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Rotem Abergel

Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art

Hello my name is Rotem Abergel, and I’m a third year fashion design student at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design, and Art. My work is driven by research into contrasts and the dialogue between opposing qualities. I navigate the tension between two worlds that together create a whole new world. I express these connections through natural materials and handmade art in most of my designs. Every project starts with research, which allows the concept, the material, and the making process to evolve together throughout the design journey. I believe that handcrafting is more than a technique; it’s a way to convey ideas, where every stitch, construction detail, and material choice becomes part of the story of the garment. Inspired by art, architecture, and cultural narratives, I strive to create contemporary collections that combine thoughtful design, innovation, and quality handmade craftsmanship.

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Fragility vs. Stability

Category: Apparel

Competitions: International

What remains, and what fades away? This question became the starting point of my project and led me to explore the relationship between fragility and stability. Rather than seeing them as opposites, I became interested in the way they rely on one another. Stability cannot exist without vulnerability, and fragility often reveals an unexpected strength. Through material, construction and movement, I explore how these two forces coexist. The project is inspired by artists such as Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Calder, whose works investigate balance, weight and movement. Their ability to create structures that appear stable while remaining in constant motion encouraged me to rethink the relationship between the body and the garment. Like Calder’s mobiles, the garments shift and respond to the wearer’s movement, creating a balance that is never fixed but constantly evolving. My material research began with weathered, peeling surfaces that carry visible traces of time. These textures led me to leather, a material traditionally associated with durability and resilience. Instead of emphasizing only its strength, I chose to reveal its softer and more delicate qualities. Visible hand stitching remains intentionally exposed, making the construction itself part of the design language. Each stitch becomes an essential structural element, demonstrating that strength can be created through careful, handmade craftsmanship. A central element of the collection is the handcrafted sterling silver jewelry, which serves as the closure system of each garment rather than as decoration. Inspired by the sculptural language of Noguchi and Calder, these pieces create a dynamic balance between structure and movement. Each piece is hand knitted using sterling silver wire. For me, stability is not something rigid or permanent. It is created through continuous adjustment, connection and care. By combining leather with handcrafted sterling silver jewelry and visible hand stitching, the project expresses the idea that resilience is not the absence of fragility but the ability of fragile and strong elements to exist together and support one another.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.