. Levi splits her time between Tel Aviv and New York City.

Recognition
Galit Levi has been recognized in Forbes' list of Young Promising Entrepreneurs and was also featured in the Forbes '40 under 40,' securing the 27th position overall and ranking 1st in the fashion sector.

Levi has been awarded the Israeli Fashion Award five times and has received the title of 'Designer of the Year' on several occasions. Her distinctive designs have been featured in competitions globally, where they have garnered further accolades.