May 16, 2011 9:00 AM
Esti Ginzburg
Esti Ginzburg
Her style
Casual, beach chic. Tousled, honey-blonde locks with caramel-colored tan; beach babe fresh from the sandy dunes.
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At eighteen, Esti Ginzburg traded her Missoni bikinis, Fendi flats, and Givenchy bags for her Israeli military uniform. Despite the fact Sports Illustrated has featured her three times in its swimsuit issue, and Joel Schumacher chose her for his recent film Twelve, this budding model-actress has pulled on the reins of her career to serve her country for the past two years.
After begging her mother to audition for a modeling agency, she signed on with Elite when she was fifteen, and, since then, has modeled for companies ranging from French Connection to Tommy Hilfiger. When Sports Illustrated spotted her sporty-sexy look, her big break came in her bikini, which she spends a lot of time in at home in Tel Aviv.
For Israeli men and women, the military service is mandatory, and Esti doesn’t think it’s cool to try to get out of it. Not wanting to let her military uniform eclipse her personal style, she accessorizes it with Israeli jewelry. Occasional modeling breaks from her role of army recruiting have kept her face familiar to fashion magazines.
Now 21 and about to hand back her uniform to the Israeli government, she’s looking forward to returning to modeling, and pursuing an acting career. She’s also not out-ruling the idea of launching an Israeli-based clothing line that might produce super-soft, pima cotton tanks and tees perfect after a hard day’s work in front of the camera.
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In her time off from modeling, her heart has remained in fashion, and she certainly hasn’t lost her nonchalance behind the camera. She says she gets her style from her American mother from New York, and her interest in Israeli designers from her native father.
She used to be an habitué in Tel Aviv’s night-life, and she’s rarely disappointed by the city’s evening vibe. But, these days, she likes to hang out at home with her fiancé, real-estate businessman Adi Keizman, and chill out in front of movies with her two Labrador puppies.
She’s fluent in Hebrew and English, and could easily be mistaken for an American from her accent. But her ties with Israel are rock solid – at the barracks and the beach.
In public what do you wear
“Always something simple but it depends on my mood.”
In private what do you wear
“The minute I’m home I change into my Butter sweatpants and a worn-out t-shirt.”
Shoes and Bags
Christian Louboutin, MiuMiu, and Dolce & Gabbana.
Fashion Icons
Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe, The Olsen Sisters.
Never Without
Her leather jacket, a great pair of sandals, jeans, and a soft, comfortable top.
Never wears
The color red. Doesn’t have the courage to put it on.
Style Advice
“Always try to dress down. Better to look simpler and cleaner than overdressed. Shoes and bags make an outfit.”
In her beach bag
A blanket, water, sunscreen, book, magazine and music. Missoni swimsuits — more for the pool than the beach.
Beauty Tip
To sleep a lot, drink tons of water, and use toothpaste on pimples.
Health Tip
Drinks half a lemon every morning before a cup of coffee to cleanse body. Drinks hot water and parsley for a stomachache.
Make-up Must
Lip balm. “I don’t have patience for putting make-up on.”
Favorite Websites
Style.com, Vogue, StyledOn, Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman.
Jewelry
Israeli-company Miller asked her to wear their jewelry and promote it. “Every week, I go to their store and borrow a couple things – so I never get sick of my jewelry.”
Hair
If her hair is falling out, she drinks hot water with rosemary. Never washes her hair every day but every 2-3 days. Her highlights come from lemons and the sun.
Won’t Travel Without
Computer, Ipod, earphones, and a scarf to keep her neck warm and double as a pillow.
Volunteer Work
Active with Atid L’Chaim, an organization that helps children with cancer. “It gives me happiness to make other people happy.”
Secret to Success
“Always be with people you really love, who keep you grounded, always tell you the truth and not hurt you in any way.”
First thing she does when back home
Cooks, bakes, goes to the beach, hangs out at home, sees friends, watches movies. “My house is my fort.”
Hidden Talent
Learned how to shoot a gun in the army.
Her style icon
Audrey Hepburn.
Favorite Designers
Missoni, Rick Owens, Dolce Gabbana and Balmain.
Favorite music
Indie and Alternative: Broken Bells, Arcade Fire, Rihanna, Devendra Banhart.
Favorite Food
“I love all carbs.”
Favorite Drink
Water, tea, Campari with oranges, and red wine.
Favorite Film
All Marilyn Monroe films.
Favorite TV Series
Breaking Bread and Mad Men.
Reading now
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Motto
“Beauty is a matter of self-confidence.”
Good habits
Wakes up early and goes to sleep early.
Bad habits
Baking.
Adores
Her two dogs, Jay and Z, named after the rapper.
Hates
Liars and people that cut you off in the street.
When she wakes up….
Drinks coffee.
Before going to sleep….
Drinks tea.
ADDRESS BOOK
Favorite Restaurants
Toto and Raphael in Tel Aviv.
Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem.
Favorite Coffee Shops
“My house.”
Favorite Clubs
Gossip and Otto in Tel Aviv.
Galleries
Alon Segev Gallery and Rosenfeld Galery in Tel Aviv.
Favorite Bar
Shafa Bar in Old Jaffa on Rabi Nahman, 2.
Bookshop
Steimatzky.
Resorts
Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico.
Furnishings
Arik Ben Simhon
Kastiel.
Video intervew and text Sheila Ortona
Filmed and edited by Marco Morona
Curated by Beniamino Marini
Special thanks Hotel Varsano, Tel Aviv.
Portrait www.paologaletto.com
