On September 9, NeueHouse hosted a conversation between artist Nir Hod and fashion designer Yigal Azrouël. Perfectly timed to both New York Fashion Week and the opening of Hod’s show “Once Everything Was Much Better Even The Future” at Paul Kasmin Gallery, the pair discussed art, fashion, the human form, and their artistic practices, in front of an audience of creative influencers.

Both men were born in Israel, and they are fans of one another’s work.

Though Hod works in a variety of mediums, including video and sculpture, he is widely known for his realist paintings that depict a preoccupation with beauty, glamour, and death. Speaking about his own work, the artist explained, “I like to deal a lot with beauty and destruction—it’s about conflict….I like to see myself as a storyteller and as an image-maker at the same time.”

Azrouel, despite never having received formal training in fashion design, is recognized in the fashion community for his expertise with draping techniques, as well as for his feminine aesthetic and wearable garments. “I’m always experimenting and trying to evolve things…but I think things more on the quiet side, and more effortless and minimal,” the designer said.

Despite working in separate mediums, Hod and Azrouël agreed that the freedom to be constantly evolving is one of the pleasures of working in a creative field. “Being an artist, being a fashion designer…you can always play, and you have this privilege to play. It’s beautiful,” said Hod.