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!

wedding in las vegas, part 3

Sssssshhhhh! Quiet please! The wedding is going on as I type... watch as I lead in the bride to meet the groom!

Hey, we just witnessed a perfect wedding in every way... now, let's go party! In Vegas, baby!
Photography by Carl Posey.

Follow the full story from when I started designing the wedding gown all the way to this current post: The ceremony! And don't forget to check back for the visuals of the incredible after party in Vegas, coming soon!

Wedding in Las Vegas, Part 1
Wedding in Las Vegas, Part 2
Wedding in Las Vegas, Intermission

wedding in las vegas, intermission

We're not quiet ready for the wedding and the party has not started, but here are a few images documenting what went on in between photo shoots, wedding rehearsals and party planning. The Intermission:

Got to have cigarette breaks during production, yes.

Make sure you are in the moment and enjoy it!

Something you shouldn't take lightly while spending time in the entertainment capital of the world, is your wardrobe. Come on, you didn't think you could get away with sporting your same old jeans, did you?! Here - in Las Vegas - you ought to push it a little, you know? Go for a different color or add some shine. A hat? Why not?! You live only once and you are currently in Vegas! So stand out a little for crying out loud and go roll that dice!



The sad part about partying too much (is there a bad part?) is that you don't get much of a chance to enjoy your immensely fabulous living quarters... I suggest you do chill at times and just look around you...

And finally, when all the lights and nights get to overwhelming and you're kinda lost (hopefully you didn't loose all your money!), go take a walk - away from the Strip - and breath some fresh air!

...carl posey, photo by idilvice, all other photographs by carl posey
all clothing and accessories designed by idilvice...

That is Vegas too!

In case you missed Wedding in Las Vegas, Part 1 and Part 2.

wedding in las vegas, part 2

You know it's gonna get freaky in Vegas, but first: Tha taaah! The Wedding Dress!

...all photographs courtesy of carl posey...

You saw me making this couture gown a couple of posts ago... it's made with sheer embroidered silk organza, which has been hand embroidered with different sized square and round sequin mirrors at the chest, straps, bottom and train. It is lined with a few layers of silk taffeta and silk satin.

The dress comes with a 2-ways-to-wear head scarf/cape, wich is made from silk organza and is also hand embroidered with large square and round mirrors. This wedding set also includes a pair of silk organza fingerless gloves and a mirror embroidered clutch! Again, please comment, comment, comment!



Although we stayed in the fabulous Bellagio Hotel, these images were created by photographer Carl Posey in the stunningly beautiful lobby hall of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

So, it's about time to get married!! The saga continues in one of the very next posts, where I will reveal the wedding photos taken in the Presidential Suite! Stay tuned!
In case you missed it: Wedding in Las Vegas, Part 1.

wedding in las vegas, part 1

Just so you know: What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. Never ha, ha! Of course not, because people talk, people take pictures and before you know it, the whole wide world knows what you did in that town!

But whatever. You are in for a treat! Let me explain. Most people dream of a wedding in Vegas. Some people are lucky enough to get married in Vegas and some just get to go along! Yessssha! - I was a chosen one! It sounds like cookies and cream to you, but it was not that easy. I took an assignment.

I was to design and tailor a wedding dress for the bride and the outfit for the groom. I got paid. And I was going to soon go on a really nice ride, but first, I had to do some work!

So what were Mimi's dreams of the dress for that most special day in her life? I flew to Switzerland for a meeting to try and find out. I showed her some ideas and we brainstormed around a bit. The same ritual, except shorter and much more focused went on with the groom, Greg. He pretty much knew what he wanted: something cool, with special details, tailored but easy, maybe with a hat. He mentioned that he wanted to wear his sneakers. O.K.!?

The next step here would be the drawing table and it was. Many sketches later I snatched the O.K. to go ahead. Sourcing the actual material from an idea (mirrored sequence?! White on white embroidered silk?!) can be tricky but in NYC's Garment District you can find pretty much anything. And so I did!

Before I go further, I would like to ask this question: Why is one of the most important parts of fashion, it's process needed to exist and come to life, its production so invisible? Who do you think makes these outrageous looking Haute Couture creations??! The good Samaritans? A Magician? No, you can't just shove all the ingredients into an oven and expect them to come out done... they have to be assembled. Meticulously, patiently, stitch by stitch, with a lot of sweat and sometimes even injuries, like small cuts and strains, etc. but let's not go there!

Let's for once, very unglamorously put a spotlight on how these garments and yes, even pretty wedding gowns are made:


My Bernina Artista sewing machine helps!

...all photos by Carl Posey...

O.K. so let this marinate for a while and soon, in one of the very next posts, I will reveal the finished product! And guess what? You are going to go on for the ride with me: A Wedding In Las Vegas! Stay put!