Haim Revivo, the metrosexual Israeli
צילום: עופר עמרם
Latest Parisian trend: Israeli men
Behind the rugged image of Israeli men, Europe is slowly discovering a man who takes an interest in wine, and who has something to say about culture and literature
Although he is better known for his ruggedness than his style, and after several prestigious magazines worldwide published flattering articles on Israeli women, the turn of Israeli men has arrived.
The prestigious French fashion magazine Stiletto has announced that it intends to publish a special edition devoted to the "Israeli man" to mark its 60th anniversary.
The magazine's editor in chief, Laurence Benaïm, contacted Anita Mazor, Israel's cultural attaché at the Israeli embassy in Paris, and asked for her help in producing the special publication. The edition will be edited by journalist and author Clemence Bullock. The editors are set to arrive in Israel this week to make initial contact and gain first impressions.
The special edition will also focus on social and current affairs, alongside the traditional topics of fashion and design.
Itzik Zohar (Photo: Raphi Daloya)
"They want to show that the Israeli man does indeed have a rough exterior, but that he is sweet from within," the cultural attaché Mazor explained. "They are interested in the metrosexual Israeli man, the one who takes an interest in design, wine, and beautiful clothes. The editors will look for interesting personalities. They will also want to look into the lives of the active homosexual community in Israel."
Sources at the Israeli embassy in Paris said they were happy at the opportunity to present the lesser known side of the Israeli man. "We liked their idea," said Mazor. "For a change they will be talking about the Israeli man without reference to uniforms and weapons. This is an excellent opportunity for us to show them a different Israeli, the man who does not appear on the newscasts.”
"I think Europe is beginning to discover a different Israeli, and that Israeli film has contributed to this significantly. Our films are successful in Europe and are giving the Israeli man a wonderful reputation. Behind the rugged and rough image of Israeli men a creative man who takes an interest in wine and who has something to say about culture and literature is coming through."
