Tamara Efrat
Senior Lecturer, Department of Fashion Design
School of Design
Field of Research:
Fashion Design, Craft and Technology
Ancient Embroidery, Algorithms, and Innovation
“The ancient craft of sewing is a key technique in many industries, shaping not just materials but entire structures. The goal of this project is not to replace the craft with new technology, but to use technology as a way to amplify, preserve, and help it evolve.”
– Tamara Efrat
The Project
We are working to expand the creative and technological capabilities of the Fashion Design Department at the University of Haifa – already the most technologically advanced program in Israel.
In light of the rapidly changing world, designers must not only master their craft but also understand and engage with emerging technologies and materials shaping the future of design.
To meet this challenge, we are developing an interdisciplinary design lab that will:
- Blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation, bridging heritage and the future.
- Equip graduates to lead and redefine the global design industry.
- Position the Department as one of the world’s most progressive and future-focused fashion design programs.
Fundraising Goals
Philanthropic support will extend the reach of craft and design into new frontiers. Your investment will help:
Strengthen, preserve, and evolve traditional crafts through new design methods and creative technologies.
Provide advanced design tools with applications in fashion to architecture, nanotechnology, and biomedical design.
Meet Tamara Efrat
I am a multidisciplinary designer, researcher, and senior lecturer at the Department of Fashion Design at the University of Haifa. My work explores the intersection between traditional craft and emerging technologies, with a focus on how these dialogues can open new pathways in design, sustainability, and material innovation.
My projects have been exhibited internationally in museums and galleries, and I’ve participated in leading residencies and fellowships, including at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Weizmann Institute of Science, where I initiated collaborations that connect artistic practice with scientific research.
Alongside my academic and studio practice, I consult for startups and companies, particularly in the fields of wearable technologies and smart textiles. My current research focuses on reviving ancient craft techniques and reinterpreting them through technologies such as 3D printing, algorithmic design, and bio-based material development. For me, preserving the craft process is essential for maintaining the cultural and social values it carries, such as intergenerational knowledge-sharing, community, and visual language preservation.
By bridging historical techniques with contemporary innovation, I offer new perspectives on sustainability, material intelligence, and cultural heritage.
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