Author: KnowlesMalinda
Jay-Z does “Picasso Baby” as Performance Art at the Pace Gallery
Yesterday, Jay-Z was a work of art. Performance art, that is. He performed Picasso Baby and interacted with the crowd for six hours at the Pace Gallery.
Jay-Z raps about his appreciation for the art world. Here’s a snippet of the lyrics;
Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa
The modern-day version
With better features
Yellow Basquiat in my kitchen corner
Go ahead lean on that **** Blue
You own it
Good times. Check out video here.
Sincerely,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Upcoming Hamptons Shopping and Art Events
If you’re out going out East this summer, make sure to check out a few of these upcoming art and shopping fairs in the Hamptons. They also make for great day trips.
1. Bridgehampton Historical Society’s artMRKT Hamptons July 11-July 14th.
2. You can also check out Art Southampton presented by Art Miami July 25-July 29th.
3. Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s Super Saturday July 27
4. Hamptons International Film Festival Saturday, August 12th at 7 PM
5. Fashion Insiders with Fern Mallis: Nicole Miller Sunday, July 28 at 11 AM
Midsummer Night Maxi Dress Under The Trees at Southampton Social Club with Oros Music
Sleeping on lawn chairs, roasting marshmallows, laying out on the beach. Yes, it’s that time of year folks. Summer is in high swing and if you haven’t taken a vacation yet, you should.
I had a great time frolicking in the Hamptons this past weekend. Everyone wore their favorite summer dresses and latest bikinis. And I loved hanging out at Southampton Social Club under the stars in my favorite maxi dress this past weekend with Gabriella and Lidiya Oros of Oros Music. We had perfect weather and all I needed was a hammock to complete the night!
Good times.
Sincerely Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Google Glasses Taking Over The World?
So I just came across my first Google glasses fashion statement at the Absolut Vodka Open Canvas Event in Brooklyn this past weekend and I was in awe. I was casually chit chatting with crochet artist Olek’s and her friend when it dawned on me that I had never seen these glasses that she had on. I put my fashion blogger cap on and had to ask, what kind of glasses are those??
They both quickly answered saying they were Google glasses. First thought was how high-tech and interesting. Second thought was that she looked kind of geeky and that they were clunky and not too fashionable. ‘Nerd Gear’ were the exact words that came to mind. I wondered if these so-called ‘sophisticated’ Google glasses were really worth all the hype and hysteria? And not to mention, $1500 price tag? I do not own a pair but supposedly it’s like having a smartphone, but it’s on your face. I actually prefer search engine Bing, I wonder can I access that through Google glasses? I mean, just how important is it to be so uber-connected to society that you need to physically wear glasses that will allow you to record a “Google video” or conduct a “Google hangout” while riding a rollercoaster?
For now, I remain skeptical. It looks like another unnecessary and over-hyped piece of ‘fancy technology’ that Google is using to make a good profit. And, at $1500 a pop, I’m sure they certainly are generating a fabulous return. And, of course wearable technology is the next fashion frontier. Hell, perhaps one day we’ll look back at this post and laugh, and Google glasses and whatever else really will have taken over the world. In the meantime, however, I’m not buying it. Google glasses are just an unnecessary technological toy that might make you look cool at a party.
What’s your opinion?
Sincerely,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Jean Paul Gaultier’s “Fight Racism” Dress
So, unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are this week has you fired up about something. Well, I’m all about peace, love and happiness as you can see by my Bob Marley painting here. So thought I would share this “Fight Racism” dress from Jean Paul Gaultier.
Now I’m not sure if Jean Paul Gaultier made this dress because he made his own disparaging comments and is trying to turn around his public image like Paula Deen right now but either way, I like the dress. We need more outspoken fashion statements these days. Rules are meant to be broken and fashion is always taboo until it’s the ‘norm.’
Sincerely,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Absolut Open Canvas Art Event in Brooklyn
Talk about street art. This past weekend I stopped by the Absolut Vodka Open Canvas Event in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where artists Olek, Katsu and others transformed a whole street into an art display. Ice sculptures, knitted bikes, and graffiti filled the street and it was kind of amazing.
It was also really hot outside! Summer finally hit New York and I stayed cool in a white bustier, a white lace skirt and jewelry from various places including I-Ella’s List and Lea Jefferson. Absolut Vodka stirred up some great cocktails and I was able to meet Olek and her friend, the first person I’ve ever spotted wearing the new Google glasses! Check out more photos from the event below.
Sincerely Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Susan Claassen’s Conversations with Edith Head at the National Arts Club
I always love to visit the National Arts Club for their fancy decor and interesting programs put on by the National Arts Club Fashion Committee. This weekend I went to see a play starring Susan Claassen, Conversations with Edith Head. She’s been touring the country telling the Edith’s story for the last few years, but this was the first stop in New York. Quotables from the play include that she would make “…the girls look better than they were…, give them more butt,” and that she always wanted to “look like Shirley Temple.” Susan made everyone laugh during the play when she stated that “several young ladies come to me in blue jeans with no underwear on underneath.” When asked about Edith’s biggest regrets, she said it was “never dressing Marilyn Monroe.”
Susan took me back to sitting and talking with my grandmother, who was quite a master seamstress herself. Most of us these days do not think about putting together a beautiful dress as the ready-to-wear market has taken over and most likely people will not be returning to sewing their own clothing. Lots of folk came out to see the play and many I suppose were from Edith’s era. I even ran into Jean and Valerie, mature women bloggers who looked absolutely fabulous. Most of the crowd including myself wore a summer dress or suit, falling somewhere under that Spring Garden Party look. I also met Ellen Christine, a couture milliner, who showed off her beautiful hat for the camera. It was a great time.
If you’re not familiar with Edith Head, you should definitely check out the play and read these 6 things to know about her;
1. Edith Head had no prior experience in art or costume design before she was hired by Paramount Pictures as a costume sketch artist in 1924.
2. She’s the most honored costume designer in American history; she won 8 Oscars and received 35 Academy Award nominations
3. Edna Mode in Disney’s Pixar The Incredibles Movie (2004) was modeled after her
4. Her trademark “sunglasses” weren’t really sunglasses, they were blue-lensed glasses that allowed her to see what a costume would look like on Black and White film
5. From 1927-1979, she dressed about every important actress in Hollywood including Dorothy Lamour, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly
6. She presided over Alfred Hitchcock’s wardrobe department on 11 movies
Sincerely Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Black and White at the DKNY Store for Iris Smyle’s New Book Signing and OCRF Benefit
Tuesday I dashed in the rain to the midtown DKNY store for Iris Smyle’s Iris Has Free Time book signing and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) Fundraiser. DKNY sent a percentage of sales proceeds to OCRF and provided some great champagne to top it off. Iris Has Free Time is about growing up and can we please applaud the cover photo? Just loving the blue tutu!
I was wearing my white leather Vince jacket (on sale at Shopbop), a vegan black leather skirt from Guess (similar here), vintage Christian Louboutin heels and this amazing hat at the DKNY store. The store was full of some really great summer outfits and some of the best sneaker heels in town! I spotted the black version of the sneaker heels that I had blogged about last year and found a white pair I hadn’t seen before (pictured below).
Sincerely Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Opening Reception at the Milk Gallery for Jonathan Mannion’s Rough Around The Edges Polaroid Photography Exhibit
This week I stopped by the Milk Gallery for Jonathan Mannion’s Rough Around the Edges Photography Exhibit Opening Reception. Mannion is most known for his iconic Hip Hop photography: the portraits of DMX covered in blood for “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” Ludacris’ “Back For the First Time” album cover, Jay Z’s “Reasonable Doubt,” Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Ni**a Please,” and more. Amazingly, his work was done with a Polaroid camera.
The DJ was absolutely amazing and kept the crowd rocking while the crowd sipped to Ciroc cocktails and Red Stripe beer. The crowd was also decked out in their most fashionable summertime party gear and I met a few interesting people. Model Stevie Finedore (pictured below) wore a black and white dress, I saw lots of cutouts and crop tops, and other summer essentials like maxi dresses, rompers and printed pants. Check out photos of what they wore and more of Mannion’s photography below. The exhibit is on until July 9th so check it out!
Sincerely,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda F. Knowles