Israeli Swimwear Designer Odelia Ozel Gains Fame Among Celebrities and Expands Brand
Odelia Ozel, a 50-year-old Israeli swimwear designer, experienced a major breakthrough eight years ago when model Oria Azran commissioned her for a custom swimwear collection for a trip to Thailand. Azran’s social media post tagging Ozel sparked a surge of orders, launching Ozel’s brand into the spotlight. Today, her eponymous label is popular among Israeli celebrities such as Einav Bublil, Natali Dadon, Mor Silver, Romi Gior, and Frida Uziel, with swimwear prices ranging from 800 to 1,400 shekels per piece.
Born in Bat Yam and raised in Be’er Yaakov, Ozel comes from a family with a tailoring background. Her father owned a large men’s garment factory, but after its closure, she initially pursued a 20-year career as a sales manager at Coca-Cola. At age 36, she decided to follow her passion for swimwear design, starting small by collaborating with local seamstresses and promoting her designs on Instagram without paid advertising. Her brand grew steadily, fueled by her unique style and quality.
Ozel’s personal life included two marriages and four children. Despite challenges, including a difficult second relationship, she balanced family and business, working nights designing swimwear while maintaining her day job until she fully committed to her brand at age 42. She credits her success to her distinct designs, including innovative pieces made from denim, crochet, leather, and embellished with crystals.
Her close relationship with celebrities like Oria Azran has helped shape her collections, which are known for their fashion-forward and high-quality appeal. Ozel manufactures primarily in Italy and Turkey and sources fabrics from major European fashion hubs. She maintains a flagship store in Neve Tzedek and a thriving online shop, attracting customers both in Israel and abroad.
Looking ahead, Ozel hopes to attract international investors to expand globally but remains committed to her local business, working long hours and enjoying the creative and commercial success she has built from scratch.
