Category: Art

June 10, 2013

Miami Design District, Graffiti and Louis Vuitton

Graffiti Covers Louis Vuitton Store in Miami

According to Business of Fashion, developer Craig Robins’ Miami Design District is growing at a rapid pace. Artists, interior designers, architects, and luxury good stores have clustered in the neighborhood. The feel of Miami, everlasting impact of Cuban and Latin American culture, as well as the artwork are shaping the character of this new district and business is experiencing success. Real Estate professional Zendell stated that “…before, Miami was a place to unload your summer gear, now even cashmere sells in Miami.”

I thought it was particularly interesting that artwork and even graffiti seem to permeate the area. Street artist Retna covered the Louis Vuitton store graffiti-style and the brand has marketed graffiti-covered merchandise as well. Robins states that “when you come here there will be a lot of art, anchored by the Rosa de la Cruz collection and my own collection.” Robins is an avid supporter and collector of the arts. He is Founder and Chairman of the Anaphiel Foundation, member of the Board of Trustees of the Miami Art Museum, and Principal of Art Basel Miami. Over 100 brands are expected to have locations in the District by the end of 2015, and I am very excited to see the area develop.

Graffiti Wall in Miami

Graffiti Wall by Rime in Miami

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

June 4, 2013

Stopped by The Rush Arts Gallery This Weekend for the Closing Reception of Physically Practiced

This weekend I stopped by the Chelsea Rush Arts Gallery in a hot orange jumper (similar here) to catch the tail end of their Physically Practiced Performance and Closing Reception. Artist MarIo [Or Am I] Platypus went from painting a wall with interpretive language to actually frying a fish in a performance art dance. The studio also features artwork from artists Samson Contompasis, Musa Hixson, John Lee, and Jonathan Villoch (Depoe). The artists all incorporated movement into their work whether it be martial arts, breakdancing or simply meditating on dirt from the earth. I just loved Samson Contompasis and Jonathan Villoch’s pop art portraits of real women (pictured above) which he is using to raise awareness of women’s rights. And they displayed John Lee’s jump suit and a video of him literally break dancing and painting at the same time.

I met Curator Charlotte Mouquin, her team and photographer Greg who were all too gracious in having me at the studio. Charlotte and her team posed for a quick photo below after the event. Fried fish, breakdancing and painting simultaneously. Great stuff at the Rush Arts Gallery this past weekend.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

May 13, 2013

Summer is in the Air: Waves, Water and that Perfect Maxi Dress for a Hamptons Weekend

I was looking at some old Instagram photos of an amazing time I had on the beach last Memorial Day Weekend and decided to share a few. I just can’t wait for the weather to fully warm up in New York City and for a few Hamptons weekends. As an original native of Florida, I live for the beach (only the good ones though) and I adore cute summer sandals, hats, bikinis, maxi dresses and jumpers. As I finalize my summer plans and get out of these final exams at FIT, I am absolutely looking forward to summer this year!

Here’s an old painting of a beach wave that I did some time ago but I’m challenging myself to do better than that and get a bit more depth and contour in the wave and ocean water. As I said before, all of my artwork should be up on the blog before the summer is over.

Anyway, I love a good maxi dress for the summer and spotted some new ones recently that seem great for that Florida or Hamptons summer vacation weekend. Check out a few below from Tibi, Roberto Cavalli, and Diane von Furstenberg. See even more summer wear here.

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

May 8, 2013

Pratt Show 2013: Best Graduating Work in Art, Design and Fashion

So this week I attended the Pratt Design Show 2013 in midtown to view work from graduating students. Again, unfortunately, later that evening my electronics were stolen so I don’t have my own photos to share as usual, but I did grab some of the student’s photos and met several design students with great work. Here below are some of my favorites.

Came across a few cartoon illustrators with some outstanding and not-to-mention pretty funny stuff actually. Logan Fitzpatrick and Jenni Ng made me laugh with their funky illustrations.

In jewelry, I adored this necklace from Gabrielle Nicole Morris and loved work from Samantha Nania as well.

Necklace from Gabrielle Nicole Morris

And, lastly, the Pratt Graduating Fashion Show had some great looks. Take a look at some of my favorites on the runway from Emma Hastil, Madeline Gruen, Raya Kassisieh, Catherine Young, and Jefferson Musanda.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Photo Credit: Jesse Lirola of New York Magazine

May 6, 2013

A Wave Sketch: Studying Waves

So I’ve been studying waves as I want to use the ocean as inspiration for my next painting. The ocean and waves are not only gorgeous but give an automatically calming feeling.

Most of my artwork should be available for view by the end of this summer, so stay tuned.

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

March 3, 2013

Wear Your Favorite Painting on Your Nails by Miho Kawajiri

Lily Pond, by Malinda Knowles

This week Japanese nail artist Miho “Mei” Kawajiri interpreted one of my paintings on my nails and I must say her work is amazing. I met her in at Su’juk, a vintage clothing store in Brooklyn where she does nails every Monday and Thursday. She took one quick look at my Lily Pond painting and got to work on my nails right away with an impressive arsenal of Japanese colored gels and brushes.

Mei and I were both in a hurry so she interpreted my Lily Pond painting on two fingers on each hand. We said that one of these days soon when we have more time, she’ll do even more detail. If she can do this in a hurry, what can she do when she is not in a hurry?

Well, check out some of her other work. On her nails, is a work that she terms “nude” and the below is Mei’s favorite, inspired by 83-year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for painting polka dots on naked models.

Infinity Mirror Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life

Mei has been doing nails for twelve years and has been in the United States for five months. She said she came to New York because she wanted a “challenge” and is currently working on a nail sticker line with goscratchit.com that will be available in Fall 2013. She has worked with celebrities such as Eve and will be doing nails at Metropolitan Museum of Art, PS1 for their Vanity Project event March 9th from 12-6 PM.

Catch her also at Valley downtown or at Su’juk in Brooklyn during the week. I can’t wait to work with her again!

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

February 17, 2013

Funky Street Style, Grunge, Punk and Pop Art on the Runway during NYFW FW 2013

So, grunge, punk, pop art and New York street style walked the runway during this past New York Fashion Week. Jeantrix, Tumbler & Tipsy, Ashton Michael and Jeremy Scott all gave us funky street style, embracing New York for Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013. They all combined funky street style with grunge, goth, punk rock, art or pop art images while fully embracing city life and taking their imaginations to another level.

Jeremy Scott fully embraced color, specifically neons, with major inspiration from pop art.

Ashton Michael’s “Black Heart” Collection gave us full New York City chic grunge shown at Conair Style 360 New York Fashion Week.

Jeantrix, originally from Philadelphia, has always embraced the pop art theme. Check out the multicolored leather jacket on the male model in their Lucid Dreams F/W 2013 Collection Fashion Film (featuring their version of the Harlem Shake).

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Also shown at Conair Style 360, some funky punk rock looks from Tumbler and Tipsy.

Interesting and creative stuff from these designers. Shop the Funky Street Style Look here.

Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

January 30, 2013

Wearable Art Inspiration: Proenza Schouler Graffiti Bag

I’m totally on to this new bag from Proenza Schouler’s PS1 Collection. Take this graffiti covered bag to the streets with some leather pants, sneaker heels and one of those skull shirts and jewelry from Alexander McQueen. Check out some ideas to mix and match in my Funky Street Style collection here.

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

December 4, 2012

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.