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!

lady gaga raw

After her performance last night at the AMA, Lady Gaga has my vote. When I first heard of this glam rock lady who got her name from the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga", I thought she was a new talent from England, judging by the techno dance music she was known for. Little did I know that she's a New York kid! Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, from Upstate NY.

While I simply adore her produced persona, I thought it was interesting to show this performance from NYU, years back.

Lady Gaga Raw. Great voice. She looks nothing like the produced persona that she is now, but if I may point out that she is barefoot on the piano, that may give away a little bit of where she would head later down the road. Great!

...lady gaga performs at bazaar restaurant at an early stage in her career...

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!

links à la mode: best of independent fashion bloggers

Imagine one of your blog post gets listed among the best weekly posts - the link roundup - of the worldwide IFB Independent Fashion Blogger network! That would be exiting right?!

Well, IdilViceFashionRocks made it (thanks, Jennine)! For the very first time one of my posts made the cut and I can tell you it feels pretty damn good! So to help you start off this brand new week with fashionable inspirations: go indulge yourself in the very best of what fashion blogging offers right now!

Finding what works…

Edited by Jennine

Man, editing the links this week was painful, only because there were so many fantastic posts, so be sure to check them all out in the IFB forums! This week we have loads of great interviews, a few wonderful lookbooks from our members, and had a recurring theme of personalizing style, from the DIY projects from M.I.S.S., Monoxious.com, Quirky Fashion, to customizing trends on Clutch 22, dramatis personae and The Art of Accessories we’re finding what works!

Links à la Mode : November 12th

• Idiosyncratic Style – Pearls of Wisdom: The Holy Fashion Grail


• Large Black Diary – Official neck trend of 2009


• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty: DIY Convertible Chain Jewelry


• Monoxious.com – DIY Clothes Tutorial: Shirt to skirt.


• Painfully Hip – Painfully Hip Design Collective F/W 2009: Daphne


• Quirky Fashion – How To Make a Fascinator – DIY Fashion Story


• Retro Chick – Luscious Lingerie – Miss La La’s Boudoir


• 39th and Broadway – Wendy B Tells All!


• Clutch 22 – AMSB Challenge #3: How to Style a Hot Pink Mini


• Denim Debutante – How to: Easily Find the Right Denim Sizing for You


• IdilViceFashionRocks: – wedding in las vegas


• Sweet Fancy Treat – The Nomadic Way


• The Art of Accessories – How To Accessorize With Belts


• THE COVETED – Everyone is beautiful: Our relationship with beauty isn’t always easy


• dramatis personae – A Girl’s Guide to Faux Eyelashes


• Fashion Pulse Daily – Candela NYC: Casual, Carefree, Cool


• Fete a Fete – Armani 2009 Holiday Crystal Collection


• Fresh Pie! – Piewacket – Outtakes


• Gloria's Jeans – Flight of Fancy: How to Travel in Style


• The Curvy Fashionista – Plus Size Fashions by the Ines Collection


• The Working Wardrobe – Designers Who Work It: Orlando Espinoza Transcends Both Time and Trend for the Working Woman

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.

another one bites the apple

...the beatles bag from comme des garçons 2010...

Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons is usually not one to follow other people or jump on running train wagons, but this time - I am afraid - she is a bit behind :0
My collection "Fashion Rocks", which combines rock 'n' roll imagery and music style with couture fashion has mutated beyond t-shirts and bags long ago and now includes the whole gamut of rock 'n' roll icons, not just The Beatles, FYI. I say this with a smirky smile on my lips!

Then again - come on! - this bag is cute enough and why should Rei not get a shot at The Beatles? Right? So I am looking forward, impatiently, to see what she'll come up with!

Über fashion reporter and patriarch Suzy Menkes from the NY Times, whom I got to meet at the T party at the Boom Boom Room during Fashion Week, forecasts a collection of bags and shirts to look more basic than inventive. Well? Again, that doesn't sound like Rei. I wonder.

Now. Only one last thought before I am moving on with my life: the repetitive logo pattern feels a bit Louis Vuitton-ish, n'est çe pas? I just hope no one bites the dust, dear!!

...grateful dead bag from the idilvicefashionrocks collection 2007...

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.

glanz und gloria

Been busy guys! Glanz und Gloria. It means "Shine and Glory" and it's an entertainment TV show on Swiss National TV which airs every day. Journalist Arthur H. Honegger (photo above and below) just filmed an IdilVice portrait (it shows my sourcing work running around in New York City's garment district visiting all my favorite fabric and trim stores!!) to air...??? Ahem, not sure when, but I will let you know ahead of time so you won't miss it ;-)

Here's a little preview of my outfit...


I just put my Sex Pistols Tunic Dress over my distressed (yeah, they're ripped too!) jeans, wrapped my seersucker cotton scarf around my neck, threw on my soft pink cotton canvas sports coat and in case it would rain (which of course it didn't, all day) I carried my vintage Burberry's coat along.... Ah and yes, you can't see the boots but FYI, and if you care, they are the white Dr. Martens. What do you think? Does this style rock or does it not?

...arthur h. honegger from sf tv...

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!

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!