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Dita Von Teese Meets Ilona Royce Smithkin

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Yesterday Ilona and I had a wonderful time celebrating the launch of Dita Von Teese’s new signature cocktail ” The Cointreau MargaDita”. By the end of the night Ilona announced with a grand smile on her face, “You know what I think Tequila is better than Vodka.” Dita and Ilona share a love of style,art, and performance. Most importantly they both inspire people to be individuals and to stay true to themselves. For more Ilona Inspiration check out her videos HERE and enjoy a peak into her cabaret performance below!

Ilona Royce Smithkin and her Mermaids

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Today I went to visit my friend, 91 year old Ilona Royce Smithkin, to take a look at her mermaid drawings. Ilona has been drawing mermaids for about two years and she would like to make a book of them someday. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. If you are interested in purchasing one email me at Advancedstyleinfo@gmail.com and I’ll contact Ilona for you.

Ilona Royce Smithkin: Before the Eyelashes

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One of our very favorite ladies, Ilona Royce Smithkin, has had a very busy couple of weeks. After I wrote an article about her for The Huffington Post, NBC New York decided to interview for their nightly program LX New York. The night before, we had dinner at The Waverly Inn, and met Mayor Bloomberg. This 90 year old woman is busier than ever and there is never a dull moment when we hang out together.
Ilona was a hit even before she had her iconic eyelashes. The other day I received a wonderful email from a woman who remembered meeting Ilona as a child. Read her note and enjoy some vintage photos of this amazing 90 year old below:

There is my mother and I in front of the portrait she painted

Hi Ari,
When I was growing up in Wantagh Long Island and NYC, NY and my parents Rae (Rachel) and Ernie Miller had an art gallery in our home.They gave Ilona Smithkin a one woman show plus showed her work and sold many of her paintings to friends and neighbors.Our house was filled with her paintings. She did a fabulous portrait of my mother that she cherished till she died. Ilona came out to the shows at our house often.I have such fond memories of her. We all sat for portraits in her studio in NYC. I would LOVE to share some old photos with her and let her know how much I remember her.I am including a few old photos here, thanks for your stories on her.
Here she is in our hallway by a wall of her paintings, curled up with our dog Button

There is one of Ilona’s larger nudes in our basement part of the gallery…almost caused a scandal in our little suburbs…ha.

One of her nudes with my folks and I years later
Ilona with my mom comforting me for whatever reason. I think my long skirt itched!
For more on this amazing woman watch the clip below:

Lunch With Ilona

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It is Snowy here in New York so Ilona and I hopped in a taxi to meet or wonderful friend Lori Goldstein for lunch. I hope you enjoy the ride and remember to keep up with me on twitter AriSethCohen .

Ilona Royce Smithkin

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I know we have seen a lot of Ilona these days but she never ceases to amaze me. The other day she called me to let me know that she had made the most marvelous creation. When I arrived at her apartment she told me, ” I found the most wonderful scarf today, which I sewed together to make into a dress with matching scarf.” Read more about how Ilona’s style relates to her artistic practice in a post I did about her for The New Museum Blog
including the video below.

Here is Ilona performing this summer in Provincetown: