Today, Walker & Company Brands, a company that makes health and beauty simple for people of color by developing products and services tailored to their unique needs, has announced that they’ve raised $24 million in a Series B round of funding led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP). The company, which owns Bevel products (a shaving system made for people of color), has also announced a partnership with Target to sell its flagship shaving product both in stores and online.

The bottom line: $24 million brings the company’s investments to a whopping $33.3 million dollars with names like John Legend, Magic Johnson and Ryan Leslie all involved as individual investors. In addition to no doubt bolstering Bevel, the new money will also help build out the research and development team. The company has already begun working on a new brand that “addresses an acute health or beauty need for women of color.“

Why it matters: A black-owned (owner Tristan Walker above) health and beauty company addressing the needs of men and women of color with investment by notable celebrities of color? That’s definitely something we can get behind.

Though Target isn’t slated to have Bevel’s product on shelves until early 2016, you can buy it online now.
What do you think?

• Empire is taking over again and we’re all the better for it, fashion-wise. The New York Times published an inside look featuring Taraji P. Henson herself, the costume designers from Season 1 and 2, and Lee Daniels on the inspiration behind Cookie’s upcoming ensembles. Long story short, Cookie sells! (Take a look at Saks’ Empire-inspired curated collections from earlier this year). Judith Leiber will be selling a series of Cookie-style crystal-studded clutches later this year with Saks’ rival, Neiman Marcus. (NY Times)

• We’re always on the hunt for new fashion books! This Just In: Tales From The Back Row: An Outsider’s View From Inside The Fashion Industry by Amy Odell. You may recognize Odell from her stunt as founding blogger of New York Magazine’s The Cut or as the newest editor at Cosmopolitan.com. Tales From The Back Row (#TFTBR anyone?) takes its readers on a honest and witty journey of Odell’s own experiences navigating the fashion industry. (CT News)

• Another book-to-watch, #beautiful by Luis Casco, is out this week. Makeup artist Casco analyzed 8,000+ selfies of 26 different women to determine how to take your best selfie. #beautiful not only shares camera angle advice, but also provides detailed tips on how to apply makeup for your most flattering snaps. (NY Times)

• After selling out in 3 hours during pre-sale last week, we encouraged FashionBombDaily readers to pick up their own pair when they went live on Puma.com this weekend. Too late! Now, her Puma Creeper sneaker is completely sold out! Riri posted on IG “but how??? Thank you for your tremendous support!! There’s hardly a greater feeling than yall f***kin wit my s**t!!!” in a show of gratitude. Keep it up, Riri! (BET)

• Beyoncé on Scandal?! In a recent Sirius XM Town Hall session on Friday, Kerry Washington shared the following: “It would be great to have somebody like Beyoncé on the show, because any time Beyoncé does anything, it makes the world stop, and I would just be happy.” We like how you’re thinking, Kerry Washington! (Entertainment Weekly)

Fashion’s finest were at amfAR Milano 2015 in sultry sheer designs, leggy frocks, come hither red lips, and more.

Let’s get into their looks shall we?

As the face of Cavalli’s Fall line, it was no surprise that Ciara was clad in a look from the brand. It was a lot to digest, but we know that the fashion house is definitely of the “more is more” mindset.

Queen Mother Naomi Campbell showed she’s not new to this, but true to this in a long-sleeve sheer black lace Margiela gown. Hot!

Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her mile-long stems in a long-sleeve yellow embellished DSquared2 number. This was a bit too Balmain for my taste, but fabulous nonetheless.

After attending the Italian fashion house’s Spring 2016 show, Heidi Klum showcased her enviable figure in a sultry design from the Atelier Fall collection. She’s gorgeous—there’s no doubt about it!

Nina Garcia kept it simple and chic in a short-sleeve black embellished gown with a deep v-neckline and front slit.

I wanted a little shimmer and sparkle from Michelle Rodriguez’s look. Or perhaps a bit more dramatic hair and makeup? Alas, her Alaia dress was great! It just needed something extra to draw your eyes to its detailing.

Blogging babe and style maven Chiara Ferragni followed Alessandra’s lead, baring her gams in a Louis Vuitton metallic mini dress. Cute no?

I loved the feminine spin on Eva Cavalli’s menswear-inspired look. It was a perfect study in both the brand’s penchant for drama and great tailoring.

All hail Debbie Harry! The Blondie frontwoman and style icon donned a sequin LBD for the party. This is how you slay at 70 kids!

Binx Walton also tried on the sheer dress trend for size in a calf-length embroidered number with long sleeves and a high neck.

Who had your favorite look at the f&ecute;te?

Selena Gomez is literally stepping out in multiple looks daily! While making an appearance at BBC Radio 1 Studios in London, she slipped on an Antonio Berardi Fall 2015 Long Sleeve Beaded Dress and Charlotte Olympia Gilda Sandals:

Her dress was paired with matching leather booties on the brand’s Fall 2015 runway.

She looked great.

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

Hot! or Hmm… Selena Gomez’s BBC Radio 1 Studios Antonio Berardi Fall 2015 Long Sleeve Beaded Dress

Hot! Selena looks gorgeous

Hmm…this was a bit too much for me

 

pollcode.com free polls

Kerry Washington showed off her toned gams at the 2015 Global Citizen Festival in a Balenciaga Resort 2016 Strapless Lace Up Dress and $375 Nicholas Issa Mesh Pumps:

Her dress was paired with black and white ankle-wrap sandals in the brand’s Resort 2016 collection.

Her black mesh pumps feature beige cap toes, a pointed-toe silhouette, and 4.5″ heels.

Gorgeous! She’s been killing it in the style department this month.

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

Hot! or Hmm… Kerry Washington’s 2015 Global Citizen Festival Balenciaga Resort 2016 Strapless Lace Up Dress and Nicholas Issa Mesh Pumps

Hot! Kerry looks stunning

Hmm…I’d pass on this

 

pollcode.com free polls

Whereas previous collections may have been designed with the Italian woman in mind, Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2016 RTW Collection seemed poised for the foreign tourist who wanted to capture her own tiny piece of Italian culture. Over 20% of looks carried phrases on them, including Italia is Love, Bella Italia, Italia Forever and popular Italian spots, such as Portofino, Rome, and Pisa. Every once in awhile, a model rocked a Dolce & Gabbana shopping bag, looking simply gleeful with her purchase — this was a very interesting decision for the brand, perhaps to hint at the accessibility of these runway looks in an unabashed hope to drive sales.

Models literally walked down the runway with their iPhones in bedazzled Dolce & Gabbana cases and took selfies. The atmosphere was festive and the attire ranged the gamut from formalwear and beach cover-ups to sleeping ensembles and party dresses. There were so many options, which I was excited to see! In 91 looks, there was the signature D&G black lace bustier and high-waisted skirt, silk pajamas made as daywear, suiting with surprise sequin appliqués, mandarin collar tops, stripes and polka dots, reference to Mary Mother of Jesus, paint strokes on full dresses, and knitwear.

My favorite bits were the accessories: over-embellished sunglasses that rose far above the brow line, a vintage camera clutch, floral headphones, cigar box bags, and decorated straw baskets. Not the most fancy of Dolce & Gabbana accessories, but certainly the most fun! They each had this ‘found’ quality, very much like the special knick-knacks one might hope to find when shopping in tourist jaunts abroad.

The army of postcard dresses at the end summed the show up well, reminding the audience of the joy of discovery in travel, especially in a country as diverse as Italy. For all the stuffiness and seriousness that Fashion Month can bring, creative directors Domenico and Stefano wanted us to just live a little and enjoy the moment.

What do you think of Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2016 RTW Collection?

Source: Vogue.com

 

Leigh-Anne Pinnock posed on Instagram in an $86 Rare London Black Double High Split Maxi Dress:

Her sexy maxi dress features long sleeves, double thigh-high slits, and cutout banding that crawls up to the torso.

This definitely wasn’t for the faint of heart!

Get Leigh-Anne’s frock for a steal here.

Would you wear it?

Kendall Jenner sported a retro-inspired twist on denim while in Sherman Oaks. For her day out, she wore a $339 Frame Denim Francoise Jumpsuit and $595 Fendi Ponpon Bag Charm:

Her stretch denim jumpsuit features a spread collar, hidden front closure, elbow-length sleeves, chest flap pockets, front continental pockets, a fitted silhouette, belt loops, and legs that slightly flare at the knee.

Her blue fox fur key ring showcases a calf leather strap and a gold-tone brass clasp.

Hot!

If you’re up for the splurge, get Kendall’s jumpsuit here and a more colorful iteration of her charm here.

Thoughts?

Zoe Saldana was white hot at the go90 Sneak Peek in a Maiyet Spring 2016 White Knit Plaid Dress:

Her look was paired with embellished slides on the Spring 2016 runway.

A bit conservative, but I liked this!

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

Hot! or Hmm… Zoe Saldana’s go90 Sneak Peek Maiyet Spring 2016 White Knit Plaid Dress

Hot! Loving this look on Zoe

Hmm…boring!

 

pollcode.com free polls