MELISSA LESLIE

You might remember the fine Melissa Leslie as a former Top Notch of the Week and to call her a triple threat would be an understatement. This woman has more talent than she is beautiful (as if that’s possible) and her art is a window into her heart and mind. In her own words: “My work involves my presence be it in the portrait or the pure essence of the way I move my characters…. I love the figure and believe there is nothing more complicated than the human form and the human mind. For all people are different and shaped by each and every incident that happened in their life…no two people can ever be the same in this sense…therefore making each human a monumental structure with a story so unique it could never be fully captured in one book or in one picture…But there is one moment before after or during an activity or thought you can capture in the human expression. This is what I strive for. Time is so valuable and if you give a glimpse of time to see into your soul….so much can be revealed and appreciated.” I just wanted to give a Turbo City salute to Melissa, because she exemplifies Turbo City to the fullest. If you’re an artist and would like to be featured on State of the Art, shoot an e-mail to clevelanddawg216@yahoo.com

Make sure to check out Melissa Leslie’s website and myspace pages:
http://mloveism.com/
http://www.mlovestudio.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mloveart
http://www.myspace.com/melissajleslie

HELLZ 2009 SUMMER COLLECTION

Summer’s fast approaching and the heat is on as Hellz brings the sizzle with its Summer 2009 Collection, SO LOLITA. So Lolita exudes a modern day coquette… She’s unpredictable playing it up with the high fashion “Hellz Naw” jacket to the raw “Gun It” dress while maintaining an idealism of Black is NOW but Color is ALWAYS, bringing forth a vamped up innocence.

The collection offers a variety of cut and styles to complete any females wardrobe including key staple summer looks, from a range of volume bubble skirts to edgy studded vest to the graphic tees synonymous to Hellz. Taking the construction of the line to new heights, Hellz revamped silhouettes and wear ability by providing light weight nylon jackets for a stylish look in comfort.

http://www.hellz-bellz.com/

FUTURA x NIKE DUNK HIGH “FLOM” LIVESTRONG GREATEST HITS PACK

To raise awareness for the global fight against cancer, Nike Sportswear has re-designed eight of its most coveted and iconic collaborations from the last decade and will re-release them as part of this exclusive LIVESTRONG Collection. Split into two installments, the first four-shoe pack drops in July during the Tour de France and features what can only be described as ‘holy grails’ of the sneaker scene.

Only one name holds the same revered stature in the sneaker game as Mister Cartoon and that would be East Coast brethren, Futura. A long-term collaborative partner, NY’s Futura has worked with Nike on numerous occasions providing design innovation at every step. For LIVESTRONG, he updated his most desired shoe, the FLOM (aka For the Love Of Money). Originally released by Nike SB and limited to only 24 pairs, the FLOM was gifted to friends leaving collectors yearning all over the world. This July, they’ll get their chance to make amends.

-Kix-Files

LADY GAGA ROLLING STONE COVER SHOOT [VIDEO]