even a fashion designer has got to eat

I have always been a gourmet really. It is easy for me to whip up even the most elaborate meals and I find pleasure in it. So it is not rare that I pop in a pizza or even bake a cake in between making clothes... cooking takes my mind off it all and clears my brain cells. I love it and if I were not in fashion, I might follow into the footsteps of Martha Stewart - believe it or not - I am already growing my own veggies ;) How hard can it be?



But, no worries, there is much left for me to do in the fields of fashion and it is my first big love. But let's get back to my dinner last night: Hawaiian pizza!

Love all those sweet and spicy flavors mixed together! Usually I prefer my own dough, but it's time consuming (who has time for that?) and they have these convenient pre-made one's at my Traders Joe on 14th Street. It is not as good as my own, but almost as good and they have whole wheat too.

So, I am just going to post the pics and you can figure out the recipe. Questions? Just let me know...



... and with a mixed salad this dinner rocks!

lady gaga the new liberace?

To be honest with you I never thought about it, but when I heard that the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas is closing next month and the reasons given for it's demise, among others, were general loss of interest and the fact that Vegas has to keep up with the 21 year olds, comparisons were made to Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga is the new Liberace! Well, sort of I think. There are many similarities. The piano, the showmanship... they both know how to go to extremes and they love to shock, each within his/her generation. So it's only natural that when we are looking towards our own Liberace (Lady Gaga), the original one is slowly forgotten...

...Liberace and his Emmy's...

I remember the Liberace Museum in Vegas, it was one of my very first encounters with American Pop Culture. I surely was impressed by all the glitz and glamour and all at once it was clear to me that here in America, one can go this far, his/her own way and I thought that was simply amazing. Talk about inspiration! There it was right there.

Not only did Liberace have rhinestones on his wardrobe, he had cars covered with it!

For me Liberace has therefore a special place in my heart and nobody can take his place. The idea that Lady Gaga is the new Liberace is exiting, as she is showing new generations what is possible and continues the history of pop culture!

in new york city

In New York City one has plenty of opportunity to wonder where people are coming from, yeah right, most of them are of course just tourists wandering around the stores on Broadway taking advantage of the weak currency of that Dollar nowadays, well great, we can surely use that kind of influx here in the Big Apple. And NY is the biggest melting pot of cultures.

But I am talking about another stranger here. It's the souls you meet that seem like they are not part of the big movement, even though they are probably your neighbors, maybe have been living here longer than you, yet they are somehow left behind, at least that is what they seem to be, maybe they are just ahead of the rest. But these characters whom you encounter once in a while are standing out of the crowd because they are not like everybody else, there are plenty of them, thanks goodness!


The other day we were taking a bike ride in Battery Park, taking a few breaths of fresh air on a bench, discussing the days developments and this young woman in a red rose printed dress walks by - and made us smile - carrying a sign that read: "Stress Stops Here". She's just spreading a good vibe she says... reminding the people to take a deep breath and relax.

How cool is that? Heh? Only in NYC? Maybe not, but definitely in NYC.

...so stress stopped right here...

being a step ahead by taking a step back

For a fashion designer it is already 2011. Yes it can be weird to work on designs to be worn in a year from now. You're always hushed to the next thing before you can really enjoy that moment. As an independent I can control the design schedule a bit more, but let's be honest, you've got to think ahead and sometimes that means to just really be in the now. Because people who do not worry about fashion (they could be your customer), they have to catch up first.



As much as it is shameful to be catching up on an ongoing trend, it can be frustrating to be ahead all the time. And sometimes I just wanna make a piece of clothing for right now! That could mean I've got to take a step back. "What is she talking about? It's confusing!" you may say. So let me show you a situation like this on an example.

I am rediscovering a print from 2 years ago. It feels right to me now.

It just happened yesterday when I was on my usual sneak peek tour through the garment district. Those of you who have been following some of my work, know about the cool Sunglasses photo printed fabric. Well, when I chose it for a dress 2 years ago, there was another print from the same manufacturer, the Sandals photo print. I preferred the Sunglasses one over the Sandals one then and never looked back, but on my stroll yesterday this print looked like now to me, I wanted to make something with it to wear this Summer 2010. And that is what I mean when I say: "Sometimes I have to take a step back to be ahead", which could be what I am feeling right now.

It's intuition I believe. Anyway, now that I have picked the fabric, I've got to get inspired to come up with the type of garment it is going to be and that - you bet - is a whole another story! It may inspire you or you may have a suggestion... please feel free to comment on it :)

in work mode flirting with holidays

It's so close to the holidays now and many of my colleagues and friends have already departed and if they aren't getting ready to board a plane they'll hit the road to go to where they're spending those last days of the year - kinda glad this one's over, aren't you? Not me though, I mean, I am not hitting the road just yet, I am still in work mode, editing photos from our late night shoots in the studio and the Meat Packing District (I told you about the discovery of all the murals there).

monique wears an idilvicefashionrocks madonna skirt $75, ralph lauren tuxedo blazer $650, helmut lang v-neck tee $80, repetto sandals $335 and rick owens leggings $495, hat & jewelry stylist's own. photo by carl posey.

I am in love with this photo, without exaggeration. It really makes me feel like I did my part to close this season in a fine way! I feel fulfilled, ready to stretch out and indulge in some time off, soon anyway. Like I usually do. What might be on my plate this time around?



A holiday in far and away Thailand?

...idilvice in bankok, thailand, dressed in vintage...

Maybe even a trip to the beautiful, historic Catalonian city Barcelona? No wait - How about ancient Egypt? Cairo!

...idilvice in cairo, egypt, dressed in vintage...

Well, I won't give it away...

...idilvice in barcelona, spain, dressed in vintage...

...but I am flirting with holidays!

ready to wear

It's always a nice feeling of accomplishment when the last touch is put on a garment. Finished! Ready to wear.


Now of course as long as this jacket is not sold and in my possession you can't keep me from adding something else. I was thinking to add this patch to the front... the order is placed, it just has to get here...



Don't you think it would give it the seal of approval of the hippies ? Of course it already has a hippie vibe without it (the colors, the texture of the woven fabric, the patch working, top stitching, the classic jacket pattern, etc.), but considering that the print depicts Madonna, some may be confused and hesitant to label it hippie.

I was very fortunate to find those sequin lined brass buttons! They really make the coat. Sometimes a garment does not come together until that last crucial detail is added. Read the beginning of how I got inspired to go ahead and make this jacket.

The creative process to get to something great in fashion is a constant tip toeing around in the unknown and uncertain. You've got to become open minded, self conscious and bold, make decisions, know when it's time to stop and when and where to make the cut. You bet, this can all go wrong, but when it's right, then there's that deserved feeling of accomplishment, which is so neat!

just another day in new york

Just another inspiring day in New York, that is. Yeap I'm back from Vegas in New York... but what happened to the beautiful weather when I left? Today the city reminds me of the cloudy, rainy days of Switzerland... wewh! Whatever. I am trying not to look out the window today and just go have fun making some new things then....

...sometimes ny looks like this...

As I now descend onto my colorful table of contents - literally - my mood gets an instant lift! I love the way fashion inspires, frankly just the color of a garment or the texture of a jacquard can change ones perception. That's how powerful fashion is.

I always thought that through dressing one best expresses him/herself, because of fashions power to inspire and it's ability to transcend moods and perception. You can basically be whoever you want!

It's kind of tough though too, just due to the fact that you can't escape it! Even if you dress like you don't care, this will transcend into how you are perceived. So basically you have to think about it. You have a choice to dress to impress or dress to express.

Oh, and see, I forgot all about the weather! By now the sun is peaking through the clouds : ) So be mindful of how you dress and enjoy this day!

celebrating madonna

The Meat Packing District in New York City is known for many things since it's not simply known for what its name suggests anymore. High fashion, yes and good food, contemporary hotel accommodation, lavish parties, exclusive clubs as well as fast cars, etc. and it is always a distinct pleasure to watch the stiletto strapped fashion models make their crooked way over the original cobblestone pavement! Yes, I've spent many nights in this neighborhood and I have discovered something else besides all this.

I always find the most compelling wall art here... murals, tags, advertising... Usually they don't last very long and if you like something, you better snap a picture right then and there, because it may be gone tomorrow and if it's still on that same exact corner you think you spotted it that last night, it will most likely be destroyed, tagged over beyond recognition... ooohhh! Ahh! That is right and guess what: I LOVE IT! I love that these spots are there for a minute, an hour perhaps and then they are gone forever! Hah!

The photo that graced my last promo postcard was taken in front of Meatpacking wall art. And so where a few other images...

... idilvice in front of wall art in the meatpacking district, nyc, photos/digital art carl posey...

These artworks have always inspired me and when Carl recently brought home the photo of this Madonna wall art/advertising (It was used to spotlight her new album "Celebration", although the portrait is obviously from the 80's and taken by photographer Herb Ritts), I nearly fainted! Wowwah!


The shock came because I currently work on some new designs for the Fashion Rocks Collection and this Madonna print makes me a bit crazy... in a very good way if you know what I mean...



Well, sorry for this "Madonna-same-photo" overdose, but I just couldn't decide so quickly which ones to post and so I posted them all. They rock! Yes, so I work with these prints and I can't wait to show off some of what I can come up with! Since - as I said - these walls exist only temporarily, we went back there one night and had a little fun with some models in front of the Madonna mural.... these images will be posted shortly, so if Madonna makes you a little bit crazy too, YOU gotta come back here soon!

of wicked witches and live serpents

Waiting for the wedding pictures? In case you do: Relax, they're next! Just a tad of wickedy patience please, while Halloween is mercilessly knocking on our doors today!

All this month I was spellbound by this really charmed, effort full, über-creative October issue: Martha Stewart Living. The Magic of Fall.


I am already a fan - and a subscriber - but I am now officially haunted. These meticulous, beautiful, into the tiniest detail mischief-ish decorated glossies tell a story of a wicked good time!



Where you also wondering what happened to the November issue (Thanksgiving) of "Living"? It's recipes are unfinished and lack the usual inventive nature you come to expect. I think Martha spent all the money on this October issue, that is why. Scary? But I much rather have one heck of a toxic good issue instead of two poisonous lame ones. Well done Martha!



Make more faces! Happy Halloween mere mortals!