black

Black. Yes, black. As a nail polish to be exact. While this is not one of those commercial shopping blogs which points out new things to buy daily, it may seam odd that I show you girls this item here... but just keep reading my posts and you will soon see that this leads up to something.... it's the start of something, you will see...


So, in case you are unaware: it is time to store the day glow colors and shimmering glosses and trade them in for this: Black matte (flatte) nail polish.


From Knock Out Cosmetics, the creation of celebrity makeup artist Mike Potter. Flatte black nail polish. Starts flatte, wears into satin.


You can get a head-turning long-lasting, no-shine look by painting on just one coat of polish. Once dry, if you prefer, buff to a luscious satin. Do not use a top coat. You'll lose the whole flatte effect if you do. This polish is such a refreshing departure from the high-gloss look you've grown up with; it's soft quiet, subtle and oh so stylish.

fashion rocks catalog 2009

It should have been done by the end of 2008 but I am glad to announce that our catalog is finished!! Just came hot off the press and it frankly smells like it: Fresh. Thumbing through it makes me happy. All the work that went into it seams worth it.

That colorful accumulation of pictures will be sent out to wholesale customers as well as anyone who is interested in having it.

Here is an exclusive preview...

shoebamania

Hey, I just designed this shoe...



...made from my pictures taken during the day of the election November 4th, 2008 and you can be sure: more will follow! Especially the ones matching all of the Fashion Rocks clothing pieces... exciting isn't it?

copyright idil vice fashion rocks, 2009.

obamania

While the country/world finds itself in disarray and in a huge financial downturn, I thought it would be nice to remind everybody that in less than 2 weeks, on January 20th, Barack Obama will finally be sworn in as the new president of the United States.



My Ron English art piece (Abraham Obama) is finally framed and posted up on the wall in my office and I am impatiently awaiting this sticker pack to go on sale again:




A truly astonishing amount of art has been created since Obama has started to conquer more and more hearts and votes and then a decisive win. Someone even created a new alphabet in order to spell change. There are times when I feel I have an Obama overdose, but there is no way that one can ignore what is happening and so I wanted to take this opportunity to show you some of the art created and uploaded to a website that my hubs discovered... have fun!



Amazing! Which one is your favorite?

incentives? interviews.

So yes, I am sure I am not the only one in this situation of having to come up with ways to put a new spin on the business. Besides other things, I am working towards making my products more affordable.

The first things NOT to do is becoming cheap on the materials or loose the nice packaging, or - heck no! - start to deliver staggering quality. NO!!

I get irritated when I hear how companies try to swindle a couple of cents on their customers by sneaking smaller packaging with less content for the same old price or put padding between meat patties to make it look like there is more...

I am trying to do something that may also help the very dry job market and by the responses to my ads for seamstresses, I can say for sure that there is a lot of demand for jobs right now. You may say: "But if there is no business why add jobs?" By adding more work force, I produce more in less time and the cost goes down. Plus, if well done, I have more time to invest into equally important and sales driving strategies such as ideas for marketing etc.

You read this, are an exceptional seamstress and looking for a job? Apply for an interview now!

It's just great to be able to pick and choose the absolute best person for the task. Employees are in addition more careful of how they work and don't allow themselves to be late or otherwise inefficient. That all will result in lower prices of Idil Vice clothing.

I am going to have a few interviews in the next few days... we'll see how it goes!

ebay home page

What??** !??
On sites like Etsy, whilest you can purchase spots to be featured on a page advertised on their home page, you cannot pay to be ON the home page, nor can you easily or cheaply pay your way for a guaranteed spot onto Ebay's opening screen - needless to say - but recently I have been, or rather my Fashion Rocks collection has been featured on exactly that Ebay home page...

Albert Einstein Skirt, Superman Skirt, Madonna Skirt and Marilyn Monroe Tunic Dress on Ebay's home page.

To my bedazzling, this has happened a staggering 4-5 times within the past 2 weeks... and only counting the times I actually saw it myself by chance.... what in the world is going on?? It is not enough that there is a picture or 2 showing but no, 4 pictures at once at times!! I hope it does not mean I am the only one left listing on Ebay...

Superman Skirt, Albert Einstein Skirt and Roy Orbison Skirt on Ebay's home page.

Banana Warhol Velvet Underground Strapless Dress on Ebay's home page.

One thing is for sure, IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS! Thanks Ebay!

three tenors

I know, tomorrow we all go back to our regular schedule and there will be no more automated responses to my emails and my posts are more or less about fashion again. Enough already with the booze, cookies and turkey feasts! Christmas is like Halloween: not my favorite part of the year, holidays in general are a bit of a drag.... I used to like them when I was a child, because they seamed exiting and we did not have to go to school for once, but when you are an adult, holidays are pressure to have a good time, even when you don't feel like it. That is why, if you don't get a chance to be together with family, it is the best time of the year to get away, really, it's cold and frisky and besides some great seasonal features such as unique window displays around town and some indeed lavish house parties, you won't miss a thing... or maybe you still do??

Well, one thing, which caught me by complete surprise and thankfully before I left, I would not have wanted to miss is this unique transmission on PBS:

The Tree Tenors, Konzerthaus Vienna, 1999, Holiday Favorites.

Before I start gasping and lashing out on the details, let me tell you: I am by no means a classical music fan, but when a huge orchestra (Vienna Symphony) is joined by the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children's Choir and led by 3 incredible Tenors - the very best frankly - are on the menu, I have to give in.

Placido Domingo. Jose Carrera. Luciano Pavarotti. Pavarotti being my favorite of the three in terms of character and Placido Domingo the most sympathetic. Pavarotti is huge - a bear I suppose - and his voice shatters everybody and everything. Not having heard him means not having lived. I just adore him!!! Sadly, if you have never heard him live, it's too late as he has already departed this earth and mother earth has lost her voice.



It was just an abundant joy to see and hear the 3, softly giving respect to one and another where it was due. It seamed that especially Mr. Carrera was a big admirer of Pavarotti's as whenever it was Luciano's turn and his voice hit the walls and ears, he could not help but look over to him and - only he nows what he was thinking - but there was a look on his face that spoke a kind of disbelieve of what he heard. It's true, Pavarotti's tone is unearthly, an angel's voice.



Hearing them go through not only American X-mas carols but also many of the ones we used to sing, accompanied by my Grandmother "Omi" on the piano back in Switzerland, such as "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" and "Oh Tannenbaum", was - what can I say - pretty unique! I was moved to tears.



The harmonies were what ultimately killed me, as well as the nostalgia that came with everything... I turned the volume up to as high as it could go with out ruining the speakers. I did not care about any neighbors! I was just happy I did not miss this. A good way to end the year and to start a new one. In that spirit they sang "Happy X-mas! War Is Over If You Want It." written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. So true. So true.



A standing ovation followed - truly, truly deserved.