June 04, 2020 at 11:31PM Continue Reading… Author | Elle Selected by CWC
Day: June 4, 2020
‘We’re Warriors, But It Hurts’: What It’s Like to Be a Black Lives Matter Activist Right Now
June 04, 2020 at 10:35PM Continue Reading… Author | Elle Selected by CWC
Texture Talk: Celebrity Hairstylist Kahh Spence Chats Wig Maintenance and Caring for Curls
June 04, 2020 at 10:00PM Welcome to Texture Talk, our weekly column that celebrates and deep dives into the dynamic world of curly hair, from crowns of curls that are free flowing to hair that’s tucked away in a protective style. This week, a textured hair expert to the stars shares his dos and don’ts when it comes to wig and curl maintenance. If you haven’t heard of Kahh Spence, keep scrolling. At just 25 years old, Spence already counts superstars Kehlani, Cardi B, Ella Mai, and Yara Shahidi as clients, and is the founder of his own unisex beauty brand. Known mainly for his custom wigs, the Brooklyn-born, self-taught hairstylist and OGX Beauty brand ambassador is behind many of Cardi B’s ever changing looks, and shares that his first encounter with the female rapper was the year before the juggernaut’s meteoric rise to fame with the release of her single Bodak Yellow. But the rising Brooklynite’s real break came a few months later when R&B singer Kehlani asked him to join her on tour. “Probably the second time I worked with her she asked me to go on tour, and I’ve been working with her ever since,” he says. Spence credits the clout of social media for gaining him his celeb visibility; it is the way Cardi’s publicist reached out to him, after all, he reveals. “I feel like it’s opened over 112,000 peoples eyes to me,” he says of his amassed following. “They get to see me, what
The Biggest Risk I Take Is Loving the Black Men in My Life
June 04, 2020 at 10:07PM Instead of scratch-offs and powerball numbers, like millions of Black women in America, I gamble by loving Black men. Continue Reading… Author | Elle Selected by CWC
The New #PullUpOrShutUp Campaign is Asking Beauty Brands to Do More Than Donate
June 04, 2020 at 08:52PM A new campaign is making waves on social media – and with good reason. #PullUpOrShutUp is the brainchild of Uoma Beauty founder, Sharon Chuter, and its aim is to hold beauty brands to account on their commitment to standing in solidarity with the Black community. Over the past few days we’ve seen an outpouring of beauty brands donating to various Black Lives Matter causes, however Chuter – who, before starting her own beauty brand, was the head of Corporations for Benefit at LVMH – is concerned that some of these donations may simply be PR stunts. “You can’t say Black lives matter publicly when you don’t show us Black lives matter within your homes and your organizations,” Chuter said in a series of videos posted to her Instagram account, before asking her followers to pause their spending for 72 hours until these brands released the number of Black people they have in corporate and leadership positions. In the clips, Chuter explained that in the US, Black people make up just eight per cent of corporate roles, a little over three per cent in management positions and that there are only four Fortune 500 companies with Black CEOs. “These corporations, who are the gatekeepers of jobs, have starved us for the longest time. They’ve pushed us out, and they’ve marginalized us and they’ve oppressed us by doing nothing and staying silent which is exactly what is happening even in this moment,” she says. View this post
Banana Republic Isn’t Just Pledging a $20M Clothing Donation: The Brand’s Doing More
June 04, 2020 at 08:42PM Over the past few months, we’ve spotlighted fashion businesses stepping up and taking action, whether it’s to help support Americans affected by the COVID-19 crisis or to stand behind the Black community with donations, acknowledging the racially unjust murder of George Floyd and the larger conversation surrounding Black Lives Matter. Brands with a large platform can and should acknowledge voices that are struggling in America, and Banana Republic – notably a part of parent company Gap Inc. – is striving to make a difference. BR teamed up with Delivering Good to donate more than $20 million of new clothing to those in need in order to help America get back to work. It’s a project they’re calling “Will Work For a Better Republic,” and it comes after months of actionable Instagram posts the brand has put up, all of which are meant to encourage positive thinking. “By supporting Delivering Good [an organization that helps kids and families through tragedies], Banana Republic is helping men and women across the US, including those facing poverty, homelessness, and job loss. Among our network of more than 700 community partners, we will focus this donation on nonprofits with workforce training and re-entry programs and markets that have been especially affected by the current crises. This donation will have such a positive impact on men, women and disadvantaged young adults,” said Delivering Good President and CEO Lisa Gurwitch. In effort to promote equality, Banana Republic has also come together with
The CFDA Announces New Initiatives to Address Systemic Racism Within the Fashion Industry
June 04, 2020 at 08:31PM After demonstrations have been held across the United States to protest the unjust death of George Floyd, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, aka the CFDA, has announced a series of actionable initiatives they will be setting in place immediately. With many designers like Brother Vellies’s Aurora James calling for action from larger corporations, it’s about time we see organizations within the fashion community, like the CFDA, speak up on how they will be supporting the Black community. Steven Kolb, The president and CEO of the CFDA, and designer Tom Ford, who is the Chairman, outlined a list of tasks that will be undertaken by the organization to strive for change within the fashion industry. “The CFDA will create an in-house employment program specifically charged with placing Black talent in all sectors of the fashion business to help achieve a racially balanced industry. This program will be tasked with identifying Black creatives and pairing these individuals with companies looking to hire. The CFDA will also create a mentorship program and an internship program focused on placing Black students and recent graduates within established companies in the fashion sector. The CFDA will implement and make available to our members a Diversity and Inclusion training program. We will make immediate contributions and take up fundraising activities in support of charitable organizations aimed at equalizing the playing field for the Black community such as, but not limited to the NAACP and Campaign Zero – amongst others.” The
9 Beautiful Engagement Ring Stories From LGBTQ+ Couples
June 04, 2020 at 07:05PM All LBGTQ+ couples are different, so when it comes to engagement rings and exchanging vows, there are no set rules about the bling that comes with the declaration of love. Some couples gift each other rings upon proposal, while others hand-pick their stones and bands together, ordering them from the same company or boutique so there’s less of a surprise, but lots of room for personalization. A lot of people have partners that don’t like to wear jewelry at all, and that’s cool, too. Just like with all of the other little bridal details, the options are endless. I’ll never forget when my sister sent me a text message: “How can I figure out Megan’s ring size?” she asked me, after having already ordered her girlfriend a promise ring that ended up barely even fitting over the knuckle of her pinky. At least it wasn’t a diamond! Luckily, they have time to practice and dream up some options, since they both want to wear engagement rings down the road but prefer very different styles. They may even learn a thing or two from some of the couples I talked to below – lifestyle blogger Allie sneakily hacked onto her wife’s Etsy account to find out what designs she had been saving, while Bobby, senior market editor at Who What Wear, and his partner, Robbie, knew from the start they wanted something classic and timeless, thereby vowing to go on all future ring hunts together. The
Uoma Beauty Founder Launches #PullUpOrShutUp to Raise Awareness About the Lack of Black Beauty Executives
June 04, 2020 at 07:00PM Here’s how to put the pressure on your favorite beauty brands to do more than just donate. Continue Reading… Author | Elle Selected by CWC
Streetwear Designer Samuel Ross Has Pledged $31,000 to Support Black-Owned Businesses
June 04, 2020 at 05:51PM Samuel Ross of A-Cold-Wall is the latest designer to show his support of Black Lives Matter in a meaningful way. With demonstrations being held across the United States protesting the unjust death of George Floyd, some people in the fashion community are providing actionable ways they are addressing systemic racism. Designers like Brother Vellies’ Aurora James issued a powerful call to action and demanded a pledge from large companies to buy 15 percent of products from Black designers, and Samuel is the latest designer who has stepped up to do his part as well. The London-based designer of the streetwear label has pledged to support Black-owned businesses by setting up 10 individual grants that equal a total of $31,000. In addition to the grants, the designer is also making a donation of $12,500 in financial aid to Black Lives Matter. In an Instagram post, Samuel stated that his team is working in real time, and applications for the grants are now open. Interested parties should submit their requests by emailing foundation@a-cold-wall.com. Another amazing thing Samuel did to show the sense of urgency on this issue? He stated that the grants will be available within a 12-to-72-hour window. In a separate post, the designer went on to list grant categories, and they range from retail and fashion to agriculture and farming. Keep reading to see the posts. Related: #PullUp For These Fashion Brands, Because They're All Giving Back to the Black Community More Celeb News Author