{Street-Spotted} Régine Illi

A shop manager for the Rietberg Museum in Zurich, FOF Régine Illi is always on the lookout for innovative design, worldly items or offbeat trinkets to sell in her store. Even though she’s in New York City for “vacation,” we could tell her head was still back at the museum. We spotted her on Madison Avenue captivated by a whimsical display of aluminum-foil animals in a storefront at a children’s boutique. “I’m capturing ideas,” says Regine.

Name: Régine Illi

Age: (gasp) 55

What do you do? I manage the shop at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich. Right now we have an exhibit on Bhutan so I try to find items from Bhutan or India.

What kind of museum is that? It’s known for it’s non-European art.

And you’re from Zurich? Yes.

What are you doing in New York? I’m on vacation with my friend Yael Nadiv. She’s a jewelry designer and she just had a trunk show at Henri Bendel. I’m wearing one of her necklaces.

How would you describe your style? Clean. Basic. Normally, two colors at most, straight lines. Today, I’m more eccentric. I feel more free and liberated when I’m not in my country. Americans are more liberal and free. My style changes depending on my mood.

Who are your favorite designers? Donna Karan and Norma Kamali

On Régine:
Hat– made in Uzbekistan, from a folk art market in Santa Fe
Necklace– designed by friend, Yael Nadiv, of Onyx Jewelry
Dress– made in India
Shoes- Puma
Pants- Gabriele Strehle
Bag- vintage Gucci
Sunglasses- found in the Le Marais district of Paris

Images by Katherine McPherson for FabOverFifty.com

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0 Responses to “{Street-Spotted} Régine Illi”

  1. Terry says:

    I really don’t care for the dress. I think it looks too light and floaty. This woman looks darling with her hat and jewelry. I would perfer a dress that reflects one of the colors in her hat and/or jewelry.

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  2. Carol says:

    How fun she is!!! Whimsical and not afraid to use color. Love it!!

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  3. Katherine from Fab Over Fifty says:

    Thanks, ladies! We had a great time chatting with Régine. Her creativity was so apparent. We were certainly inspired by her and it sounds like you were too!

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    • Isabela says:

      You actually make it seem so easy with your apseentrtion but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

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  4. KMM says:

    I really love the folksy hat! She has managed to mix different prints throughout her ensemble without it looking too busy–definitely a tough thing to pull off. She looks great!

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  5. Mary Anne Prevost says:

    Wow, such a fun article! What a great gal!

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  6. Betty says:

    I like her glasses most of all. They inspire me to update my current frames which I’ve had for years. Mine look so dull compared to those! I imagine wearing them makes one feel like being on a safari! How exciting!

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    • Auth says:

      I don’t know about you, but when I eat something gseray my face feels really disgusting. I heard that if you eat more healthier it helps your skin. Also, drinking water does too, as well as fliters the toxins out of your body.

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