Born and raised in Israel, Kobi Halperin lived in his homeland until he moved to New York after college to pursue his fashion dreams. He continues to gain inspiration from his childhood by returning home as often as he can. Although Halperin has pursued a career in fashion, he is proud that Israelis don’t take fashion too seriously because that breeds uniqueness and keeps the street style interesting. Here, he shares some insider tips and thoughts on the vibrant Middle East city.
FAVORITE THINGS: The energy and smell you can feel as soon as you arrive; there is a spiritual feeling in the air. I love going to the old city and wandering the small stores along the streets. I often find beautiful old textiles and trims that I bring back with me and incorporate into my collections. Jerusalem reminds me of my childhood, but back then, it used to be very safe and exciting. It’s sad that it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS: Being stuck in traffic on my way there.
MUST DO: Go to Tel Aviv (haha)! But in all seriousness, the beauty of Jerusalem is magnified by the contrast of the two cities.
MUST SEE: The Israeli Museum. As a designer, I am very inspired by my heritage and culture and the Israeli Museum is filled with amazing historical artifacts and cultural exhibits. I also believe, as heavy as it might be, that it is important to go to Yad Vashem – the Holocaust Memorial.
WHERE TO EAT: My favorite restaurant is MachneYuda. It’s not fancy, but it feels homey and the food is amazing! Often times, you will see people getting up and dancing and the whole restaurant feels like an open kitchen! They actually opened up another location in London a few years ago, and it was named best restaurant in the UK.
BEST STREET STYLE: One of the best things about Israelis, and especially those in Jerusalem, is that they don’t take fashion seriously. It’s about comfort, so you will see people mixing ethnic influences like Gallabias and tunics, with jeans and crocs.
ON MISSING ISREAL: There is a warmness and feeling of togetherness when I’m in Israel. I miss that sometimes when I’m in New York, but I must admit that that feeling can be overwhelming after three days.
