Name: Ivy Kirzhner, a.k.a. “The Thrillah from Manila!!!”
Hometown: Queens, NY by way of Manila, which explains the “Thrillah.”
Sign: Gemini. But according to the ancient Chinese astrologers, I’m a Metal-Rooster

How often do you read your horoscope? I often test the astrologers’ abilities by reading the horoscopes from previous weeks/months to see if they match up with my life. Freaky enough, they sometimes do. But I remain in denial.

Current favorite song: “Chinese Children” by Devendra Banhart.

Childhood celebrity crush: I’ve always had a thing for Speed Racer… even today.

The movie you would watch whenever it is on TV? I must admit that I love Lord of the Rings. It’s because of the lovely, lovely elves.

If I could be anywhere, I’d be: peeking through a Parisian discotheque and deciding whether to dare or not to dare…

Is there a book that has profoundly changed your life? Anything about the Law of Attraction.

What book are you reading now? The Secret (but ssshhh… it’s a secret.)

What’s on your iPod?: Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, The Rapture, Muse, The Republic Tigers, Lupe Fiasco, Mr. Bungle, Devendra Banhart, Blonde Redhead, Sufjan Stevens, Queen, The Pixies…

How many air miles do you log a year? About 120,000+. Does my boat ride through the Panama Canal count?

What is your favorite piece from your current collection? I really love the ADAM, our thong bootie flat sandal in the kidsuede. They’re from the future!

How would you best describe your client? Our client possesses a greater sense of self, and truly understands and celebrates her own individuality. She does not follow trends, but rather relishes in her own ability to go well and beyond any trend. She is hip, young, creative, care-free, enjoys putting outfits together (particularly mixing vintage/ thrift with boutique items) and is confident enough to know that she could make anything look good… Ok, at least, that’s the picture of the little muse I carry around in my head all the time.

Who are your personal style icons? Audrey Tautou’s character in “Amelie” and my (make-believe) celeb besties: Natalie P, Kirsten D, Keira K, and Maggie G!

What style secrets do you have right now? I like adding something strange to a perfectly great outfit just to throw people off — myself included. I am totally digging my large Cazal prescription glasses (think Run DMC) and I do plan to wear them to a wedding.

Right now, every girl needs _____? Tall Gladiators! I mean the sandals… not the guys running around in armor. Although those are pretty hot too.

What do you buy at the newsstand? Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer in Cheerful Cherry. It makes me happy every morning.

Your ideal day/night? Spending the whole day/evening working on a creative project… and actually finishing it and be happy with it. Hmmmm… I don’t think that has actually ever happened. Let me work on that right now.

Dolce Vita is available at all CUSP boutiques and at CUSP.com