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Crazy night in Paris: "Albert Elbaz wants to meet you"
The esteemed designer Albert Elbaz, who passed away two years ago, asked to meet Noam Horev for an intimate dinner in Paris.
It turns out they had a lot in common, and those are the memories from that night that will never be forgotten.
"I had to meet you, even though I feel like I already know you"
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Albert Elbaz
Noam Horev
Noam Horev
Monday, 26 April 2021, 07:07 Updated: 07:08
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An unforgettable night.
Right: Noam Horev, second left: Albert Elbaz (Photo: Private photo: Noam Horev)
About two years ago, my phone rang, and a lovely woman was on the line.
She introduced herself as a friend of fashion designer Albert Elbaz, said she knew I was coming to Paris soon, and asked to arrange a meeting between us.
Now come on, you're talking to a guy who's still wearing fox bras and wearing root sandals.
I could not understand who she was talking about.
At first I thought she meant Albert Illuz at all (and I did not understand what suddenly he wants to meet me), and only after a tiring probing in my head - I remembered that there is a world-renowned Israeli fashion designer named Albert Elbaz.
Of course I answered in the affirmative.
After I hung up, I went to Google and typed: Albert Elbaz.
The jaw dropped.
A boy who grew up in Holon, finished "Shenkar" and became one of the most respected designers in the world.
The Hollywood stars stood in his line, he garnered dozens of awards and titles and reached the top of the top.
The Hollywood stars stood in line for him.
Elbaz and Emma Stone (Photo: GettyImages, Larry Busacca)
Then I arrived in Paris. For a day and a half I was debating what to wear (what to wear to a meeting with a guy wearing Kate Moss?) I arrived at the fluffy Bristol Hotel, entered the lobby and hesitantly approached a sweet little man with glasses sitting at one of the tables. It was not difficult to identify him from the photos.
I held out a trembling hand to him and stammered, "Hi Albert, very nice, I'm pleasant. What an honor!", He pulled me into a hug.
We sat down around the table and started chatting. The waiters, the security guards, the bartenders, the chef, the hotel owner and those who did not rode around us non-stop. Everyone approached Albert, and saw that everything was fine, that he was satisfied, that he was happy. And he just nodded to everyone nicely. I admit that for the first few minutes I barely uttered a word. I felt like I was sitting with the Queen of England. I did not understand why the hell he asked to meet with me and how I got into this class at all.
"You must be asking yourself why I wanted to meet you" he smiled.
I nodded in embarrassment.
"I've been following you for years. I love your songs. Your children's books. The 'draft of happiness'. Your words accompany me and excite me. They are the essence of Israeliness in my eyes. I know your whole story by heart. Because you are me. And I'm you. I too came from the periphery with big dreams. I too fought to make my voice heard. I too felt different. I too did not give in to the dictates and expectations of the society in which I grew up. "
I swallowed and nodded awkwardly.
More on Walla!
"If it's not wearable - it's not fashion": Albert Elbaz's great quotes
To the full article
"I too came from the periphery with big dreams."
Albert Elbaz (Photo: GettyImages)
The evening continued.
Cocktail and another cocktail.
Call into the night and then we went outside.
A convoy of cars was waiting for us and took us to the artist Bacon's exhibition at the Pompidou Center.
All the way there we talked about relationships.
About dreams.
About Israel.
On failures and successes.
A soul-digging soul-searching conversation with one of the world-renowned fashion designers, in a car with tinted windows galloping through the rainy streets of Paris.
Reward a scene from a movie.
We parted with kisses after an unforgettable evening, and Albert remained strong in my heart.
Not that he was shrouded in Hollywood stardust.
Not that he had Sarah Jessica Parker speed dial.
Not that the Parisian street worshiped him.
Not because he has achieved achievements that no Israeli before him has reached.
Not that he is considered one of the most influential fashion designers in the world.
Not that it inspired millions.
He stayed with me in my heart, because while I was sitting and talking to him, he let me forget about it all.
A conversation for the soul under the auspices of alcohol (Photo: Private photo: Noam Horev)
He was so humble that for a moment I forgot that I was talking to a world oasis, and I ran with him repressively as if we were sitting in a cow pub in some kibbutz near Afula.
He was devoid of self-importance.
He remembered what really mattered.
He appreciated through.
stubbornness.
persistence.
vision.
He was paperless.
He was moved by simplicity.
From words.
From people.
Just like a child.
In the end, if you ask me, it really measures a person.
Albert Elbaz may be remembered forever as a genius fashion designer, with inspiration going, as a tremendous visionary, but most of all he will be remembered as a man who remembered to remain a man.
And it's rare these days, even more so than dressing up Meryl Streep.
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