we love having a front row seat to watch all the creativity of our artists. there is one common theme all artists share the need to create. gallery artist sally king benedict is the perfect example. her most recent collaboration with good friend marysia reeves who is the mastermind behind marysia swim shows what two artistically talented individuals can do together. thinking outside the box by translating a painting into swimwear. it is the perfect mix with the end results mimicking brushstrokes of color painted on the fabrics. hidell brooks will take one of each please!

designer marysia dobrzanska reeves, of luxe swim brand marysia, celebrated her new resort swimwear collection in collaboration with abstract artist sally king benedict on wednesday, september 23 in west hollywood. the intimate cocktail gathering was held on the patio of vegan mexican restaurant gracias madre on melrose, where attendees including lauren conrad, perrey reeves and hannah ware mingled and drank mezcals under glimmering strung lights while browsing the new watercolor-inspired line of bikinis, maillots, caftans and dresses.

an interview with sally from marysia's blog:

when did you and marysia first meet and how did you become friends?

“i met her at one of her first trunk shows in charleston in 2007, and then we did a pop up show together about a year later. we have been supportive and friends ever since while also making time for some fun traveling on the side.”

how did the collaboration come about?

“it was natural because we share a lot of similarities in aesthetics and inspiration. marysia had always been attracted to a piece i had done in 2008….which we used for the basis of the design. it was her idea and my honor to work together on this collection. ”

what was the inspiration behind the stripe?

“it’s really a way i incorporate and experiment with color theory. i love the classic pattern and style of a stripe and applying color variations and different linear technique has always intrigued me because there are endless possibilities.”

can you tell us a bit about your process?

“i work predominately intuitively in the studio. i simply use the materials i’m most drawn to that day and just start.”

what inspires your work?

“there is so much that saturates me creatively and i try to focus on being genuine and natural in what i’m doing, so less is more. i don’t necessarily seek out inspiration….there’s already enough coming in on its own.”

what is the most rewarding part of your work?

“i can use it in ways i never imagined. to donate and help raise money for charities is very rewarding.”

what was your favorite part of the collab process?

“that its truly two visions coming together and creating one product. i have loved the surprise of each design. every piece is beyond what i expected! marysia continues to reinvent the wheel for swim/resort wear making it very hard to choose a favorite!”

which collab piece is your favorite?

“i love the venice maillot as well as the antibes maillot in the dark stripe.”

if you had to, could you pick a favorite piece from your portfolio?

“jumby face”

a former ballet dancer and surfing enthusiast, polish-born designer marysia dobrzanska reeves has created a luxury swimwear brand that epitomizes poolside style. the line, launched in 2009, eschews trendy prints and typical cuts for perfectly executed silhouettes in premium fabrics. having spent most of her life in either a ballet leotard or a wetsuit, she has created a totally modern style that’s always fresh and effortless. marysia’s bikinis, maillots and cover-ups can be seen on the beaches of montauk to biarritz. the brand has been featured in leading publications such as vogue and harper’s bazaar, with a growing celebrity following. it is sold worldwide at over 100 retailers and stocked at stores such as net-a-porter, lane crawford, and moda operandi.

paintings by sally in marysia home in la

also earlier this year sally collaborated with mac & murphy in charlestion, south carolina on a line of stationary which featured the swimwear.

new paintings by sally king benedict will arrive at hidell brooks the end of october. please email the gallery if you are interested in acquiring one of her paintings and we will notify via email!