When Yuval Raphael took to the Eurovision stage for her first rehearsal in Basel, Switzerland, all eyes were on her striking black ensemble. The 24-year-old Israeli singer, set to perform New Day Will Rise in the second semifinal on May 15, debuted a bold black jumpsuit designed by Victor (Vivi) Bellaish, styled by Sivan Himi, and paired with custom jewelry by Keren Wolf.
The jumpsuit, a structured black design featuring sharp shoulders and long chiffon sleeves that evoke the shape of wings, mirrors the dramatic aesthetic seen in the song’s music video. In the video, Raphael dons a white Bellaish shirt adorned with angelic wings—now reimagined in a darker, more commanding version for her stage appearance.
“The jumpsuit gives her power,” said Bellaish, who is making his Eurovision debut with this design. “It’s an antithesis to the glittery circus usually associated with the contest.” He emphasized that the outfit is part of a broader stage concept that will fully reveal itself during Raphael’s live performance on May 15.
For Bellaish, Raphael was a full creative partner in the design process, calling her his “muse” and drawing inspiration from the emotional depth of the song, which he described as reminiscent of dramatic French chansons. “I wanted to use my design to empower her,” he explained.
Unlike last year’s outfit worn by Eden Golan, which some interpreted as referencing the ongoing war in Gaza, Raphael’s look steers clear of overt political symbols or Israeli motifs. Bellaish emphasized that the song’s message is strong enough to stand on its own, without the need for added symbolism or commentary. No costume changes are planned for Raphael’s performance, unlike Dana International’s famous outfit change during her 1998 Eurovision win.
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Jewelry designer Keren Wolf contributed symbolic touches with bird-shaped rings and hand cuffs. “They suggest rebirth and the journey from darkness to light,” Wolf explained, reinforcing the themes of resilience and transformation central to both the song and the outfit.
Stylist Sivan Himi, who also worked on Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv, described her vision for Raphael’s look as protective. “When I was asked to dress Yuval, I immediately envisioned something timeless, classic, and emotional—not loud or flashy,” Himi said. “On big stages like this, I think of the outfit as a kind of armor that provides the artist with confidence and strength.”
For Raphael, the black ensemble holds personal significance. “Black makes me feel safe,” she shared. “It’s a secure place in fashion, but it also reflects the darkness of war and the current state of our country. From that darkness, we will rise into the light—and the wings of the outfit, along with Keren’s birds, carry that message.”
As Raphael prepares for her Eurovision debut, her empowering look, along with her emotionally charged performance, promises to captivate audiences and make a powerful statement on the grand stage.