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June 11, 2004/Sivan 22 5764, Vol. 56, No. 38
New store promotes Israeli designers
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
Of all the Valley residents who lend their support to Israel, few do it with as much style as Michele Czopp.
Czopp's new store Michka, a tiny, elegant shop in North Scottsdale, features the latest and greatest women's fashions from Israeli designers.
"It's a way of helping Israel," Czopp explains. "In my own little way, I'm supporting the country."
Supporting Israel is a priority for Czopp, who was born and raised there before moving to the United States in 1989. In Israel, her family was the manufacturer of Pilpel swimwear, an internationally known brand. When Czopp moved to the United States, she took over American distribution of the brand.
The idea for Michka was born from the compliments Czopp received every time she wore Israeli clothing around town.
"I would always travel to Israel and bring back clothes and people always commented on whatever I was wearing," she recalls.
The store, which opened May 15, offers fashion-forward clothing and jewelry from designers such as Sigal Dekel, Hagit Tessa, Sigal Rodin, Anna and Adi Jacobson, Ella Gonen and more. Not familiar with some of the names? Then they're exactly the designers Czopp wants to carry.
"I try to keep it kind of exclusive," Czopp says. "None of this merchandise is Arizona. Why would you come to me? Because I'm unique."
New merchandise arrives at Michka approximately every two weeks, and while you'll pay boutique prices - $60 buys you a T-shirt, while dresses can run more than $300 - Czopp says her customers are willing to pay for a superior product.
"They really appreciate the quality and the design," she notes. The target audience is women in their 20s and beyond - even a stylish, in-shape woman in her 70s can find something she likes at Michka, Czopp says.
In the future, Czopp plans for Michka to expand into footwear and bags and to encompass more Israeli and a few European designers.
"I'm definitely open to anything creative and unique," she says. "I want to be unique and promote new designers." New also for the fall will be Michka the swimwear line, a stylish missy contemporary swim-wear label designed by Czopp which will debut at the Swimwear Association of Florida show in Miami in July.
Michka is located at 15757 N. 78th St., Suite 101, Scottsdale. Hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with weekend hours by appointment. Call 480-607-0032.
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