Photo: Courtesy of Ami Cole
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Ami Colé secures L’Oréal investment and Sephora expansion
Just three years after its founding, Ami Colé products will be available in all Sephora stores across the United States and in several Canadian locations. The brand will also receive investment from L’Oréal‘s venture capital fund, Bold. The brand boasts approximately 75% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024, and its next steps include expansion into the European and UK markets. {Fashionista inbox}
Photo: Courtesy of Wales Bonner
Photo: Courtesy of Wales Bonner
Photo: Courtesy of Wales Bonner
Wales Bonner and David Alaba launch internship program
Wales Bonner and Austrian soccer player David Alaba partnered with Mentoring Matters to launch the Wales Bonner and David Alaba Internship Programme, a paid internship opportunity offering mentorship, experience and support to two fashion school graduates from Black or Black mixed-heritage backgrounds. Recipients will complete a six-month internship at the Wales Bonner studio in London as either a design and product intern or a marketing and communications intern. Applications close Sept. 30. Read more here. {Fashionista inbox}
Nike names new CEO
Elliott Hill will return to Nike as CEO following John Donahoe’s exit. Hill, who originally retired from Nike in 2020 after serving in several leadership roles, will assume the role effective Oct. 13. “Given our needs for the future, the past performance of the business and after conducting a thoughtful succession process, the board concluded it was clear Elliott’s global expertise, leadership style and deep understanding of our industry and partners — paired with his passion for sport, our brands, products, consumers, athletes and employees — make him the right person to lead Nike’s next stage of growth,” chairman Mark Parker said in a statement provided to WWD. {WWD/paywalled}
The top financiers in the beauty industry
Due to expansive financial interest, the beauty industry has seen astronomic growth and largely steered clear of economic slowdowns in the past 20 years. WWD Beauty Inc published an index of the financial power players making the big decisions in beauty, skin care and wellness from bankers to private equity principals, venture capitalists, angel investors and more. {WWD/paywalled}
How indie brands fund their fashion shows
As independent brands and designers compete with big names, runway shows are essential to keeping their names in the headlines and on the minds of shoppers. They’re turning to unexpected sources to fund the six-plus-figure events. This season, American Express sponsored Luar; the brand even released limited-edition Ana bags paid for by the bank. LaQuan Smith offered Uber vouchers to show attendees and lavish gift bags sponsored by Samsung, and also sent models down the runway wearing Samsung Galaxy Rings. Jackson Wiederhoeft took a less visible approach to corporate sponsorship, but nonetheless, received funding from unexpected sources. Rachel Tashjian and Ashley Fetters Maloy explored the new wave of sponsorships for The Washington Post. {The Washington Post}
Beyoncé’s hairstylist and barber grant is accepting applications
Fourth-round applications for Beyoncé’s Cécred x BeyGood Fund close Friday, Sept. 20. The fund awards $500,000 annually in cosmetology school scholarships and salon business grants to hairstylists and barbers in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New Jersey. Fifth-round Cécred x BeyGood Fund applications are set to open Nov. 1 and close Nov. 20. Read more here. {Fashionista inbox}
Vogue announces lineup for Forces of Fashion 2024
The 2024 edition of Vogue Forces of Fashion will be held in London on Oct. 26. Headline speakers will include John Galliano, Law Roach, Isamaya Ffrench and Lena Dunham. Themed “Power of the Runway,” the event will bring together heroes from across the industry. Tickets are available here starting at £349. {Fashionista inbox}
Source: Fashionista.com
