What do you see in an empty paper towel tube or a stack of leftover matzah? Trash? For Debra Rapoport - renowned textile artist and fashion icon - they’re the raw materials for hats, epaulets, and other unforgettable creations.
Since the 1960s, Rapoport has been turning found objects into wearable art. At 80, she’s still at it, making bold accessories that blend personal expression with environmental consciousness. Her work proves that recycling can be both stylish and subversive, and that fashion has no age limit.
As she enters her ninth decade, Debra’s energy and creativity continue to inspire. “I was constantly hearing from 25-year-olds thinking that they were getting old and they were worried about that,” she says. “They saw all of us . . . they said, wow, ok, I don’t have anything to worry about. I have all that to look forward to when I’m 80.”