The Funk Boutique: Icons Served Us All Black HerStory Month

Additionally, the second of the trio of W’s covers features Kirsten Dunst, Rashida Jones and Elle Fanning in 1980s glamour shot by Sofia Coppola. The shoot was directed virtually and let us quickly acknowledge the pure elegance that Rashida Jones brought to her cover. From the delicate floral wallpaper to the Valentino dress to the lemons coming out of a very ornate vase, she is giving us very regal vibes. She also lays on a perfectly manicured lawn next to a flower garden and I can honestly say I’ll never look that good laying on the ground.

The shoot and accompanying article explore the connection that each woman has with the characters of their films and how the experience connected them to Coppola, who recently directed Jones in On the Rocks (2020).

Jones shares her unique connection to her character in that film and the real-life perspective she and Coppola share. From a press release shared with The Root, the eldest daughter of Quincy Jones admits: “I, too, have struggled with my awesome father—whom I love so much, who’s a big figure in my life and in the world—and having to figure out who I am without him.”

Topicals, a unique and groundbreaking skincare company founded by Olamide Olowe, is now available at Sephora online. Developed to target solutions for skin conditions such as eczema and hyperpigmentation, the brand gained popularity in 2020 ; now, Topicals is one of eight brands selected to participate in Sephora Accelerate––a highly sought-after beauty incubator that supports BIPOC-beauty brands. Topicals’ mission is to help consumers feel their best without jeopardizing their skin. Says Olowe in a press release provided to The Glow Up: “Sephora is the best at storytelling and creating fun beauty experiences. Chronic skin conditions have never been a part of the beauty conversation and I’m excited to be partnering with Sephora to change the narrative to celebrate funner flare-ups.”

While we may be stuck inside watching old movies and gawking at the fashion, Janelle Monáe and Ralph Lauren are living in it. Ralph Lauren knows how to do many things, and one of them is how to throw an extravagant party. So when the spring 2021 collection was released on March 25, he wasn’t going to not celebrate. Instead, he enlisted Janelle Monáe for a live performance, even though there was no audience. Dressed in white tuxedo pants, a very dapper winged tuxedo jacket and bow-tie, the singer traveled back in time to Old Hollywood and opened a 20-minute performance with Frank Sinatra’s “All or Nothing At All.” Taking place in a showroom with large archways, crystal chandeliers and a full band, Monáe embraces the greats—Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald—and loses her jacket as she gives an amazing performance of her 2010 hit, “Tightrope.”

Grace Wales Bonner’s long-awaited second Adidas Originals partnership has finally dropped. The spring 2021 collection, “Essence,” was first introduced in September 2020 at Paris men’s fashion week, Vogue reminds us. Bonner’s first collection was dedicated to the British-Jamaican community in London, particularly in the ’70s and her father’s influence on her life. “Essence” will continue to embrace and explore her Caribbean heritage, particularly through the lens of the ‘80s fashion, and bring a different vibrancy to this collection. “Essence” features clothing (tailored to all body shapes of both men and women) and footwear. Bonner offers up another remix of the three-striped Adidas Samba shoe, a tailored blue tracksuit, woven sets and a stylish spin on a traditional tracksuit.

As of March 30, you can shop collections from fashion icons such as Zerina Akers, Misa Hylton, Amina Abdul Jillil, Allen Onyia and Ouigi Theodore at select Macy’s retailers and online. This new project from Macy’s highlights pioneering Black fashion and style figures who are paving way for more and more Black designers in large retail spaces. The collections are exclusively offered at Macy’s and will be available until the merchandise is sold out.

“We’re using this moment to tell their stories and provide our fashion-devoted customers with exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces to help them express their personal style,” says Durand Guion, Macy’s vice president from New York Post

The collections offer ready-to-wear pieces, menswear and shoes. Each collection is distinct and fits the unique perspective of each designer. Each style icon offers a small conversation and spotlight with Macy’s on their page, giving insight into their process and who they are as designers.

In the official press release provided by Macy’s, luxury shoe designer Aminah Abdul Jillil says: “This collaboration is exciting to me because it means for me, personally that dreams come true. That hard work pays off. That being different and not like everyone else is OK.”

“The collection includes lots of hidden references & details. I stayed true to my love of classic items & to making things contemporary & future proof.”— Menswear designer, Ouigi Theodore