how to dress like a rock star?

"So tell me what's the ultimate rock star look?" people ask me expecting that I should have the answer, being the designer of that clothing line called "Fashion Rocks". On Google, the search term "How to dress like a rock star?" is very high on my list.

I am not a rock star myself. I put my rock idols on clothing because I think they deserve better than an old frumpy T-shirt and frankly, who said that a print of a rock star should be on t-shirts only? Why not an evening gown or a pair of pants and while we're at it on a skirt too? But anyway, I feel like I should have an answer to that question of what makes a star rock after all.

We are not rock stars and really don't now what it takes to be on tour all the time and rock out on stage at night, so it's a bit of a challenge to keep up that genuine look of rock star, I understand. So I've come up with a short list that should make it easy to meet that sort of challenge and if you just have at least 2-3 of these items handy, you're sure to have a rock vibe going:

• 1. THE SKINNY JEANS. Unless you are going for the hippie rock star look, the jeans must be the skinny type. Leggings will do. Also: nothing is worse than a fat rock star. Go on a diet, for crying out loud!

• 2. THE STUDDED BRACELET or anything studded. An easy way to say: rock 'n' roll.

• 3. DOC MARTENS BOOTS. It's the boot to have. Nothing rocks & kicks butt more. The Converse sneaker can be used during Summer instead.

• 4. EMBROIDERED ROCK PATCHES, frankly if your wardrobe is too clean it does not come across well here, so you need to spice things up a bit. The best way to do that is to add some patches to your jacket or pants, you gain instant rock cred.

• 5. MOTORCYCLE LEATHER JACKET. Yeap, it's true - without this rock essential your look just won't come together. If you must trade the leather, opt for denim. The Ramones proof this every day.

• 6. TOP HAT. No clue why this item rocks but it does. Put it on and see yourself transforming from a gray mouse existence to the glamorous VIP appearance. If you can't get your hands on one, go with a Fedora, that'll do.

• 7. PRINTED ROCK ICON T-SHIRT OR SKIRT. Try to hang on to a true rock star, that is a sure way to gain recognition for your look, don't be shy!
• 
  
• 
  • 

• 8. THE HAIR. Although not a clothing piece, an essential. Must be long & full or short & spiky. It must be messy or else you won't qualify - no way! And don't forget to put on some shades...

• • 

• 9. RUFFLED SHIRT OR BOW TIE SHIRT. This type of shirt reminds everybody of Jimi Hendrix or Prince and is sure to add rock star flavor, especially on a man.

• 10. SOMETHING GLITTERY. That can be make-up (together with a nice dark eye) or a sparkling fabric. Always remember: sparkle is glam.

Alright then, you are ready to go out and be a star! A rock star that is.

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!

recycled t-shirts

That's right! A while ago I have registered the domain RecycledTshirt.com and I am pretty sure that that was a very, very good move as I will soon add another online business to my repertoire... and the name says it: T-shirt Recycling!

The idea is to finally, officially offer my customers to take the chance and hand over their old collection of fabulous T-Shirts and let my design team work them into some pretty amazing "new" pieces. There will be a bunch of styles to choose from, so get ready for some really exiting One-Of-A-Kind fashion!

I started taking this process (recycling) to a complete new level, when in the early 1990's (the age of the Tank Girl and girly fashion) I was searching for tight fitting t-shirts - without success (really, there weren't any fitting t-shirts for woman at all and if you were a trend setter in those same shoes, you know what I am talking about) - and whilst shopping in the children's departments, I decided to just make the XXL t-shirt which I adored, but which looked ridiculously hideous on me, into a fitted garment. Over the years I have become very professional at this craft of patchworking!

I am also taking full credit for inventing the t-skirt, a skirt made from a t-shirt.

This is a recent dress I made for one of my private clients (who saw my surf t-shirt dress, which I published here a while ago) who is currently putting together her collection of old Grateful Dead shirts for an up coming new recycling project.

t-shirt recycling service available soon on T-ShirtRecycling.com

mini etsy

...just figured out this mini etsy thing...

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire me. It's been 40 years since the day he's been assassinated. He is an icon and his legacy lives on...

R.I.P

idilvicefashionrocks MLK tribute skirt honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 4 - Gerry Hudson, Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement today:

“As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, it’s time for an honest assessment of just how far we’ve come to achieve his dream of freedom and justice for all."

"A quick snapshot of today’s income inequality and continued health and educational disparities suggests that we haven’t come far enough."

“Economic disparities alone are higher today than it’s been in this country since 1928. Today’s minimum wage is just $5.85 an hour, which buys significantly less than the minimum wage of King’s time."

"Health disparities are also grim. More than one in five African Americans are uninsured and they have the highest rates of death due to diabetes, heart disease, and breast, lung, and colon cancer than any other ethnic group. And perhaps most sobering—segregation and inequality continue to define our public school system. Most recently we learned that in 17 of the nation’s 50 largest cities, less than half of the students who entered high school in 2003 graduated."

“We’ve got lots of work to do."