Tag: Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld Pearl Chain Boots + Denim Skirt

So recently I stumbled upon a Karl Lagerfeld store at a nearby outlet mall and had no idea that the store was in West Palm Beach. Their items are cute and makes me wish that Karl was still alive. What a legend, right? From their button down tops to chain and pearl boots, the store will excite you about Karl’s legacy. Recently wore this Karl Lagerfeld t-shirt, Mother denim skirt (not similar but very cute Aknvas Rivington ruffled skirt here) , lace-up and Karl Lagerfeld pearl chain boots and a vintage black Rebecca Minkoff purse (similar here). The boots remind me of Chanel’s 2013 chain boots featured on the runway here.

Photo Credit: Sergey Yusin

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

A Few Sketches

Hey! So what’s going on? I’ve been caught up with some of my own issues in life. Lot of rumors going around- be careful with jealous people especially in your own family. But, anyway, do you like some of these sketches? They are from the past and I have some sketches inspired by my Bob Marley “Songs of Freedom” painting. Many have told me that they love the painting and would definitely be interested in seeing some of my products inspired by the painting. Would you? If so, send me a message or comment below. Am looking for an angel investor. Let me know if you know one. Have a good night!

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

The Fashion at Inauguration Day 2021

So I just had to take another look at all of the beautiful fashion on display at Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day ceremony. Michelle Obama looks absolutely amazing in Sergio Hudson, a Black designer from South Carolina. Dr. Jill Biden wore an ocean-blue wool tweed coat over a dress by American designer Alexandra O’Neill of the Markarian label. And, Vice President Kamala Harris wore a purple outfit by a young black designer Christopher John Rogers.

Jennifer Lopez sang in a Chanel number and Lady Gaga stunned in a gorgeous Schiaparelli design. Lastly, a young poet laureate Amanda Gorman wore a yellow Prada coat. It was a moment that will go down in history. Congratulations to Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden!

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Wish List: Five Spring Chanel Bags

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So spring has sprung and I recently came across a few Chanel handbags that were just so cute! Chanel bags can be expensive but they are worth the investment. Yes, some of them are trends of the moment but you’d be surprised how vintage Chanel bags can transcend time. Sequins and plastic are definitely a thing for Spring 2018. But I’m sure these bags will still be fabulous in the future. Check them out below and contact me for more information!

                                                                            Chanel Backpack, $3400
                                                                           Chanel’s Gabrielle Hobo Bag, $5000
                                                                            Chanel Flap Bag, $2600
                                                                        Chanel Classic Handbag, $11400

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

 

Winter Getaway: Chanel Resort 2016

DSC074CHA_1698Going away this winter? I might be among those flocking to tropical locations like Florida soon and am excited by some of this terrific resort wear! ModaOperandi is selling some of the best pieces including this Dolce & Gabbana cotton ruffle crop top and Agua de Coco bikini top and bottom

Anyway, check out some of these beautiful Chanel Resort 2016 runway looks!

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Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

A Graffiti Chanel Backpack for $3400

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Grunge. Graffiti. The 1990s. and Chanel? Really. Yes, Chanel has again jumped on the graffiti bandwagon for Spring 2014. It’s an interesting play on colors but for $3400? Label whores who do anything for a label might easily fork over the money for this but I would say if you really want a backpack like this, do it yourself. Make a fun art project out of this at home.

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Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the creativity, colors and grunginess of it all but I just can’t get with the pricepoint. After seeing those Chanel boots from the F/W 2013 show, I am just not enthralled with the graffiti backpack. Are we wearing backpacks these days anymore anyway?

chanel-shoulder-tote-1Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

 

My Sketch Model Wasn’t Skinny Enough

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Rough Fashion Sketch by Malinda Knowles, 2012

I have a confession to make. When I first learned how to sketch fashion models and various fabrics, I remember being repeatedly chastised for drawing too wide of a nose and hips. It was like I had to re-learn the human body outside of my own shape or what I thought most people look like. Now, hey, fashion language is fashion language. And, fashion rules are ‘rules.’ Right? At this point, there’s just a few books being used to teach sketching, and an entire segment of our population is being ignored.

I’m not just talking about plus-size folks. I’m talking about anyone above a sample size. Anyone who isn’t at least five feet eight inches tall and skinny. And the largest segment, anyone who isn’t fair-skinned. It was funny that in class I naturally drew some color on my models while many others reached for the light pink marker only. Nothing wrong with that in class, but isn’t there something wrong with that in real life?

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As Fashion Week (or month) approaches, we will all wait with bated breath to see the new Spring 2014 Collections, but we will also wait to see if anyone used a different marker for their models. That is, will we see any African-Americans or just plain non-white models on the runway? Recently, designers have missed the mark. And as the rich and famous (i.e. Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kelly, Beyoncé) continue to be a muse and advertisement for designers, what does it really say that they can be photographed in the merchandise but no model on the runway can look like them?

Now you may care less and really this is not about my personal feelings. This is business. The world does not all look the same. I have admittedly not done my statistical research but from what I know, non-white women buy and enjoy high-end fashion as well.  So why not break up the monotony of those fashion sketch models and moreover real-life models on the runway and represent the true diversity of the world?

08zJPRACE1-popupAccording to the New York Times, fashion model Iman will be organizing a social media campaign at the beginning of New York Fashion Week to bring attention to the lack of diversity on the runways in the past several years. She contends that something is “terribly wrong.” Her experience in the 1980s and 1990s was that designers would routinely hire black models and now they barely hire one.

Whatever happens, I just hope that designers and the industry can wake up and see that huge business opportunities are being missed by completely ignoring of an entire group of people.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Fashion Group International’s Fall/Winter 2013 Ready to Wear Trend Presentation

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So this week I attended the Fashion Group International’s Ready to Wear Fashion Trend Presentation with host Diane von Furstenberg and discussion panelists blogger Bryanboy, Fashion Consultant Julie Gilhart, Fashion Editor Ana Maria Pimental, Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Director Colleen Sherin and Beauty Director of InStyle Magazine Amy Synnott D’Annibale.

Between the video and panel discussion, there was a lot to be said about current Ready to Wear fashion trends. The presentation mentioned several interesting trends including what I’ve been talking about on the blog; art, graphic prints and pop art on garments like that of Tom Ford’s Fall 2013 Collection (shown below) and Mary Katrantzou Spring 2011 Collection.

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Also on the trend list, 3D fabrics and ‘touchy-feely’ quality like Commes des Garcon’s rose fabric manipulation in his Fall  2013 Runway Collection shown in Paris shown below. The presentation also touched on Marc Jacob’s nightwear to red carpet lingerie looking collection, hot pants and  the Chanel runway boots shown for Fall 2013 shown at Paris Fashion Week.

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It was noted that slouchy, comfortable and less rigid handbags like those from the Celine Fall 2013 Collection (shown below) were making the trend list.

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In an amazingly patterned arm sling, Diane opened up the panel discussion asking the question: “what is fashion?” She added that “anything goes” these days as you see people wearing high and low end, mixing it all together. She also said that “everyone is a stylist. Bryanboy answered that it was about comfort; “lifestyles are different now…women work insane schedules” so they need clothing that will go from day to night.  As someone that fits into that category, I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

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The conversation continued with comments about the future of fashion shows in the digital age, accessories on the runway, Yves St. Laurent’s Collection and John Galliano’s racist remarks. Diane brought up some major points including that shoes are really not accessories since a woman thinks about where she is going and if she will have to walk first before deciding the rest of her outfit. She also mentioned that 3D printing is big now and that if you don’t know what it is you will. When asked about the price of clothes going through the roof, Diane commented saying that her wrap dress “…was 86 dollars back in the day, now it’s about 400 dollars.” She explained that “things are different” and designers have more expenses. In the past, models would bring their own shoes to runway shows.

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Moral of the story is that there are definitely trends happening but it is true that seemingly “anything goes” these days and everyone is simply adjusting to the rapid pace of change with the advent of the digital world in which we are living.

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Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

 

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Leather Leggings and Chain Boots at Chanel Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013 Show

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So, I just love the leather leggings and chain boots at the Paris Fashion Week Chanel Fall 2013 Runway Show. Chanel’s show was about the only one I have seen full of black, white and grey that completely compelled me. I always say that I only respect a fellow designer that inspires us with ingenuity or innovation. For a 100-year-old brand, we expect the best from Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld delivered this week. Check out close up photos of the white and black leather legging and chair boot below.

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 Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles