From the 1970s onwards, the brand name Gottex was synonymous with Israeli fashion. Named for its founders, the Gottlieb family, Gottex and its legendary head designer Lea Gottleib, the First Lady of Israeli fashion, were credited for bringing bathing suits into the realm of high fashion.

Before she died this past November, at the age of 96, Gottlieb was involved in the creation of a retrospective of her life’s work. Curators from the Design Museum Holon met with Gottlieb at her home where they sorted through thousands of items. The resulting exhibition, A Tribute to Leah Gottlieb 1918-2012, will be the opening event at Holon Design Week, starting next month.

– text by israelity.com

photo: Keren Lahman
Lady of the Daisies – A Tribute to

photo: Keren Lahman
Jerusalem of Gold, 1992

photo: Keren Lahman
Lady of the Daisies – A Tribute to Lea Gottlieb

photo: Yael Engelhart
Topkapi Collection, 1989

photo: Yael Engelhart
Upper Gallery – From the designs of Lea Gottlieb

photo: Yael Engelhart
Illustration and design: Molly Grad

Models: Nechama Lev and Louise
photo: Ben Lam

Images courtesy of Lea Gottlieb Archive

Images courtesy of Lea Gottlieb Archive

Photo by Illustrations by Lea Cohen

Photo by Illustrations by Lea Cohen

Photo by Illustrations by Lea Cohen