NILI LOTAN

JOURNAL

The Nili Lotan beach dress is inspired by the Galabiya, a garb traditionally worn by men in the Middle East. It has translated into chic mainstream menswear style, a fact exemplified by Yves St Laurent’s love for the garment – see him below, lounging in a Galabiya at his summer house in Morocco!

YSL

This lightweight beach dress has also become a personal staple in my own closet throughout the years – I wear it often on the beach in Israel, and have had it in every collection I’ve created. It’s the sexiest, easiest thing to wear over your swimsuit!

Nili Lotan

Over the years, I’ve had it available in every color of the rainbow, from red and blue to lemon and chartreuse – not to mention white, of course! Right now, it’s available in a host of colors in both our stores and online, as well as at J. Crew.

Nili Lotan beach dress in white

Buy yours now! 

SPRING COLLECTION, 2012.

SPRING COLLECTION, 2012.

Whether it’s the decor of her apartment or design studio, Israeli-born designer Nili Lotan surrounds herself with things that have a certain aesthetic expression, where a serene sense of calm and simplicity is key. “It is important to me that my environment is very uncluttered. I really enjoy authentic colors and shapes, preferably beige and gray hues,” says Nili. The main floor of Nili’s apartment consists of a large, open multi-room space that includes the living room, dining area and kitchen. Upstairs, the office and bath are decorated simply, with carefully matched colors.  Two black swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen share space with a white sofa in the living room section, while a dark vintage table and bright aluminum chairs found at the flea market are in the dining area. The large room is saturated with a brilliant light, which is one of the main reasons why Nili so fond of living here:  “I fell for the light the first time I saw the apartment. The narrow sills in front of the large windows are one my favorite places in the apartment. I love to sit and look out while I talk on the phone. It’s fascinating to see the city’s energy without having to hear all of the noise. When I sit here, I can just let the thoughts fly all sorts of amazing places. It’s a habit I have with me from my childhood, when my family lived right by the Mediterranean. I have always loved to sit and watch the horizon.” The many pictures of her family and artwork that is located around the apartment are what matters most to Nili. By the window at the dining table hang two images of the Danish painter and graphic artist Leif Kath, whose simple, monochromatic style fits well with Nili’s aesthetics.  “I tend to gather things together in a very organic way. I’m not the type to acquire too many things. When I travel and go shopping for my work, I look for things that meet my aesthetic needs, the item can be functional or not. It doesn’t matter.”

Whether it’s the decor of her apartment or design studio, Israeli-born designer Nili Lotan surrounds herself with things that have a certain aesthetic expression, where a serene sense of calm and simplicity is key.


“It is important to me that my environment is very uncluttered. I really enjoy authentic colors and shapes, preferably beige and gray hues,” says Nili.


The main floor of Nili’s apartment consists of a large, open multi-room space that includes the living room, dining area and kitchen. Upstairs, the office and bath are decorated simply, with carefully matched colors.  Two black swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen share space with a white sofa in the living room section, while a dark vintage table and bright aluminum chairs found at the flea market are in the dining area.

The large room is saturated with a brilliant light, which is one of the main reasons why Nili so fond of living here:


 “I fell for the light the first time I saw the apartment. The narrow sills in front of the large windows are one my favorite places in the apartment. I love to sit and look out while I talk on the phone. It’s fascinating to see the city’s energy without having to hear all of the noise. When I sit here, I can just let the thoughts fly all sorts of amazing places. It’s a habit I have with me from my childhood, when my family lived right by the Mediterranean. I have always loved to sit and watch the horizon.”


The many pictures of her family and artwork that is located around the apartment are what matters most to Nili. By the window at the dining table hang two images of the Danish painter and graphic artist Leif Kath, whose simple, monochromatic style fits well with Nili’s aesthetics.


 “I tend to gather things together in a very organic way. I’m not the type to acquire too many things. When I travel and go shopping for my work, I look for things that meet my aesthetic needs, the item can be functional or not. It doesn’t matter.”

A soft light, muted colors, simple design, lots of portrait photographs and huge windows overlooking the energetic street life in Tribeca. Look inside the designer Nili Lotan’s beautiful New York apartment. Dining area : Dining table pictured was purchased by Nili at a flea market. Around the table is a bench and chairs that were found in small shops in New York. On the low bench along the wall is a collection of portrait photographs, some antique books and a metal Buddah Head. The Dynamometer was designed by George Nelson in 1946, available from Paustian.

A soft light, muted colors, simple design, lots of portrait photographs and huge windows overlooking the energetic street life in Tribeca. Look inside the designer Nili Lotan’s beautiful New York apartment.

Dining area : Dining table pictured was purchased by Nili at a flea market. Around the table is a bench and chairs that were found in small shops in New York. On the low bench along the wall is a collection of portrait photographs, some antique books and a metal Buddah Head. The Dynamometer was designed by George Nelson in 1946, available from Paustian.

Here lives :  Nili Lotan and her youngest daughter, Mia, 14 years.  Occupation : Nili is a fashion designer and has her own clothing line and shop in NY. Residential : 130 square meter third floor apartment located in TriBeCa.

Here lives :  Nili Lotan and her youngest daughter, Mia, 14 years. 

Occupation : Nili is a fashion designer and has her own clothing line and shop in NY.

Residential : 130 square meter third floor apartment located in TriBeCa.

Dining area : The dining table shown in the background was purchased by Nili at a flea market. The chairs are 1006 Navy. Detail : On the low table along the wall behind the dining table stand a collection of portrait photographs, and some antique books and a metal Buddah Head. Kitchen : The open kitchen is fitted with black wood and marble, and is a part of the large open floor plan. Kitchen : On the black marble kitchen countertop sits a glass pitcher on some very special, old Moroccan tiles.

Dining area : The dining table shown in the background was purchased by Nili at a flea market. The chairs are 1006 Navy.

Detail : On the low table along the wall behind the dining table stand a collection of portrait photographs, and some antique books and a metal Buddah Head.

Kitchen : The open kitchen is fitted with black wood and marble, and is a part of the large open floor plan.

Kitchen : On the black marble kitchen countertop sits a glass pitcher on some very special, old Moroccan tiles.

Living room : Like the rest of the apartment, the large living room is furnished simply and in neutral colors. Sofa table from approx. 1950 was purchased on eBay. It stands with two black swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen, available from Illums Bolighus. The black pole beside the sofa is part of the building’s construction.

Living room : Like the rest of the apartment, the large living room is furnished simply and in neutral colors. Sofa table from approx. 1950 was purchased on eBay. It stands with two black swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen, available from Illums Bolighus. The black pole beside the sofa is part of the building’s construction.

More About Nili Lotan Since 1980, designer Nili Lotan has been working in New York as Senior Design Director for several leading fashion companies, including Nautica and Ralph Lauren. In 2003 she launched her own collection under her own name, now sold in select specialty stores located in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and throughout Europe. In 2006 she opened her first shop at 188 Duane Street in Tribeca, NY, where she combines her design studio and retail shop. - Read more about Nili Lotan design nililotan.com Store : The shop is located above the design studio. Its design is guided by the same principles as the studio - white, minimalist with a gallery-like atmosphere where the clothes are presented as works of art. Only one piece of each style is displayed. Through glass under the table, customers in the store can look at the work being done in the design studio downstairs. Dressing rooms in the background are made of vintage parachutes that are draped across some metal frames. The shelves on the left are custom built for the exhibition of rare vintage fashion and photography books, which are also sold in the store.

More About Nili Lotan

Since 1980, designer Nili Lotan has been working in New York as Senior Design Director for several leading fashion companies, including Nautica and Ralph Lauren. In 2003 she launched her own collection under her own name, now sold in select specialty stores located in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and throughout Europe. In 2006 she opened her first shop at 188 Duane Street in Tribeca, NY, where she combines her design studio and retail shop.

- Read more about Nili Lotan design nililotan.com

Store : The shop is located above the design studio. Its design is guided by the same principles as the studio - white, minimalist with a gallery-like atmosphere where the clothes are presented as works of art. Only one piece of each style is displayed. Through glass under the table, customers in the store can look at the work being done in the design studio downstairs. Dressing rooms in the background are made of vintage parachutes that are draped across some metal frames. The shelves on the left are custom built for the exhibition of rare vintage fashion and photography books, which are also sold in the store.

Studio : Inside Nili Lotan’s design studio are display stands that include a shelf with vintage photography books. The idea behind the design here is minimalism, a purity that is sophisticated and fresh. For Nili, it is important for everything to find its proper place and prevent outside stimulus from interfering, so she can concentrate on the things that inspire her. To the left is a selection of photographs of styles from Nili Lotan’s Autumn 2010 collection. NILI’s FAVORITE SHOPS Interiør/Design - Mondo Cane, 174 Duane Street in Tribeca - Paula Rubenstein, 65 Prince Street in Soho - Espasso, 38 N. Moore Street in Tribeca Fashion - Vintage Boutique, Ina, 101 Thompson Street in Soho - Strongarm Clothing & Supply Co. 27 W 20th Street in Soho Studio : The quotation on the wall is by Nili Lotan. The dress shown was designed from a picture of Wall Street in 1920, when the stock market collapsed. Detail : Things to inspire the work space . An old notebook from the U.S. Army, some old buttons, snapshots from a photo shoot and some old cotton labels in a vintage metal tray. Detail : The images are part of Nili’s inspiration. They include her family, friends and ideas that inspire her collections

Studio : Inside Nili Lotan’s design studio are display stands that include a shelf with vintage photography books. The idea behind the design here is minimalism, a purity that is sophisticated and fresh. For Nili, it is important for everything to find its proper place and prevent outside stimulus from interfering, so she can concentrate on the things that inspire her. To the left is a selection of photographs of styles from Nili Lotan’s Autumn 2010 collection.

NILI’s FAVORITE SHOPS

Interiør/Design

- Mondo Cane, 174 Duane Street in Tribeca

- Paula Rubenstein, 65 Prince Street in Soho

- Espasso, 38 N. Moore Street in Tribeca

Fashion

- Vintage Boutique, Ina, 101 Thompson Street in Soho

- Strongarm Clothing & Supply Co. 27 W 20th Street in Soho

Studio : The quotation on the wall is by Nili Lotan. The dress shown was designed from a picture of Wall Street in 1920, when the stock market collapsed.

Detail : Things to inspire the work space . An old notebook from the U.S. Army, some old buttons, snapshots from a photo shoot and some old cotton labels in a vintage metal tray.

Detail : The images are part of Nili’s inspiration. They include her family, friends and ideas that inspire her collections