Knits have been a local a staple for a while. Many young local designers love the ease with which it can be deconstructed, ruched, wrapped, and draped (remember Rami on Project Runway?); it also serves well in a number of contexts and holds its shape, even on the most humid days or nights. It’s comfortable and shows off curves — Israeli women and men alike are very, very into their curves. That’s due to our Mediterranean locale, I’m guessing. And the fact that curves are still considered attractive here. (I’m speaking specifically of Tel Aviv here; the variance in Israel — in climate, culture, language, religion and religious observance, approach to dressing, etc. — is astounding for our geographic size.)

Twice a year (once per season), Tel Aviv is host to a local designers’ market, where visitors can browse and buy items by emerging, as well as more established, Israeli fashion designers, jewelers, shoemakers, etc. I’m fixing to go this evening — anyone else out there attending?

While I think words have a lot of power, we can also give them a lot of power. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make me feel inferior without my permission” – I may not have gotten the quote exactly right but it was something along those lines.

I also think that context and intent is everything. Great, if you’re trying to educate someone and point out the potential impact of their words. At the same time before taking offense yourself, you might consider the source, the overall tone of the forum and the individual themselves. I am struck by the very thing that some people are pointing out: words can hurt – that they might not be aware that their words can be equally hurtful. Is it ok for someone to say things that might be hurtful if they use “sanctioned”, politically correct words and not ok for someone to use words that might be misconstrued? While some people might be offended by the historical connotations of a word, some others might be offended by what is said and in what manner.

I don’t have a right answer. I doubt there is one. As a student of human dynamics, group interactions, and conflict, I am struck by the comments on this thread. And I hope that whenever I feel particularly compelled to point out something to someone else, that I am equally aware of the potential impact of my own words. And who knows – perhaps I am unintentionally doing the same myself right now