Archaeologist

The 2018 collection was inspired by two of the first women in the world to contribute to the field of archaeology Professor Dorothy Garrod (1892-1968) and Dame Kathleen Kenyon (1906-1976).

Their most prominent research was done at Mount Carmel, the Tower of David and Jericho in British Mandate Palestine - Eretz Israel.

The collection is built on the foundation of clothing patterns most likely worn by the two in the 1920s and 30s, combined with ancient clothing patterns wholly constructed from triangles, squares and rectangles. This creates a distinct modern look imbued with an air of heritage. Colors are warm, calm and natural: khaki, golden unbleached cotton and dusty pink and peach - all hand dyed from natural extracts made from local plants in the T.K studio. The fabrics used range from stiff and crisp cotton poplin, cotton drill and heavy linen to crumbling and wrinkled muslin and gauze.

These two groundbreaking women, often described as quiet, opinionated and brave, devoted their lives to the study of the ancient cultures of the Levant. At the time, it was extremely rare and "unladylike" for women to travel on their own to a different country. But it was in the Levant that they found their professional freedom and their place in the world, collaborating with the diverse populations of the area and making huge breakthroughs in the fields of Archaeology, History and Science. Both were apparently not interested in fashion and thought of clothing as a practicality. Like many working women in the 1920s and 30s they mostly wore men's clothing like cotton undershirts, smocks, breeches, riding garments, utility clothing and safari suits, embracing the "dress down" approach of westerners in the Middle East.

Kushnir finds that Garrod and Kenyon embody the most basic values and ideas of her work: a constant search for knowledge about the story of mankind through our beautiful creations and with great responsibility, passing the story onward to the public for us to keep and cherish.

Prof Garrod and Dame Kenyon resonates to Kushnir's fundamental belief that the digging, discovering, knowing and understanding of the past is essential for future development in the most literal way possible.

The collection features one-of-a-kind jewelry hand made by artist Yoav Hirsch. Hirsch sculpted ceramic masks and figurines inspired by archaeological finds and incorporated pearls and brass to make the jewelry collection. In addition, hand drawn fabrics made originally for the artist exhibition “Permanent Island” were repurposed to make pieces for the collection.

“Archeology collection” honorably won a prize for up and coming designers in 2017 by the Israeli Lottery Counsel for the Arts ("Mifal Ha’pais”).

*Shot in the Installation "Permanent Island" by Artist Yoav Hirsch