Happy New Year!

Look what I just discovered: Mimi Vert featured on Vogue China

alternative self defense device

Wasp Spray Necklace
Pepper spay is restricted in New York. But a little research shows that wasp spray is an efficient alternative.
This gave me the idea for this perfume bottle necklace. The bottle's shape is inspired by the form of a wasp nest, plus carrying it around your neck makes it fast and easy to reach and use.
The function of a piece of jewelry has been transformed from the traditional ornamentation to the useful purpose of self protection.

These are only a sketch model and some drawings, the final piece would be in ceramic and gold.
What do you think?

Angela Chang, Product Design Sophomore at Parsons the New School for Design
This sweet and talented young lady is originally from Taiwan, but used to live in China and Vancouver before moving to New York City.
Angela is an amazing drawer - I had the chance to see some of her recent drawings. She enjoys walking around her NYC neighborhood, going for groceries with her little Lumix and cooking. Angela loves the city she lives in, food from any culture and Mimi Vert. <3
I wish her all the best in her career and I can't wait to see more of her designs..

Angela wears the Fleur de Lys Ring Pendant from the Jeanne D'Arc Collection

Notes on a Notebook Pt 3

I don’t like to get rid of the past. Especially I get attached to things where I have put thought or invested time. Usually I end up storing them in a drawer or finally after years throwing them away.
So I asked myself what are the possibilities to recycle my old Moleskine notebook?
I wanted to transform it into a new item that allows me to keep carrying around my beloved companion. Since jewelry is my business the first that came in my mind was to convert it into a necklace.
I only used (except for some water and starch paste) the properties of my 2010 Moleskine. Each bead of the necklace represents one random day of my past year. While I was creating them some names, events and places appeared repetitively others surprisingly. Either way -and even just as simple notes- they awoke emotions and memories. I experienced it as a therapeutic process that made me aware of what moved and dominated my daily life throughout that year. For next January I plan to do a new piece with this year’s diary instead of making New Year's resolutions.
Out of a notebook (that due to technological advance is an unnecessary object) I made a piece of jewelry (that by nature is unnecessary), but ultimately an accessory that is truly one of a kind.

Jason Wu

Check out NYC based designer Jason Wu's beautiful work. Michelle Obama is one of the many women that love to wear his sophisticated and feminine dresses.
My sister and I had a great time with the designer and his friends last month in New York. Becca and Jason found out that they are twins from different parents, born same time, day and year :)

Daniel, Jason and Rebecca at boom boom room

altered

A few weeks ago a friend I haven`t seen for long mentioned that she saw my picture at an exhibition. Later I found out that she was talking about the image from the NZZ article altered by Swiss artist Beni Bischof. Now the best part, yesterday my sisters boyfriend, who knows the artist personally, got me the original for my birthday!

My friend and last year's Miss Puerto Rico Universe Mariana Vicente asked me for my personal summer tips to share them with her fans. Check them out on her new blog a life w/out mofongo

Notes on a Notebook Pt 2: Necessary, Accessory or Luxury?

As already mentioned some useless objects in our daily life were preserved and gained new value. The fact that a wristwatch is not really needed anymore helped to take it to another level converting it into a status symbol. Such objects that lost their original purpose are now charged with a new, more emotional value. The Moleskine notebook’s subtle marketing concept supports that bond, makes it part of each owners personal identity. It becomes a cult object.
I like to see a person next to me in a cafe having his notebook on the table instead of (or in addition to) his blackberry or iphone. For me it’s like seeing a women with an exquisite handbag or piece of jewelry, it makes someone more interesting. This addition to one’s personality is what an accessory should do.
The iconic Moleskine, almost a synonym for notebook, may be inexpensive and produced in masses but could be perceived as a luxury product in many ways. Something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort, it is a brand focused on a history that represents a lifestyle and evokes emotion, inspiration and satisfaction. Just as other traditional products Moleskine was forced to connect to the digital world and like some luxury brands they did it impressively. Moleskine makes successful use of social media, holds an interactive website, e-commerce, online marketing and people all over the net are uploading and sharing scans of their notebooks.
In our times of iPhones, iPads, facebook and Google calendar, drawing or writing down things in a notebook sure may seem unnecessary and time consuming. But isn’t having and especially taking time priceless and the ultimate definition of luxury?

Mimi Vert in Friday Magazine

Open publication - Free publishing - More beauty

Photo by Juventino Mateo, Model: Miriam Maina, Hair & Makeup by Mia Bregar

Notes on a Notebook

Why am I drawing this notebook? I could just take its picture and in a matter of seconds I would have a much more realistic image of it. Nevertheless photography wasn’t able to completely replace drawing like the computer didn’t push aside the book or notebook. Sure technology made them less needful, but so how did the notebook prevail in today’s digitized society?
For people like me -who got familiar with the internet at a young age but still grew up drawing, tinkering their own toys- writing down things by hand is a nostalgic act and can be a cleansing process. Compared to the technologically advanced alternatives, a notebook doesn’t require electricity nor updates, which makes it much more reliable on a long term.
Although the laptop -not surprisingly also called notebook today- took over the original function of a notebook, the book of blank pages persisted as a primary venue for notes, drawings, organizing and brainstorming because it offers a more direct, simple and authentic way of visual thinking. It continues to be a flexible and individualized tool to create ideas and becomes in this manner an essential part of our personality.I’m not sure how the new generation is going to experience this but somehow I think that the physical will always feel more real than the virtual.
I believe the sensory experience of paper, the process of sketching or a distinct handwriting- even barely readable- are irreplaceable.

Mimi Loves

Spotlighted in the past edition of MV zine. Stylist and fashion editor Davis Carrasquillo did these pictures of me for the latest issue last march in NYC. We have worked together so many times and in every occasion we have a blast.
Check out his work and blog
skirt: Vena Cava, top: Ecliptica, lace body: American Apparel, bag: Mulberry, sunglasses: Balenciaga, ring & necklace: Mimi Vert, shoes: Ash

MV zine third issue

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Z - Die schönen Seiten

NZZ's current Magazine "Z" is dedicated to timepieces and jewels- just on time for the watch and jewelry show Baselworld. I was portrayed together with four other young Swiss designers in an article that comments on what Switzerland has to offer between the big brands of the industry and the traditional goldsmiths. pages 34-37

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

New Collection preview

Last week in NYC I had the chance to lend the first samples of my new “Jeanne D’Arc” Collection to an editorial shot by photographer Yulia Gorbachenko.Ring and necklace in one: Model Britt is wearing some of the Jeanne D'Arc black silver rings as pendants. Get them on mimivert.net

The title of this January’s Annabelle cover story reads
“40 years of women’s right to vote” (only! unbelievable I know... but true) The front page shows Switzerland’s four female federal councils, who form for the first time in history a female majority of our government.
Find Mimi Vert's Organic Cross ID Bracelet on page 90.

Shared Closet

Valentina and Paula are two lovely sisters from Bilbao, Spain. They are the creators of the popular blog Shared Closet, where these pictures originate from.
I love how Valentina combines her new Mimi Vert organic cross necklace!

Also check out the post they recently wrote about me: Mimi, una joya.

Mimi Vert @ home

MV zine second issue

See the whole issue:

Open publication - Free publishing - More mv zine

Mimi Vert Share the Taste

"D´Party isch vrbi"

I guess most of you don’t know that Swiss Rap even exists. I thought it’s time to spread the word beyond the borders of Switzerland. Get to know my childhood friend Basil Anliker, today better known as Baze. His third solo LP "D´Party isch vrbi" (meaning that the party is over in my hometown Berne’s dialect) has just been released.
Growing up together I have always loved (and sometimes hated) Basil for his barefaced honesty. The same authentic characteristic is reflected in his music, which is what makes it so real to me. Talking about his ups and downs, thoughts and doubts free from pretension, just simple stories about himself and life that surrounds him. Melancholic, sometimes depressing but somehow surprisingly calming. The lyrics as well the sounds that complete and support them break with stereotypes of the Rap genre. Even you won’t understand a word I believe the album is worth listening to. Get it here Baze wears the new Mimi Vert ID bracelet in black silver.

One of a kind Miss Bliss

You must have seen her before. Beautiful dancer Melanie Alexander is watching us from the ongoing Benetton campaigns all over the world.
Melanie got her unique look and nickname Miss Bliss (Black Swiss) from her redhead Swiss mother and African-American father.
I first met her at a fashion show in Switzerland. Her sweet and positive personality makes you fall in love with her at first sight.
Yesterday in Zurich Melanie and I had coffee and an inspiring talk. It was the perfect autumn day, so I took the chance to take her picture with her new Mimi Vert ring.
Here is what she said: "The moment I put the Star-Ring on my finger, I did not want to take it off anymore. Playful and feminine, that is just like me."
Visit Melanie's website: www.melaniealexander.ch

Valerie by Lorraine Rodriguez

I wish I could meet more of my clients personally. Like Valerie. I first knew her when she interviewed me for a local indie magazine more than five years ago when I was just starting making jewelry. Actually she was the first person writing an article about Mimi Vert. Since then she has gotten herself quite a large collection of MV pieces. I got those pictures of Valerie from her friend photographer Lorraine, who is also an amazing ilustrator. I simply adore these images.

Marie Claire

This is the outcome of the previously mentioned shoot in Coney Island for Marie Claire Latin America.
Fashion Director: Davis Carrasquillo, Photography: Frank Veronsky, Make-up: Stacie Ford, Hair: Julia Rose, Manicurist: Amber Stores, Models: Andreea Stancu and Ismini Papavlasopoulou @ Muse NYC, Jewelry: Mimi Vert