Meet Chana Rachel
Hi. I am Chana Rachel Gaffin (Weinberg).
I am a graduate of Shenkar College of Engineering and Design.
In Shenkar, I have developed many new skills in fashion design, prints, illustration, and sewing. The highlight of my fashion degree is my Reflective Nature Swimwear Collection. The collection is inspired by the memories of my early childhood in Lancaster, PA, feeding the ducks and watching their reflections in the water. Birds, water and art have always been close to my heart, and the materials for this collection were all painted by hand and developed into prints inspired by these motifs.
Born in Lancaster PA, I moved to Israel with my family at age three, re-locating to a strongly Anglo-Saxon community. I spent my teenage years lifeguarding, teaching art in summer camps, and taking sewing courses. At age fifteen, the seed was planted for my future career in fashion design, when I decided to invest in two sewing machines. I began to ravenously design, sew, and re-create endless fashion items. I discovered this was my true passion, and chose fashion design as my career. In 2011, I began my fashion studies at the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design.
During my later years in Shenkar I started growing in my Yiddishkeit (Judaism) and realized that although I loved running I could no longer wear my colorful revealing sportswear. I decided that if I could not find modest beautiful activewear I will create it myself.
The brand started with an elegant running dress and then evolved into skirt with built in leggings to stop the layers from jumping up and down.
Slowly we started offering different lengths and styles suitable for sports and swim and women of different religious backgrounds.
In Chanabana we celebrate color and incorporate elements from the iridescent fish of The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which is where the inspiration for the brand was born.
My job experience has taken me to several different places: Australia, New Zealand, Las Vegas and London, where I had an opportunity to intern with the amazing Mary Katranzou.
I have full faith that when women feel beautiful in their skin and respect their values they can stay fueled to live their best life.
I’m looking forward to what lies ahead of us.
For inquiries and collaborations feel free to contact chana@chanabana.com
