Category: Art

Porsha William’s Versace-Inspired Pop Art Dress for Atlanta Pride

Hey y’all, how are you doing? So, I just loved Porsha Williams from the Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Versace-inspired pop art dress that she wore to Atlanta Pride. I’ve been a fan of hers and the Housewives franchise for many years and love watching her on the show. She is also indeed in a relationship with Patrice “Sway” McKinney and stands up for the gay community in Atlanta. 

Anyway, did you see her dress? It was custom made by Rey Ortiz and is a recreation of the 1991 Marilyn Monroe x Andy Warhol Versace pop art printed dress. I believe her face was printed on the dress and shoes. Porsha also wore signature custom jewelry by Emmanuel Constantinos Tsakiris of House of Emmanuele couture jewelry. Just fabulous.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

Favorite “Fashion is Art” Met Gala 2026 Looks

Hey y’alll, how are you doing? Did you watch some of the Met Gala looks featured on the carpet last night? The gala’s co-chairs—Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour—were joined by a host committee that included Zoë Kravitz, Doja Cat, and Sabrina Carpenter. Jeff Bezos and his wife sponsored the event as well to much controversy. Either way, according to the museum CEO Max Hollein, the Met Gala broke its fundraising ceiling with a whopping $42 million. ‘Fashion is Art’ has been a trend for some time now and, as a visual artist, I just loved some of the looks.

Eileen Gu wore a bubble dress by Iris Van Herpen that took 2550 hours to make. The dress actually also blew real bubbles as a nod to the ever-evolving fashion technology scene. Sabrina Carpenter wore a Dior slit tulle dress accented by rhinestone film strips inspired by the 1954 film Sabrina. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter wore a skeleton dress by Olivier Rousteing, the former head of Balmain. I’ll just say this- women’s bodies should never be considered some kind of plaything. Women of African descent are often still seen as the “Jezebel,” even in the face of domestic violence offenders and rapists. 

Anyway, check out some other notable looks from Demi Lovato, Emma Chamberlain, a beautiful AI image proposed for Lady Gaga and another from Toyin Lawani below. Toast to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute!

 

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

Stella Jean’s Hand-Painted Haitian Olympic Costumes

So, have you been watching the Winter Olympics in Milan? I’ve caught a few segments here and there. Must say I’m kind of into figure skating on ice. They jump and twirl and attempt seemingly dangerous moves and do it with such perfection and grace. I just say wow. 

Well, I was really in awe of the Haitian Olympic competitor’s hand-painted uniforms. There’s only two Haitian athletes competing- Richardson Viano, an alpine skier, and Stevenson Savart, a cross-country skier. Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean created these beautiful costumes that really tell a Haitian story. She also designed the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

The costumes were based on a 2006 painting of the formerly enslaved revolutionary Toussaint Louverture riding a horse by the Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. Stella Jean actually had to redo her original design after being told it did not comply with International Olympic Committee rules on athletic expression. The IOC guidelines stipulate: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” So, they redid the design to only feature the horse.

They also added a traditional headwrap symbolizing how enslaved Africans were forced to cover their hair. Stella worried that the rain forecast might dissolve the paint and reveal Toussaint’s face underneath. In any case, I just love these costumes. What do you think?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

M2 Bob Marley Songs of Freedom Spring/Summer Sketches

Swimwear

Hey, how are you all doing? I’m indeed still dealing with some issues but wanted to share some sketches inspired by my Bob Marley “Songs of Freedom” painting done years ago. You can donate to the blog and the line here. Looking do some crowdfunding and give you a sneak peek on my freelance fashion journey. A lot of people love Bob Marley, have you seen the movie that came out not too long ago?

What do you think of these sketches? If you like one, please use the contact form and let me know. It was recently Miami Swim Week and it’s been really hot in Florida. I sketched some swimsuits (above) and included the view from the back (below). It’s the summer and no matter what bikini body you have, one of these would probably look great on you. I also had sketched some Spring leather pieces with pink and blue feathers as it still is a little chilly in the Spring/Summer in some spots. What’s your favorite? Tell me in the comments below.

Swimsuits Back
Spring Leather Pieces
Sequin Bob Marley Crop Top and Skirts

   

Dress and Hooded Leather Dress

Rompers

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

Mama Tina Knowles’ Matriarch New Book

Good morning, how are you doing? I am still going through it. Supposedly, people have been trying to help me so that I am not “at war.” I heard that I actually am allegedly a Queen. But, in any case, I have been trying to deal with the problem as best as I can. 

Anyway, I recently got a copy of my Mama Tina Knowles’ new book Matriarch and am very excited to start reading it. She’s done so much in fashion, art and entertainment. Her Wearable Art Gala and Waco Theatre art gallery are right in line with some of my work and quite inspirational.

I can’t wait to grab some coffee in my Bougainvilleas on a Sunday Tall Coffee Mug and continue reading. Have you gotten a copy?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

 

“The Cosmos” Sketch

The Cosmos, Malinda Knowles 2025

Hey, how have you been? I have been hammed up but recently created a sketch reflecting outer space. I call it “The Cosmos” as part of me wonders about the stars and outer space. They say the universe is “unfolding as it should” but sometimes things are so bad that it makes me wonder. If you could fly to another universe, would you?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

Bougainviellas on A Sunday Merch

Happy hump day folks! How are you feeling today? Well, I’ve got some new Bougainviellas on a Sunday merchandise in my Redbubble art shop for you to check out. Some others are available in the artwork shop as well. There’s some great t-shirts, pillows, tote bags and laptop sleeves as well. Perfect touch for some of your everyday needs.

I’m working on some new artwork too so stay tuned! What’s your favorite Bougainviellas on a Sunday merch?

Photo Credit: Redbubble 

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

Pastel Fruit Study

Good afternoon y’all! I did this drawing with pastels as a quick study on fruits and vegetables. A very classic art study. I love how I recreated the lighting on the grapes and eggplant. Anyway, prints and other merchandise are available in my Redbubble shop. Also coming soon to the artwork shop soon. Check out some of the products below.

       

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Bougainvilleas on a Sunday and M2 Sketches

So, I started a painting a while ago and did not finish it (which I have several). I went to brunch and snapped a photo by the boungavilleas before going home years ago. Florida has some beautiful greenery in addition to the gorgeous beaches. I was inspired to paint the purple boungavilleas and couldn’t decide between keeping me off the painting or not. In the end, I left me off.

M2 is still alive by the way. Below are some fashion design sketches I started with this painting as inspiration. Right now, I’m trying to do some crowd funding (you can donate here) and looking to bootstrap my way to developing the next collection. Hopefully, everything will work out and you’ll love it. Check out the progress of this painting and more below! 

 

 

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Naomi Osaka’s Nike x Ambush US Open Outfit

In a nod to Japanese culture, Naomi Osaka hit the US Open in style with a Nike x Ambush green outfit. Bows, tulle and ruffles were designed for the tennis star and she absolutely glowed and made quite the fashion statement. The outfit had a removable tutu and windbreaker that she took off to reveal a green tennis ensemble. She was returning to the court after a break for her mental health as well as a pregnancy. Check out more of the tennis champs’ look and original sketch below.

Photo Credit: Mike Stobe; Robert Prange/Getty Images

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles