March Mashiach’s fleece collection
March Messiah, a globally recognized fashion designer, has been residing in Berlin for three decades. During his captivating Ted talk, he reveals his early passion for sewing and revamping garments, a skill he honed by experimenting with his mother’s wardrobe.
He fondly recalls his mother’s influential presence, who always supported his creative endeavors by allowing him to design her clothes. In addition, he credits his sisters for their notable achievements and acknowledges their friendship as a pivotal childhood encounter that introduced him to the accordion-like fleece fabric, igniting his imagination.
His residence in Tel Aviv exudes an exquisite charm home beautiful as a captivating magazine feature. His magnetic personality effortlessly drew me in, and within just a couple of encounters, I found myself completely enamored.
Following his military service, he made the move to Berlin, embarking on a unique and captivating journey in the fashion realm.
His path diverged from the conventional landscape of traditional fashion studies as he ventured into the industry as a model for renowned brands like Christian Dior and Gaultier. However, his trajectory took a fascinating turn when he discovered his passion for knitting machines.
This newfound love prompted him to create a small collection, which quickly sold out at a Berlin exhibition, igniting the opening of his own store and paving the way for a flourishing design career.
Life on the runway seemed exhilarating until an unexpected turn of events occurred. During a nap, he awoke to find his vision deteriorating rapidly, ultimately leaving him with only 10% of his sight. This life-altering experience prompted his return to Tel Aviv, where the abundant sunshine and the joy of life provided him with the ability to perceive a bit more in the bright daylight.
Engaging in conversation with March, one can easily forget that he faces visual challenges. His charisma and captivating nature overshadow any limitations, as he effortlessly identifies his dresses through touch. Observing him in his home, one might mistake his actions as those of complete independence to an untrained eye.
Remarkably, he has committed to memory an impressive array of 45 shades that reside vividly in his mind. Accompanying him on his shopping excursions is Ruby, his trusted companion, and guiding force, who serves as his invaluable third eye in navigating the world.
In the bustling Nahalat Binyamin street, He navigates with a keen eye, relying on what captures his heart to guide his vision. When he discovers remarkable fabrics, he arranges for their shipment to Germany, where a colossal fleece machine awaits their transformation.
Clothing suppliers from fashion capitals like Paris, Berlin, and Italy contribute vibrant color collections of fleece, which Binyamin skillfully complements with precious treasures he uncovers during his ventures.
He embarked on his Ted lecture with a noble objective: to inspire individuals who have faced adversities, demonstrating that creativity can endure.
The journey has not been easy, as he mastered the art of fashion illustration using bold markers and now relies on his memory to catalog colors. No longer able to peruse fashion magazines to stay informed about designers’ works, he found true magic in his collections, which emanate from his inner vision. Astonishingly, customers attested that the first collection after his blindness was his finest creation yet.
In the heart of Tel Aviv, he maintains a conveniently located showroom within his residence.
In Berlin, he boasts a larger showroom situated in the Charlottenburg district. With a team comprising two showroom staff members and fifteen skilled seamstresses, all engaged in meticulous hand sewing, his operation is far from modest.
This thriving enterprise not only embodies an inspiring personal narrative but also thrives amid the challenging global landscape of the design industry.
He gained invaluable life experience in navigating through crises as he went through the process of learning to walk again. Despite experiencing falls and facing the harsh reality of tragedy, he learned firsthand that even in the face of great adversity, life goes on. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and finding balance in order to persevere and eventually find solace in returning home.
Even during challenging times, he believes in the significance of continuous creation, even if on a smaller scale. Just as one can savor small rolls, he highlights the importance of adapting and later regaining growth and momentum.
Today, he presents his shows on Zoom, inviting familiar buyers who are already acquainted with his work. Through word-of-mouth, more people join in, eager to witness his latest collection. The upcoming collection is expected to be released in approximately two and a half weeks and showcases a unique blend of fleece fabrics, transparencies, and innovative material combinations.
Within this new collection, vibrant colors of fleece fabrics intertwine with sleek dresses adorned with colorful summer flower prints. The designs feature sculptural and unexpected cuts, exuding a poetic extravagance that brings the fabrics to life. Mashiach’s artistic language emphasizes
both drama and precision, derived from his intuition and the imaginative depths of his creative spirit. The versatility of the garments allows for different configurations and re-interpretations with each wear, adding an element of excitement to every individual’s personal style.
Photograph by Ravit Sahar
This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)
