Designer Batsheva Hay Interview

Lawyer-turned-designer Batsheva Hay has established a sartorial style that can best be described as Laura Ashley meets shtetl chic. Hay began designing dresses from vintage fabric in 2016 and now purveys a melange of tops, bottoms and intricately designed one-offs that embody a modest-yet-daring sensibility. From animal print designs to layers of gold lamé, her puffy-sleeved high-neck frocks have become instantly recognizable as “a Batsheva dress.” Hay renders garments in respect to Jewish laws of modesty, but peppers them with a sprinkle of aesthetic rebellion wearable for all women—regardless of religious affiliation. Her go-with-your-gut attitude, willingness to examine authority, and eye for wearable designs are just a few things that make Batsheva Hay so damn Dandy.

We're experiencing unprecedented times. How have you spent the day? Have you left NYC?

We are upstate. We mostly cook and clean and do online school with my kids.

The silver linings you've found so far:

I rediscovered crocheting. I am spending more time with the kids. I am also just amazed with the kindness in humanity-— medical workers on the front lines martyring themselves.

Five beauty products you always use:

Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion, Regime des Fleurs Une Rose perfume, Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant, and that's it.

You took the blueprint of modern orthodox female attire and transformed it into something entirely your own. Have you taken that approach of “Batsheva-ing” to other aspects of Modern Orthodox life?

Thanks so much. I Batsheva everything. My challah bread is kind of funky too. It's just a denser, oddly shaped little loaf.

What you miss - if anything - about being a lawyer:

Steady income :)

Your favorite album:

Joni Mitchell's “Blue.”

How your perception of the female body has evolved over time:

I used to be so critical of myself and now I realize what bullshit that was.

When you converted to Orthodox Judaism, what was the reaction from close friends and family?

Most were supportive but secretly (and some not so secretly) concerned.

In a past life, you were probably

Maybe a lace-maker.

The inspiration for the most recent Batsheva item you've created:

House dresses of the women from the shtetl.

Your favorite Yiddish expressions:

Always oy vey!

We all face turbulent years. When was that stand out year for you and what did you learn from it:

This year is shaping up to be quite a doozy...

Currently reading/watching:

Disney movies with my kids. And I just started Tiger King.

You never thought you would:

Be living in the woods. I am such a city creature.

Something that unreasonably annoys you:

Teeth grinding. My daughter does it in her sleep.

Your favorite Upper West Side spots:

The Natural History Museum and Riverside Park Elephant Park.

What you ate for breakfast today:

Coffee with milk, Adora calcium chocolate disk thing.

Share 3 of your favorite Batsheva designs:

I love them all. Probably whatever didn't sell, that is usually what I like best.

The fanciest or most memorable hotel you've stayed at:

I love The Greenwich Hotel .

How you unwind in times of high anxiety AKA now:

I crochet.

Your vices:

Ice cream and chocolate and good cheese-- any dairy.

Batsheva Hay