‘I'm fascinated by poetic multi-layeredness'

After cutting short his studies in the history of art in Jerusalem, Dan Gonen took sowing lessons. Then he heard about the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, from which he graduated in 2004 with life-size illustrations made using fabrics and ten outfits that were hung from the ceiling on threads. His dresses and sweaters feature prints of doors, roses and an open book - with a red bookmarker.

Gonen (b. 1978) designs his prints himself. ‘Printing on textiles is the most natural way for me to express myself. It is like a blank canvas that you can fill with whatever you want. You can tell a story with it.' Gonen often adds something three-dimensional to his designs, such as that bookmarker, bringing the print into the real world. Gonen regards clothing as art.

This Israeli designer won the Grand Prize at the 2005/2006 edition of the Lancôme Colour Design Awards in Paris with four poetic but highly wearable designs.