THE FEEL FREE ARTZ GROUP
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
JANELLE MONÁE SPARKS BDSM-INSPIRED BEAUTY WITH "CHAIN GANG" TRESSES
Janelle Monae‘s beauty identity has transformed so quickly right before our eyes, and it’s a beautiful sight to see. We’re seeing her bare it all (literally), and this new era of life she’s experiencing is exceptionally infectious. What’s also catching our attention is her choice of hairstyles. She has traded in her vintage tresses for a BDSM-inspired/Grace Jones moment — and it’s a serve.
Appearing as the cover star for the June 2023 issues of Rolling Stone magazine, Monae took us all by surprise with her “chain gang” locks. The headpiece was created by the buzzy brand THE BLONDS – where human hair was replaced by golden, ropey strands finished with flattering micro-bangs.
The star’s go-to hairstylist Nikki Nelms was the mastermind behind the moment and one of the key people involved in the evolution of who we know as Janelle Monae. There are many chef’s kisses due to the campiness and avant-garde display these jeweled twists give.
The comment section on Nelms’ IG feels the same way we do and if you see any of this, Nikki, we want more.
Take a closer look ahead.
QUEEN OF ROCK 'N' ROLL TINA TURNER DEAD AT AGE 83
It’s been confirmed that Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, died at the age 83.
“Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland,” her family said in a statement on Wednesday, May 24. “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
Turner began singing in 1958 for Ike Turner and his band Kings of Rythm. She then rose to fame in the early ’60s. In 1990, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame.
Throughout her music career, she released 10 studio albums, two live albums, two soundtracks, and five compilation albums. She also appeared in several films.
“My songs are a little bit of everybody’s lives who are watching me,” she told Rolling Stone in 1986. “You gotta sing what they can relate to. And there are some raunchy people out there. The world is not perfect. And all of that is in my performance … That’s why I prefer acting to singing, because with acting you are forgiven for playing a certain role. When you play that same role every night, people think that you are it. They don’t think you’re acting. That is the scar of what I’ve given myself with my career. And I’ve accepted that.”
Check out the official statement on her death below.
Monday, May 22, 2023
ART: Kasing Lung Presents Solo Exhibition “Cloud” at Hidari Zingaro
After holding his first major solo show in Kaikai Kiki Gallery back in 2022, Hong Kong illustrator and artist Kasing Lung returns to Japan with his latest exhibition “Cloud” at Hidari Zingaro.
The “Cloud” exhibition is intended as a retrospective showcase of the various pieces Lung has produced over the years. Now on view at the Tokyo gallery, a total of 40 drawings from 2022 and 2021 are being displayed — the selection comprises recognizable pieces such as PIJL, 3T, CORP, and KOB. In addition, special edition stools featuring Lung’s iconic illustrations, as well as a whole-new acrylic painting serving as a key visual to the show are also being exhibited for the first time.
As the exhibition name suggests, weather is a prominent theme in “Cloud” — according to Lung in a recent Instagram post, the idea stems from weather changes and other elements that revolve around it. Unlike the large-scale artworks that were shown at “+-” in Kaikai Kiki last year, “Cloud” takes on a more intimate approach with significantly smaller marker-on-paper drawings, which are also Lung’s go-to medium.
Kasing Lung’s “Cloud” exhibition is currently on view until April 30 across the second and third floors at Hidari Zingaro Gallery.
Hidari Zingaro
5 Chome-52-15 Nakano
Tokyo 164-0001
Japan
ART: Malik Roberts' "To Suffer a Lick" Exhibition Explores Liminality and Uncertainty
Malik Roberts will be showcasing his upcoming solo exhibition, “To Suffer a Lick,” which features thought-provoking works that invite viewers to explore their sense of liminality and uncertainty. The exhibition, to be held at Allouche Gallery in NYC, showcases a variety of dynamic and abstract compositions that highlight the artist’s unique approach to fragmenting and deconstructing figures. The pandemic inspired Roberts to create this exhibition, as it created a sense of liminality and uncertainty. The exhibition’s title, “To Suffer a Lick,” reflects the feeling of waiting for an opportunity while enduring uncertainty, capturing the sense of grace that comes with success.
Roberts uses a combination of oil, oil pastel, and charcoal on canvas, with a darker color palette highlighting a Caravaggio baroque style with a single light source. The subjects in the paintings are depicted in homelike spaces, reflecting the time Roberts spent at home during the pandemic. The line work in each piece accentuates the emotions and perspectives that Roberts wants viewers to feel.
The exhibition’s centerpiece, “Chamber of Reflections,” sets the tone for the exhibition by showcasing emotional and spatial liminality, with a bed serving as a familiar object. “A Feeling of Falling” explores the theme of hubris and uncertainty, with the subject falling into a void between light and darkness. “Ignorance is Bliss” captures the theme of turning a blind eye to problems, with a young woman sitting in front of a computer or camera, ignoring the world’s chaos behind her.
Roberts describes his style as a fragmentation and deconstruction of figures and subjects, highlighting different parts of a person’s psyche, what they may be going through or feeling. With his line detail, he tends to highlight the more expressive part of the subject and showcase another layer of a person’s personality.
Overall, “To Suffer a Lick” is a powerful exhibition that encourages viewers to explore their sense of liminality and uncertainty, with each work showcasing Roberts’s unique signature style and approach to deconstructing and fragmenting figures. The exhibition will be on display at Allouche Gallery from April 20 to May 17.
Allouche Gallery
77 Mercer St.
New York, NY 10012
MUSIC: BEYONCÉ AND JAY-Z PURCHASED A $200M USD HOME IN CALIFORNIA
Beyoncé is already spending her well-earned money as the diva and husband Jay-Z just purchased a $200 million USD mansion in Malibu, California.
The empire building-couple now call the 30,000ft² home, holing the title of the most expensive home to be purchased in the Golden State. While $200M USD is more than any of us will see in our lifetimes, the Knowles-Carters reportedly got a bargain on the estate as TMZ states that the property was initially listed for $295 million USD.
Keeping in line with the power couple’s superior taste in all things art and culture, the mansion was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who crafted a minimalist home, boasting a deeply geometric layout. From a bird’s eye view, the property is comprised of a white stone with sweeping hallways. Fittingly, the previous owner, art collector William Bell, built the home.
We love to see the Black generational wealth.
Friday, May 19, 2023
ART: Yayoi Kusama's Spotted Pumpkins Land In New York City for Biggest Exhibition to Date
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has become a legend in her own right, standing alongside legendary 21st-century names, including Picasso, Basquiat, and more. The impactful creative is now returning to New York City for her largest exhibition to date, collaborating with gallerist David Zwirner for its debut.
Located at West 19th Street in Chelsea, the showcase runs across three rooms that review Kusama’s most impactful work. The 94-year-old artist will receive lines around the block as the first-come, first-serve exhibition unveils her trademark pumpkins, maximalist flower sculptures, and an enchanting “Infinity Room.”
As Kusama’s captivating exhibition continues, 35 new EVERY DAY I PRAY FOR LOVEpaintings are presented with her recognizable speckled decor. The artist’s Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love infinity room is one of her most extensive, built inside an abstract box with geometrical windows that welcome natural light and a petite door opening. Finally, her monstrous flowers and signature pumpkins close the show, designed with exposed walkways for viewers to navigate.
Take a look inside Yayoi Kusama’s New York City exhibition by David Zwirner above. The showcase is open now at West 19th Street.
FRESH KICKS:
Ever since adidas announced that it would continue to sell YEEZY products, the race to announce its restock dates has been on.
Now, it appears that the first iteration is landing sooner than we think. The adidas UK website has currently loaded up product pages for the YEEZY 350 BOOST V2 “Zebra” and the YEEZY 500 “Utility Black” colorway on its site — leading fans to believe that an official restock is coming soon.
The decision to continue selling its archive YEEZY product comes about as a result of concerns surrounding sustainability and waste — with former fans resorting to burning their product or throwing it away, due to Kanye West’s controversial behaviour. Now, adidas hopes that it’ll be able to shift its old stock without wastage, and has plans for those who don’t wish to directly support West in purchasing YEEZY, too. A partial amount of the proceeds from the sales will go towards international organizations that were affected by Ye’s anti-Semitic statements, though the rapper will still be receiving a 15% commission, as per his contract.
Alongside adidas UK, the brand’s India website has also added an extensive lineup of new and returning YEEZY’s to its roster, including the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 and YEEZY FOAM RNNR.
The first set of releases is slated for June 1 via adidas. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
In other Kanye West news, the rapper has reportedly filed a trademark for YEEZY sock shoes.
The Foamposite lineage doesn’t garner as much attention or acclaim as it once did, especially like it did back in 2012 when its famed “Galaxy” colorway debuted, but Nike (NYSE:NKE -3.43%) will be attempting to give it new life in 2024 by releasing a handful of its classic colorways. One of the brand’s plans is to revive the Nike Air Foamposite One “Eggplant” — an iteration that first made its debut in 2009 and last hit the market in 2017.
Early imagery of the pair has yet to surface, but it’s likely that it will return with all of its original design cues. The overall design of these kicks leans on a “Varsity Purple” hue to do most of the heavy lifting. It shrouds the mid-cut sneaker’s ribbed side panels the tiny forefoot Swooshes and the stripes that appear on the tongue and heel tabs. Sitting adjacent to those components are solid black accents such as the nubuck overlays that neighbor the throat, mesh booties and the carbon fiber plate that resides in the middle of the midsoles. Downstairs, the kicks are treated with icy blue tints.
At the time of writing, Nike is targeting a Spring 2024 release, and they will be sold for an MSRP of $240 USD. Check out a 2017 pair in the gallery above while you wait on their arrival.
Warmer days are starting to show up more consistently, so New Balance is responding to the seasonal shift by gradually unveiling an assemblage of summer-ready footwear colorways. We’ve seen the New Balance 990v4 show up in clean “White/Green” and “Cream” palettes in the last week, and now the New Balance 990v6 is getting its opportunity to shine in a fresh “Cream” color scheme.
This iteration falls under Teddy Santis’ creative direction for the brand’s ever-growing MADE in USA collection. Neutral tones take charge of its visual presentation, the most pronounced being a creamy hue that fills in the base layer’s mesh upper, leather overlays and the mid-section of its mudguards. Notes of silver accents poke out through the N logos, tongue branding and “990” badges that are positioned on the lateral heels. Suede heel and toe tip overlays contrast with their beige exteriors. More of the same essence arrives down below as the sculpted midsoles are split between cream and beige panels to round off its look.
A release date is still unknown, but you can expect New Balance and select retail partners to drop these in the upcoming weeks.
Latin America has been putting itself on the sneaker map for decades and shows no signs of slowing down when delivering cultural takes on classic models. While Mexican beverage brand Jarritos recently received its own Nike SB Dunk Low, the country’s iconic sweet bread is now sugaring up a scrumptious adidas (XETRA:ADS.DE -3.30%) Superstar.
Arriving in classic vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors, the adidas Superstar “Concha” mimics the pastry with fuzzy sherpa uppers and engrained marbled textures. The previous is designed with golden scored decorations on the toe boxes, making for a delicious on-foot treat. Additional pipping runs through the medials and rears, while the former is enriched with embroidered Three Stripes branding.
adidas’ Trefoil emblem and lettering adorn the tongues, back tabs, and insoles, completing each pair with tonal rubber outsoles.
Take a closer look at the adidas Superstar “Concha” in the gallery above. The pack will release exclusively via adidas México and select retailers on May 18 for $2,399 MXN (approximately $136 USD).
Nike (NYSE:NKE -3.43%) expands its lineup for the Air Max 97 this time focusing on giving a nod to the Michigan Wolverines for the Spring/Summer 2023 season.
The shoe pays homage to the Michigan school, coming dressed in a mixed color scheme of white, midnight navy and varsity maize. The tri-color theme gives a nod to the team colors as the upper is constructed in a white mesh base. Navy and yellow contrasting accents are seen on the leather overlays while the mini Swoosh is highlighted in yellow. Additional “Air Max” branding on the tongues and back heel pull tabs are detailed in yellow too. The shoe features 3M reflective material and sits atop a solid white rubber sole with a navy underfoot.
Look out for the Nike Air Max 97 “Michigan” arriving in the coming months for $175 USD at select retailers and on Nike.
Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance continue to feed crazed streetwear enthusiasts and sneaker aficionados with a plethora of collaborative collections. And after debuting its latest pack of suede-covered 550s, the duo is set to reunite later this year to introduce a brand new Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 650 that bears a white and baby blue color scheme.
Retro basketball references are an important piece of Aimé Leon Dore‘s DNA. It’s evident in their lookbooks, products and even in their retail spaces where Teddy Santis and his crew almost always have a throwback NBA game playing on its store TVs. While these kicks have no official ties to the University of North Carolina, it’s safe to say that these are likely inspired by Michael Jordan and his time playing as a Tar Heel given that this palette is so iconic in the sneakers sphere. Mesh and leather panels up top are predominantly covered in white while baby blue trim rests on the borders of the N logos, collars, and interior liners. ALD’s signature hoops logo is debossed into the heels in tonal fashion on the left heel while the New Balance emblem is situated on the right.
Expect more information about these to surface in the coming months.
adidas (XETRA:ADS.DE -3.30%) has allowed a handful of partners to put their own twist on its NMD S1 such as Pharrell and RIMOWA. And this season, the brand is reuniting with military-inspired fashion label Hamcus to release its own interpretation of the lifestyle silhouette.
The Guangzhou-based imprint and the Three Stripes first unveiled their collaborative partnership back in December 2022 when they revealed a collection or technical and overtly militaristic apparel silhouettes that were built for winter. For this footwear team-up, Hamcus’ signature design language is evident in the pair’s look and build. Knitted uppers are done up with a dune-like light brown hue and feature pleated toe boxes and patch-like heel overlays, the latter of which is reminiscent of patches on a soldier’s jacket. The lacing system has been remixed with a black bungee cord and bolts have been added around the lace loops and heel tabs to spruce up the kicks with a more technical aesthetic. Down below, the semi-chunky sole unit is dialed to a similar brown hue to match up with the base.
Look for these to release on May 19 exclusively through Hamcus for ¥1,599 Yuan (approx $230 USD).
FASHION: KIM KARDASHIAN STARS IN SKIMS' NEW SWIM SHOP CAMPAIGN
SKIMS just announced the return of its highly-anticipated Swim Shop, with a new campaign starring founder Kim Kardashian.
Offering a vibrant selection of over 10 new swimwear silhouettes, the new-and-improved swim shop includes reinvented cover-ups, swimwear accessories and layering pieces. Standout parts of the collection include the new micro scoop top, micro mini skirt, long-sleeved bikini top and strapless monokini.
Elsewhere, the selection of cover-ups includes cotton and mesh sarongs and long-sleeved dresses, made to match with every cut of swimwear. What’s most exciting, is the introduction of new hair accessories, made to be worn to the pool, the beach and everywhere in between. Arriving in the form of the seamless headband and SKIMS hair clip, the accessories feature vivid hues of “Blonde,” “Neon Green,” “Auburn,” “Brunette,” and “Onyx.”
The new SKIMS Swim Shop is available to purchase from the brand’s website from February 21.
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