Fernando Luis Alvarez

Fernando Luis Alvarez was born in Greenwich, CT, but spent his early childhood in Colombia, South America. At the age of 12, he returned to the United States where his passion for art developed with make-up in his aunt’s bathroom. After ruining many tubes of lipstick, Alvarez began working with paper and paint and spent most of his adolescent years teaching himself about art.

In junior high school, Alvarez met up-and-coming artist, Keith Haring, and followed Haring as he tagged the New York City subways. Alvarez pursued studies in International Business and Finance at the Richmond University in London as a young adult, but always remained involved in the arts. He was influenced by the likes of Haring and Basquiat, yet his artistic flair and style remain uniquely his own.

Decades of observing a woman’s mouth instead of her eyes have made the image of lips Alvarez’ most powerful and lasting signature. No matter the size, his ‘lips’ consume his paintings and spread out on his canvas. “My lips mirror the strength deeply ingrained in every woman,” he decrees.

In 2010, three of Alvarez’ works have been selected to showcase in the new luxury Le Meridien, Philadelphia, PA. In the same year, Saks and Chanel has collaborated with Alvarez to launch a new line of lipsticks for the French design house, Rouge Coco.