"What Amdursky is doing is beyond being brave - he is revolutionary." Fashion Forward

Hod VeHadar (Photo: Ben Zeiger)

Assaf Amdursky is sitting in the studio of “The Next Star” with sunglasses. It was especially hard to miss it yesterday in the season premiere episode, which actually constituted the official launch of the new referee. Not Ren Danker, Amdursky himself – in the crazy and crazy fashion version. Wearing sunglasses indoors is a great way to declare that you have come to declare, and that is exactly what veteran rockstar and stylist Ben Zeiger wants to achieve.

“The previous season was very calm,” he explains toFF The man behind the talked about and exciting fashion issue of the moment. “Aspi then came out of the political protests of that period, and wanted to feel more solid, to assimilate. There was still an atmosphere of corona and homeliness, and he did not seek to use fashion but simply to look representative. I of course flow and let him decide what suits him – whether it is one percent or 120 percent. ”

Totally and without judgment (Photo: Ben Zeiger)

Zeiger and Amdursky met about two years ago, when the stylist returned to Israel after a year of an epidemic in Berlin. A joint company recommended, and Zeiger received a spontaneous offer to create styling and concept for a new musician clip. “It was very organic – we met and there was a really good connection, and we were able to do something very special together. He accompanied me and saw how I work. It was a bit unusual, there was some circumstantial cooperation that really connected us. Then he offered to do with him. The next star. ” What has happened since you exploded on your screen yesterday, and never ceases to draw reactions of all kinds. Zeiger is a bit surprised by the amount and volume, but makes sure to enjoy every moment: “It feels good, because it’s a byproduct of fun, of creativity and flow, and it shows us all what happens when we surrender and are total, and allow ourselves to act without judgment.”

It’s hard to delineate the two’s wild adventure in genres and settings, and that’s probably the goal – and also the way to get there. We did some filming in a glam rock vibe, and started talking about idols like Nicholas Cage, Brad Pitt in the Fight Club, rock stars like the Rolling Stones, androgynous characters like David Bowie or the amazing Dennis Rodman, and of course all the new guys like Lil Nass ex and Harry Styles , Which brings glory and splendor to what it means to be a man who dresses in a world of entertainment and how wide and enabling it is. It’s not about that, it’s a kind of mood. “

Wet kiss for the early 2000s (Photo: Ben Zeiger)

Excessive is not an argument

Zeiger’s main means at this carnival of inspirations are vintage items from super brands, which he eagerly picks from stores and boutiques like Return, Lonnie Vintage or Love Me To Times (“People Need to Know These Are Treasure Chests”), and also from private collections. “It’s very important to me to bring the thing itself, to find the source and not the contemporary imitation. It has value at the conceptual level and that’s what makes the garment exciting – it’s impossible not to put John Galliano in housing or Roberto Cavalli of the 21st century, and obviously I’m calling a company that “I have one shirt by Jean Paul Gaultier so that it will be the thing itself and not something near. It is a very special process for me too, and of course Assaf is an amazing partner. I am proud of him on levels, I think what he does is beyond brave – he is revolutionary.”

Is he also a partner on the creative side, or mostly flowing with you?
“He’s very involved, he’s not a doll. It’s like a jam session of musicians – even if I do not tell him what I will sing, he understands and knows how to accompany me. We develop together. It’s fun to find that he does not take himself seriously, with all his self-humor. He is also a critical and meticulous man – and he knows what he is talking about, I am constantly discovering his intelligence and infinite knowledge – precisely because of all this, he flows and dedicates in an amazing way. He’s a crazy partner to go through with this thing, and I feel like we’re just making another appendix of art together. “

“It’s fun to find out he doesn’t take himself seriously” (Photo: Ben Zeiger)

There are things he tells you about no?
“His ‘no’ is grounded – he will wear uncomfortable things, small tight – if it’s true he will do it, it’s just a question of accuracy. And he also allows himself to be wrong. Sometimes we wonder – is it excessive? Then we say, well Excessive is not a reason not to wear. It’s not a correct reason. Exaggerating is fine. We come to entertain, to bomb, even to laugh. It’s fun to feel the movement of those who sway, who are at first terrified and then allow themselves to wonder: Wait, is that cool? “.

Do you feel you are doing something important here?
“Unequivocally. Let’s talk about 2022, about non-binary, gender fluidity, what is masculinity, what is femininity? What are we talking about? “What’s beautiful in your eyes without judging yourself. That’s something that’s supposed to happen today. If a handsome Ben Straight dresses in a two – way way – it’s supposed to be celebrated and not shocking.”

Celebrate and not be shocked (Photo: from Keshet Broadcasting 12)

Zeiger has a hard time containing the excitement about the look he’s working on with Amdursky right now – “it’s a kind of cowboy in Africa, in the savannah”, and testifies that he especially likes what he calls “the bride’s collection” – a delicate and melancholy total of white lace combined with a small greenish bag Prada. In short, if you thought that what you saw yesterday was the climax, you really should think again – and on the way open your head a little.

So what’s the matter with the glasses?
“It stems from all sorts of things. Assaf doesn’t do hair makeup, so you can look at it as a face piece of jewelry that complements Luke. Maybe it’s a ‘quote’ of the masks – another, alternative mask. It also gives him a chance to hide for a moment and think – Assaf is a thinker .