What a year. It’s funny, it seems as though it was so long and eventful (to say the least!) but at the same time, the memory of this very day last year stands so fresh in my mind… I think that more than anything for me this year was all about pondering. The last 3 years were probably the most hectic {and game-changing} in my entire life and within all the commotion I rarely had the luxury to pause and just think about it all for a moment… This year I forced myself to reflect, to have a close look at who I’ve become, who I aspire to be and how long is the distance between the two. I think that this year, sort of against all odds -ironically- something clicked into placed and perhaps that’s just part of maturing but I’ve realized that some things just are what they are and that is ALRIGHT. It won’t come as a shock to you all when I say we live in a very competitive world in so many different aspects of life; our looks, our intelligence, our pockets, our fashionable taste buds, the amounts of our creativity, our endurance under the stress and our talent persistence are all put to the test of “fair” competition, day after day. And that is alright too, but the point is no matter how hard you try, you can never beat “the hand” and the cards you’ve been handed are the only ones you can use for your victory.The question is are you willing to learn the trade and use what you’ve got to produce the best outcome under the circumstances. I won’t sugar coat it guys, it’s been a tough one for me but at times also simply wonderful. Looking back on it all I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for all the incredible people life has sent my way; my talented friends without whom I could never make it through the year ,my handsome beau that challenges me every single day to be the best version of myself, my dear family that I miss so terribly and all the contributors I had the great honor working with this year under operation CHIC a’ la RUSSE! So before we move forward and set the tone for what’s to come, let’s have a look, shall we?

This year started out in Israel with a series of reunion collaborations with a dear friends, Eldad Carin and Alona Bell that I’ve known for years from my modeling days back home. Goes without saying these are a few of my favorite posts ever shot for the blog (see the full posts here, here, here and here) I can’t wait for the next time! Along with good friends I had the chance to work with new collaborators, up and coming young Photographers from the industry in Israel. Shooting in my hometown with Amir Weiss (above) and with Guy Prives in Rabin Square in Tel-Aviv (see full posts here and here)Another promising collaborator which I foresee a great demand for is Julie Teitler that I had the pleasure joining forces with for our Open Field post (below)Back in the city working with established collaborators from 2011 like Greg Adams (below)And opening the summer season in NYC with Mario Delgado in *Eye Candy* (below) How can I forget our {Elecrtic Blue} incounter with Jacob Skoglund, probably the youngest collaborator in the history of CHIC a’ la RUSSE! (below)And off course our Brazilian wonder, Barbara Raso, in Neon Touch and Snake Skinned (Below) Barbara I miss you!Also the two latest additions to the CHIC a’ la RUSSE family Jaehee Hwang (below)And Oren R Cohen that was a sweet chaperon for a few CHIC events this year…(below)Including TLV Fashion Gala, a first event of it’s kind in the big apple celebrating the new crop of Israeli Fashion Designers, including Maria Berman, a personal favorite! The Gala was gracefully orchestrated by Galit Reismann, in collaboration with Dor Chadash. I was sporting a young Israeli designer of my own, Daniel Silverstain, wearing a fresh frock from the Runway (below)Speaking of runways, there’s no way I can wrap up this year without mentioning the colossal success Daniel had this year, starting of with a VOGUE Italy top 10 “MUUSE’s most promising designer acknowledgment and followed by an ELLE Fashion Next runway show in Lincoln Center NYC!!! (below) And I don’t want to spoil any exciting surprises but let’s just say much more is coming your way in 2013! However to conclude 2012, the cherry on the top for me is an exclusive partnership with  Harper’s BAZAAR as a Style Ambassador! Thank you for considering me to be worthy of the title, I hope the new year will bring along many more exciting endeavors! Below is a peak into my first assignment with DIOR, at the launch of the Dressy Nudes palette…As I said- what a year…! Thank you all for accompanying me in that journey, I hope we all have an epic 2013 that will top any plans we have in mind! Stop by in 2013…!