Eli Sharabi, relatives of ex-hostages strut runway at TLV Fashion Week
Crowd erupts in cheers as Eli Sharabi and relatives of other freed hostages held in Gaza walk out in all white outfits during return of event after wartime hiatus
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Tel Aviv Fashion Week returned on Sunday after a wartime hiatus, with a series of special guests strutting down the runway, including former hostage Eli Sharabi, along with the relatives of several other freed captives.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Sharabi — decked out in a white suit — appeared among the models.
He went on to clasp hands with another fashion show participant, Gaya Calderon, whose brothers Sahar and Erez were held for 52 days in Gaza and whose father Ofer survived 484 days in captivity.
Also taking the runway were Keren Schem, the mother of former hostage Mia Schem; Dani Miran, the father of released hostage Omri Miran; and Ayelet Samerano, whose son Yonatan was killed during Hamas’s October 7 onslaught and whose body was recovered by the IDF in Gaza in June.
The models were played out to a rendition of Israeli Opera singer Margalit Tzanani’s “There Will Still Be For Me,” sung by Shiri Maimon
Tel Aviv Fashion Week hasn’t taken place in two and a half years, said influencer Noa Tishby, who emceed the emotional evening gathering.
Last night, we opened Tel Aviv Fashion Week with returned hostages and their families. We have one message: “Until the last hostage is home.” pic.twitter.com/Mnr8cRnTXg
— Noa Tishby (@noatishby) October 27, 2025
The event, in its 15th edition, kicked off on Sunday and will run through Thursday at the Israel Electric compound on Tel Aviv’s Kremenetski Street.
The event’s longtime producer, Motty Reif, has said he wanted to bring back Fashion Week in order to help support Israeli designers and to offer some optimism to Israelis.
More than 100 designers, including both younger and lesser-known names as well as more familiar ones, such as Sasson Kedem, Ronen Chen, Rina Zin, Maskit, Gideon and Karen Oberson and Dorin Frankfurt, are participating in the 26 fashion shows that will take place throughout the week.
Reif also noted in recent media interviews that he required participating designers to find more diverse models, representing all sizes and backgrounds.
Fashion photographer Ben Lam will be honored with the Fashion Week’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award for his career spanning more than four decades documenting Israel’s fashion history.
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