Must Read: Youthforia Hires Product Development Director, Supernal Shuts Down

These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Wednesday.

Youthforia hires product development director following controversy
Youthforia has hired Oby Jemedafe, formerly of Uoma Beauty, as its new product development director. The brand is still recovering from the controversy this spring surrounding its darkest foundation shade, which was said to resemble black face paint, and was then discontinued. Jemedafe, who is also known for her work on Cécred, Beyoncé’s haircare brand, called the position a “chance to be a part of the solution.” {WWD/paywalled}

Supernal shuts down
Founded in 2019 by Melissa Medvedich, skin-care brand Supernal, known for its botanical face oils, is shutting down. “There have also been many changes since launching – the biggest (and best) change has been welcoming our beautiful baby girl into the world,” Medvedich stated in an Instagram post announcing the news. “It is time to focus on the most important role of my life – nurturing and raising our daughter.” {Instagram}

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Unilever Ventures invests in Jenni Kayne’s Oak Essentials
Oak Essentials secured investments from Unilever Ventures and Silas Capital. Womenswear designer Jenni Kayne founded the skin- and body-care brand in 2021. Oak Essentials’ line of 26 products is stocked at Shopbop and Nordstrom. Unilever Ventures has also invested in Grown Alchemist, while Silas Capital investments include Makeup by Mario and Ilia. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

The Flower Shop collaborates with Adidas
Seventies-inspired bar and restaurant The Flower Shop partnered with Adidas to design a limited-edition Gazelle sneaker. Launching Sept. 25, the sneaker retails for $140 and features gold vinyl stripes on classic black suede with The Flower Shop’s signature floral print on the inner sole. The shoe will be available exclusively on The Flower Shop website. {Fashionista inbox}

The Fashion Pact expands regenerative cotton initiative
The Fashion Pact will partner with more than 10,000 cotton farmers this year to incentivize their switch to more climate-friendly production. The initiative, called the Unlock program, launched in 2023, and has since tapped Burberry, Armani, Diesel, Adidas, Moncler, Zegna and the H&M Group as partners. The program provides farmers with the funding needed to shift to low-impact practices. According to Boston Consulting Group, raw materials account for up to two-thirds of a brand’s climate impact, making such switches well worth their investment. {Vogue Business/paywalled}

Can “slow beauty” be successful
So-called “slow beauty” could appeal to conscious consumers, Noor Lobad writes for WWD. Ffern, for instance, offers seasonal fragrances to its ledger of members (interested clientele are invited to join a waitlist) to avoid waste. Dieux Skin, KraveBeauty and Minori Beauty are also innovators in the space, planning one or fewer product launches each year. This strategy runs contrary to beauty brands that release new SKUs at a rapid pace and utilize fast-fashion-like models in development, a method that increases health risks. While they represent a positive shift for the industry, Rich Gersten, co-founder and managing partner of True Beauty Ventures, says slow-beauty brands face investment barriers. {WWD/paywalled}

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Source: Fashionista.com