October 12, 2009
Artist Leslie Hewitt in Nzinga Knight blouse at MoMA’s New Photography opening reception
On 9/30/09 I attended the opening reception for New Photography exhibit at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art).
Leslie Hewitt is one of the six artists whose work is currently on display at this prestigious museum. In Leslie’s work then she creates compositions of deliberately chosen objects and creates specific arrangements which she then photographs. She makes you question what’s real in color perception and in the various things that our eye presents us with as well as the untold histories of the everyday.
For this event Leslie chose to wear a design from my upcoming collection. Of which she now owns 2, a black version (seen here) and a white one.
October 12, 2009
Can’t take it with You- Photographs of Muslims In America 2002 – 2009 by Omar Mullick
Thursday was the opening reception for artist friend Omar Mullick’s show “Can’t take it with You- Photographs of Muslims In America 2002 – 2009″ at Gallery FCB.
The postcard image for the show
Presented in this show are photographs that Omar has taken as he documented Muslims in America for the past 7 years. We see the range of Muslim ethnicities, lifestyles and professions across America as well as images from important events like the funeral of Warith D Mohammed. I like that there seemed to be a kind observance of the subject and in the subject I saw a natural self expression and dignity. Another thing that I like about the show is the inclusiveness of it. A variety of ethnicities, age groups and professions were represented here. Lastly the photographer had a nice style. The images were in black and white and the angles seemed appropriate for the subject matter. When kids were playing there seemed to be a fish eye, panoramic view suitable for the loopy, exhilarated feel of childs play and when a child lay in front of the corridor in a half way house the door behind her seemed to go no where and be daunting as if a real home had escaped her.
I think that the art writer said it best: Anchored in the photographic traditions of Walker Evans, Robert Frank and Gordon Parks, Mullick’s work stitches together an intimate, visual tapestry of the American Muslim experience from within and, in the process, expands on the visual record of who we understand to be Americans.
The above picture is a picture of me was taken in March 09 in my home. I was either releasing or trying to catch the fabric. I can imagine that it was large task to edit photos taken over the course of 7 years. During this shoot I think that Omar used two rolls of film in 1.5 hours.
Can’t take it with You is on view at Gallery FCB (16 west 23rd street 3rd fl NY NY 10010) until November 5, 2009.
September 10, 2009
Custom made by Nzinga
One of the things that I love is that one on one interaction with a client. It’s a wonderful feeling when a woman tries on a garment in front of me and I get to realize that through my talents she has fulfilled some beauty aspiration of hers… the desire to be stylish.
So yesterday one of my favorite clients came over to be fitted for a design that I am creating for her for her upcoming exhibit at the MOMA. When creating a design for the first time then I create a prototype out of muslin first this way I get to see how it’s fitting on a real person and get feedback from the wearer. So as this was an original design created for her I created a muslin first. Once she came in then behind the shoji screen she went and then out she came with the muslin on. Leslie was ecstatic! She loved the design. There’s somewhat of an inside out thing going on with how the belt passes through the waist “loops” so some parts of the shirt come near the body with the belt and then others are away at the waist area. The lines are crisp. At the belts final exit from the shirt it ties in front. The shirt looks so good on her and that wasn’t even the beautiful fabric that the final design will be in. She was so happy and thanked me. She then asked “is it okay if I buy 2?” My answer, “Yeah!”.
June 3, 2009
Interview on CBS Channel 2 during 5 o’clock news today!
Insha’allah you get to see the CBS interview. It was a good interview and the producer asked great questions and was easy going. If not, then it’ll be posted to the site soon.
I look forward to working with CBS and their affiliates again.
* A note about insha’allah- it’s like saying hopefully or god willing.
Funny fact- I once worked at a fashion company that used factories in Syria, Egypt and several other places globally. The head of the production and other staff would say Insha’allah as they spoke to the factories oversees about deadlines ETD’s etc. My coworkers weren’t Muslim or Arabic speakers…. but they understood the lingo. It’s all in gods hands, we just have to do our part!
June 2, 2009
CBS news interview
Nzinga Knight will be interviewed by CBS news tomorrow 6/3/09…. more on that later!
May 5, 2009
Fashioning Faith film screening
You are invited to attend the screening of Fashioning Faith, a film about American Muslim fashion designers. Fashioning Faith heavily features yours truly (me) along with interviews with other designers.
Here’s the info from Yasmin Moll…..
Fashioning Faith Screening
a documentary about Muslim-American fashion designers
| Host: |
Yasmin Moll
|
| Type: | |
| Network: |
Global
|
| Date: |
Saturday, May 9, 2009
|
| Time: |
6:00pm – 10:00pm
|
| Location: |
NYU Cantor Film Centre
|
| Street: |
36 East 8th St, Theatre 200
|
| City/Town: |
New York, NY
|
| Email: |
Description
My documentary debut “Fashioning Faith” takes a look at Muslim clothing designers in New York City who struggle to combine high fashion with a high sense of piety. Their designs aim to stay true to Islamic principles of feminine modesty while attempting to break into a fashion scene marked more by exposed shoulders than covered hair. In the process these young women designers are redefining what it means to be a modern Muslim in contemporary America.
I look forward to meeting you there.
March 19, 2009
Nzinga Knight on WABC-TV Channel 7’s “New York Viewpoint,” March 15, 2009
Nzinga Knight (Nzinga Knight International) appeared on “New York Viewpoint” with Ken Rosato, discussing her prize-winning business plan in the PowerUp! Competition.
March 18, 2009
Metro NY interview
Just Monday I was interviewed by Metro news paper. You know… the one that they give out all over the city and is also free and in the orange news case. It was a good interview. And then yesterday the photographer came by my studio to take pictures of me for the article. It was cool.
This is my favorite picture from the shoot. Well see which one they use. It’s a feature article and it should be out in a few days.
