Yours Truly,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
P.S. If you love this Blue Christmas Tree, shop similar here!
Author: KnowlesMalinda
Diane von Furstenberg and Camilla Morton’s New Fairy Tale Book: The Empress’s New Clothes
I remember when I first laid eyes on Diane’s collection, poking around the Fifth Floor at Bergdorf Goodman. I thought to myself, these prints are so cute, they kind of remind me of the 1970s. I ended up buying a blue dress that fit me like a glove and it is hard to fit my body perfectly.
My mother and grandmother were delighted to see it and asked who made it? I told them a new designer Diane von Furstenberg and received a chuckle from my mother. She explained that Diane was in no way a new designer; that she had been quite popular in the past with her iconic wrap dress.
Fast forward to today and I am still an avid DVF Fan. The clothes are so versatile; a number of pieces can go to work, a luncheon or a party. And after reading Diane’s new fairy tale book, The Empress’s New Clothes, I see that this feeling has been shared among many people from the 1970s to today.
The book is based on the incredible life (and LOVE) of Diane von Furstenberg. It is written by a London-based fashion writer, Camilla Morton, and illustrated by The DVF Studio. I especially love this illustrated page of the Empress and her new clothes below.
I won’t spoil the book but I will say that it is no wonder that Diane is a global fashion icon, business mogul, president of CFDA, and an inspiration to women everywhere. She has a slew of awards and achievements, and has revolutionized the fashion world by making clothes ‘easy’ with her wrap dress still sold and worn today. I told Diane at her book signing event this week at Bergdorf’s that I wanted to have a brand like hers. She responded with cool confidence that I can “be the woman that I want to be.”
I am deeply moved and in awe of Diane von Furstenberg. This fairytale story based on Diane’s life is not just a fairytale. It is an inspirational piece for little girls and women alike, a tale of a princess with an entrepreneurial spirit and a few sample dresses in her suitcase. Congratulations Camilla and Diane, this is a book that I hope to pass down to future daughters in my family.
Yours Truly,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Photo Credits: Jenny Kawa/BFAnyc.com
Copyright: ©BFA
Columbia Business School and Parsons Students Pitch Strategic Plans to Luxury Product CEOs
Last week I attended Columbia Business School and Parsons Students’ Final Presentations which featured their fall 2012 case studies from the CBS class Design and Marketing of Luxury Products. There in attendance were CEOs and top representatives from Chanel, Hermès, Loro Piana, Pomellato and Van Cleef & Arpels, with whom the students had worked all semester.
The class is taught by Professor Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge from CBS, who also runs several luxury consulting companies, and Professor Jessica Corr, a high-end hospitality designer/consultant who teaches at Parsons. The class is through the Luxury Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students in Design and Business related to the creation and marketing of luxury goods.
What struck me about the presentations was that most of the companies were looking for ways to integrate their online presence with the actual experience of a customer in-store. Some ideas included placing physical touch-screen computers in the fitting room, a “My Chanel” virtual closet to upload photos of yourself in your new Chanel wear, or my favorite “Share Your Love Story” cards for Van Cleef & Arpel’s bridal business.
It was a very exciting class, I might say! And it ended with a celebration and networking along with a gracious champagne donation from Moët Hennessy USA.
Yours Truly,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Do These Sequined Numbers for the Holidays
So, it’s that time of the year again. Happy Holidays everyone! As you shape up your plans and outfits, check out a few of these bedazzling numbers to get you glowing at your next holiday event!
Love these black shorts Halston Heritage sequined black shorts (on sale for $98).
Do it with a cardigan, a sweater, a jacket or a really nice blouse like this Chanel look with black sequined shorts from 2007 and Beyoncé from the Grammy Awards last year.
I’m also in love with these wintery white sequined Herve Leger dresses. They are absolutely gorgeous, and not to mention the Pink Sequined Bandage Dress is 50% off!
Finish it off with sparkly nails… I love Metallic 4 Life from the Nicki Minaj OPI Collection. It’s on my toes and I adore them. Also, try Snooki’s new Party’s Here, seen here.
Enjoy!
Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
Wear These Art Deco-Looking Christian Louboutin Shoes in Miami This Weekend
These Christian Louboutin shoes from the Resort Collection would look great in the colorful art deco background of Miami this weekend! They’re also perfect for showing off a good coral pedicure.
Pair them with simple white jeans like these J Brand Skinny White Jeans on sale for $112 or this Alexander McQueen ivory cape-back dress below.
Wearable Art Inspiration: Charlotte Olympia’s Hand-Painted Shoes at Art Basel Miami Beach
Part of being an artist is seeing beauty in the unconventional just like Alexander McQueen says in his quote. For those of you who have just started following, I am beginning to develop concepts for my own fashion brand inspired by my artwork. Eventually I’ll have all of my artwork up here for you to view, but in the meantime you can view a partial showing of one of my pieces here.
In any case, I am annoyed that I am back in New York early from Thanksgiving (because of class and work) and not in Florida. But, like I said a few weeks ago, if you can, get down to Miami this weekend for Art Basel!
Charlotte Olympia has teamed with contemporary artist Boyarde to hand-paint shoes that feature famous works of art from artists such as Mondrian, Pollock, Picasso and more. She will be debuting the heels this weekend at Art Basel Miami and the limited-edition heels will only be available for sale at Neiman Marcus in Bal Harbor, FL. Check out a few of them below.
(Images: Boyarde)
Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
“I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.” — Alexander McQueen
Skulls on Alexander McQueen’s Winter 2012 Handbag Collection
Alexander McQueen is shipping for free until December 21st. Skulls and punk rock look mixed with soft femininity the winter handbags are to die for!
Pair them with a few other skulls… a ring or earrings from Joanna Laura Constantine’s Gothic Collection (like the earrings below) and you’re all set to rock up your winter look.
I love the skulls, check out a few of my favorite bags from McQueen’s collection below.
International Herald Tribune Luxury Conference 2012: The Promise of Africa, The Power of the Mediterranean
The International Herald Tribune Luxury Conference started this past Wednesday and ends today. Since 2001, it is the annual forum for business and creative leaders throughout the global luxury goods industry. Suzy Menkes, IHT’s Fashion Editor hosts the annual conference and attracts all the top talent in the world.
This year they talked mostly about economic development and fashion in the Mediterranean and throughout Africa. This year’s speakers included Omoyemi Akerele, Creative Director and Founder of Style House Files, a Fashion Creative Development Agency in Nigeria and Manolo Blahnik, one of the world’s most influential shoe designers. I’m glad the Conference is talking about cultures that aren’t always in the limelight.
I was a fly on the wall all week watching some of the sessions and keeping up with @IHTLuxury on twitter! Check out more about the conference here.
Yours,
“Fashionably-Late”
Malinda Knowles
“Party’s Here!” Jersey Shore Snooki Launches Snooki Couture by Nicole Polizzi
This week I attended the launching of Snooki Couture, a new beauty line by Nicole Polizzi. You might be thinking Snooki Couture? But for Nicole it doesn’t necessarily mean high end or exclusive fashions. She says that “when you think of ‘couture’ you think of expensive…but ‘couture’ means mature and classy.”
When I spoke with Nicole, she kept reitirating how she is now more mature but likes to remain “sexy” even using this one word to describe her new fragrance. She told me that being a mom “changes your life” and her new son is “her whole world.”
So, what to expect from this new line? Scented top coat. Holiday Glitter. Neons. Fun. Bows. Nicole and I recommend “Party’s Here,” a glittery silver to go along with your sparkly hot New Year Eve’s party dress. I’m definitely going to try it.
You can pick up some of the shades and fragrance at Perfumania, where they will be exclusively sold and Nicole will be signing bottles personally November 19th.
While getting my nails done in a magenta purplish color called “Smush That,” I met Alisha Clark of E! who had her nails done in “Moneymaker Green,” a shimmery green color from Nicole’s line.
Nicole says fashion design are what’s next for her, styling the crew below. Let’s see how far this pint sized Jersey girl can go!
