Ultimate Store

Thursday, May 27, 2021

How Toronto Shopping Destination WDLT117 Navigated COVID-19

When managing director of Yorkville’s WDLT177 boutique, Jason Morikawa, opened its doors in the summer of 2019, the space — curated, cool and full of names not typically seen in the Canadian shopping scene — was poised to become a must-visit for fashion lovers searching for the lines they typically only interacted with digitally. Or in some cases, that they didn’t know they needed to know.

Kolor, A.W.A.K.E Mode, Y/Project, Both and Bode were just a few of the labels one could find in an eclectic array housed in the grand two-level shop. “Our store is all about the experience,” Morikawa says. “People could come in and see new brands that they hadn’t seen before, or been able to touch before. So many emerging brands are online-focused, so we wanted to give them a home in Toronto.”

After a year of offering up a unique mix of men’s and women’s garments and accessories IRL, COVID-19 hit, and Morikawa suddenly had to make a major pivot; and not just in terms of taking buying appointments via video call — a great challenge for retailers who previously relied on in-person appointments to truly get a sense of the weight, fabric feel and movement of the items they were bringing into their shops.

“There’s only so much you can see on Zoom,” Morikawa says with a laugh, adding that WDLT117’s story also “needed to translate online.” So came a greater push to take its philosophy into the digital world; but also, to bring everything back home, in a sense, as well.

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In addition to ramping up the store’s e-comm experience, Morikawa — who has an extensive background in the Toronto luxury retail landscape, having worked for Holt Renfrew and Saks Fifth Avenue before launching this endeavour — expanded its niche into the housewares realm. You’ll now see quirky lines like Qeeboo and Ligne Blanche amongst WDLT117’s offerings. (Swedish brand Aveva’s felted planters have been of particular interest, because, well, plants.)

What’s been most crucial to Morikawa is that there’s no disconnect between the fashion and home goods; each piece speaks to the special moments he’s strived to give his customers access to all along. “They’re looking for a more diverse range of lesser-known brands,” he says. And he takes particular pride in the emphasis WDLT117 has had in supporting Asian designers based around the world. “We’ve noticed solid sales performance there,” he says of the appeal of unisex-focused label Feng Chen Wang, hat maker Kijima Takayuki, and Shushu/Tong’s playful wares.

Paris-based, sustainably-minded designer Marine Serre has also been a strong favourite for customers — unsurprising given the uptick in consumers being more mindful about their purchases, particularly throughout the last year. And a rise in interest around genderless garments has made Australian designer Dion Lee a hit.

These names noticeably serve up looks that fall on the fashion-forward yet casual side, and this vibe has certainly been what’s kept WDLT117 going during COVID-19. Morikawa is hopeful, though, that once lockdown eases and going out is a thing again, that people will “want to have some fun, and shake off the COVID nightmare. I see it kind of like the end of the Depression; the opulence came back and people started getting dressed again.” Here’s hoping.

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Cruella Tells the Origin Story of Disney’s Most Glamorous Villain

Every villain needs a captivating origin story — and Disney’s Cruella is dripping with bold fashion, makeup and hair looks that are perfectly suited for the world’s most glamorous on-screen criminal. Inspired by Glenn Close’s frighteningly eccentric Cruella de Vil in the 1996 film 101 Dalmations, Cruella gives us a glimpse into the character’s early life and follows the events that lead to her evolution into the Cruella de Vil we all know now.

The film premiered in Los Angeles last week, and though it won’t be officially released until May 28, there’s no shortage of fashion and plot details to capture your attention ahead of time. Here’s everything you need to know about Craig Gillespie’s Cruella.

What’s the plot of Cruella?

Oscar-winning actor Emma Stone dons an English accent as Estella, a young designer who hopes to make it big in the fashion world amid the punk-rock revolution of 1970s London. She is hired by industry legend Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), and from here, we see Estella’s transformation into the infamous Cruella de Vil.

The film strategically uses Cruella’s fashion statements to represent her new, increasingly nonconformist identity.

“In this film we get to see how she became the villain we know today,” said Stone in a promotional video for the film. “Once you put this wild black and white hair, this incredible makeup and these completely unique costumes on, you feel like Cruella de Vil.”

Where did the inspiration behind Cruella’s fashion and beauty looks come from?

Cruella has an astonishing 47 looks throughout the film, many of which were sourced from vintage stores in New York, Los Angeles and London. Considering the film’s punk-rock background setting, Cruella’s looks were heavily influenced by punk. Costume designer Jenny Beavan said references were wide-ranging, including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, German singer Nina Hagen, and 1980s British fashion label BodyMap.

Hair and makeup designer Nadia Stacey told Vogue that there were “no barriers” when it came to brainstorming for the film’s many looks. Inspiration came from all different time periods; she studied makeup and wig references from the 18th-century, looks from 1950s and 1960s, avant-garde hair sculptures and, of course, 1970s punk.

Cruella’s signature black and white hair is arguably her most identifiable feature. The film approaches Cruella’s hair in an interesting way, by choosing to mask it at first. When we meet Estella, she sports a grown-out shag that’s dyed red to hide her natural two-toned hair and conform to societal standards of beauty. Stacey said this hairdo was meant to represent someone who’s grown up in 1970s London. As the story progresses and Estella transforms, she ditches the hair dye and lets her natural black and white hair shine.

The hair and makeup transformations in this film are indicative of Estella’s growth as a character. When we first meet her, she dyes her hair red out of fear that her natural hair will be perceived as odd or unattractive. As she moves further and further away from the status quo, we see her actively embracing a new, individualistic identity.

How does Emma Stone’s Cruella differ from Glenn Close’s Cruella in 101 Dalmations?

Stacey said she wanted to be respectful of Close’s look, and specifically pay homage to it in Stone’s first appearance as Cruella de Vil. When we first see Stone as the fully formed Cruella, her hair and nails are styled similarly to what was worn by Close in her adaptation of the role. But since this is an origin story, Stone’s Cruella takes on her own identity style-wise, and is ultimately different from the Cruella we see in 101 Dalmations.

Despite the film’s distinctions from the 1996 Cruella de Vil, Close is an executive producer of Cruella, which tells us there will be some influence and inspiration from the original film.

What fashion moments can we look forward to seeing in Cruella?

Cruella’s signature colours are black, white, grey and red (for moments of particular importance). The film will no doubt be filled with jaw-dropping fashion, but here are three of our favourite looks thus far.

Cruella has a show-stopping moment in this red dress. She enters a Marie Antoinette-inspired black and white ball in a mysterious white cloak. She then sets the cloak on fire to reveal a red ballgown, inspired by Charles James’s “Tree” dress housed at the Metropolitan Museum. At this moment, her red dress stands in stark contrast to the rest of the room’s black and white outfits, which is indicative of Cruella as the ultimate outsider.

In this scene, Cruella stands on top of a car wearing a long scarlet skirt and custom-made jacket with miniature horses and carriages on her shoulders. Her skirt, made by costume designer Kirsten Fletcher, is so long that it wraps around the car she’s standing on.

The film’s punk influence comes through in an iconic look where ‘‘The Future” is written in black makeup across Cruella’s pale face, almost as if she’s wearing a black mask. For this look, Stacey copied the font used on the Sex Pistols’ 1977 album cover Never Mind The Bollocks.

We can’t wait to get to know Stone’s Cruella de Vil a bit better when the film is released on May 28.

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Texture Talk: Everything You Need To Know About Keeping Curly Hair Healthy After a Dye Job

Hair colouring is a chemical process that changes more than just your hair’s hue — especially if you’re blessed with natural curls — so it’s important to do your research and go in prepared. The first order of business is, of course, booking a consultation with your colourist. This should be an information-gathering conversation, and “there has to be honesty on both sides,” says Praise Okwumabua, stylist and owner of Freshair Boutique in Winnipeg. “Sometimes clients are timid when it comes to expressing what they want, so be clear.” Photos of the coloured curls you’re after are helpful; send the colourist an inspiration pic of the colour you hope to achieve, plus one of your current hair colour, prior to the consultation. Most importantly, Okwumabua stresses, clients should be empowered to ask for photos of the colourist’s past work. “You want to see that they know how to manipulate your hair type,” she says. “If you have no evidence they’ve done it before, or if they’re dismissive and act like the process will be the same for your type 3 or 4 curls as it would be for anyone else, be leery.”

Prep

Once you’ve both agreed on your desired shade, there are some pre-appointment steps you can take to enhance your results before you settle into the chair. First, shampoo and detangle your hair the day before the big appointment. Despite what you may have heard, “dirty hair isn’t better,” says Keina Morgan, a Toronto-based curl expert and owner of Urban Curls Boutique. You want clean hair with no heavy oils or other products that might block the colour from penetrating. Clients with curl patterns in the type 2 to 3 range can arrive at the salon with their curls in natural form. For type 4 curls, “it’s best to come in with tight coils stretched out,” says Morgan. “This makes it easier to apply the product and will result in less pulling on your scalp. The product will also be absorbed deeper into the hair, and we’ll have to use less of it.”

Colour

Now for the dyeing process…The procedure lifts and opens up the hair cuticle to allow the colour to seep in. But it also allows moisture to escape, leading to dry hair. “Think of the cuticle layer of your hair as a pine cone,” says Morgan. “With virgin hair, the pine cone is tight and sealed. The developer used in a colouring service opens up the cuticle layer, so the pigment can penetrate, and the cuticle is then always lifted.” This puts Black hair, which is naturally drier and more fragile, in an even more delicate, breakage-prone state. All coloured hair is compromised, especially when you get into lighteners, says Okwumabua. “So if you don’t follow an after-care regimen, your hair is going to break off for sure, particularly if you have type 3 or 4 curls.”

After-care

Now that you’ve left the salon with your desired hue and snapped the perfect selfie to post on Instagram, it’s time to chill out—literally. To preserve the colour in freshly dyed hair, it’s best to avoid hot temperatures. “Every time you pass a flatiron over your hair or blow-dry it, you open up the cuticle a little bit, causing the colour to fade,” says Okwumabua. Diffusing is less damaging, since the hot air isn’t directly hitting your strands, but air-drying and twist-out styling are ideal for maintaining colour. The minimal- heat rule applies in the shower, too. “Using cooler water will help keep the cuticle closed, which keeps colour in your strands for longer,” says Morgan. What’s in your hair-care lineup plays a major role in rebuilding colour- treated curls and preserving vibrancy, too. Morgan suggests a sulfate-free no- or low-lather shampoo, a keratin leave-in treatment and a protein-rich deep-conditioning mask. And investing in a bonnet or using a silk or satin pillowcase overnight will go a long way toward reducing frizz and maintaining moisture in curls, says Okwumabua.

To DIY or not to DIY…

Thinking about executing this whole process at home? Unfortunately, the hair pros don’t recommend trying to achieve coloured curls yourself. “After last year’s initial lockdown, we had to do a lot of fixing,” says Morgan. “You’ll never achieve the colour that’s on the front of the box—ever,” adds Okwumabua. But if your heart is set on DIYing, “talk to a stylist you trust and who will support you and give you the best tips,” advises Okwumabua. Both experts strongly recommend using a semi-permanent formula only—the type that will fade over several shampoos. Morgan suggests going just one shade darker than your hair colour. “It’s going to lift and lighten over time, and you don’t want lines of demarcation left in the hair,” she says. When shopping, buy multiple boxes of dye to make sure you have enough product to work through dense curls and finish the job. Morgan suggests two boxes if you have short to medium hair and four boxes if you have medium to long hair. Start by doing a patch and strand test to make sure you’re not allergic to the formula and to see what the results will be like before you mess with your entire mane. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Missed our last Texture Talk column? Click here.

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Dan and Eugene Levy Are Releasing a Schitt’s Creek Book

The award-winning Canadian television series Schitt’s Creek is getting a book from the show’s stars and co-creators Dan and Eugene Levy. It was announced on May 25 that Black Dog & Leventhal acquired the coffee table book, titled Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: The Story of Schitt’s Creek.

In case you haven’t watched yet (and if so, what are you waiting for?), Schitt’s Creek is a quirky comedy that follows a formerly affluent family who, after being bankrupted by a business manager, have no choice but to move to a small, run-down town that they once bought as a joke. The beloved show released its sixth and final season on CBC and streaming platforms last year, and the announcement of this book feels like the perfect parting gift for fans.

six years ago today, January 13th 2015, Schitt’s Creek premiered on @CBC TV. pic.twitter.com/fFOpIuEIvi

— Schitt's Creek (@SchittsCreek) January 13, 2021

The keepsake book, which will be published in October 2021, is a celebration of the town, the characters, and the series as a whole. It will include character profiles from the cast of Johnny (Eugene Levy), Moira (Catherine O’Hara), David (Dan Levy), and Alexis (Annie Murphy), as well as the other town residents. The book will also share behind-the-scenes memories and highlight fan-favourite moments, from David’s first kiss with his future husband Patrick (Noah Reid), to Moira’s infamous endorsement of Herb Ertlinger Winery.

In an announcement of the book on Twitter, Dan Levy wrote, “Spent the better part of the last year and a half putting this book together. We really wanted it to feel like a thoughtful celebration of the time we had.”

Spent the better part of the last year and a half putting this book together. We really wanted it to feel like a thoughtful celebration of the time we had. I’m now a tired shell of myself but apparently you can pre-order it today which is fun/worth it! https://t.co/7L9IE9zDqP

— dan levy (@danjlevy) May 26, 2021

After its sixth season, Schitt’s Creek broke records by becoming the first comedy or drama series to win all four acting categories and receive the most wins for a comedy series in its final season. The show won a total of nine Emmys last year — the most ever for a comedy in a single season. And although the series finale aired over a year ago, the show is still receiving praise — winning big at this year’s SAG Awards and Canadian Screen Awards.

Since the show wrapped, its stars have kept busy with different post-Schitt’s Creek projects. Along with their upcoming book, the Levy father-and-son duo have had their hands full. In 2019, Dan Levy signed a three-year deal with Disney’s ABC Studios to develop and produce scripted projects for the studio. Meanwhile, the older Levy will be voice acting in the animated project The Beast, Heroes of the Wildfire, and will be again working alongside Catherine O’Hara. The lauded actress will be voicing the lead role of Mayor Owl in The Beast, Heroes of the Wildfire. She is also set to appear in the animated film Extinct, alongside Adam DeVine, Rachel Bloom, Zazie Beetz, and Ken Jeong, which is set for release in 2021. Annie Murphy is venturing into dark comedy, and will be starring in Kevin Can F**k Himself, a 2021 series by AMC Studios. Murphy was also spotted in a Nintendo commercial earlier this year!

All good things must come to an end, but we know Best Wishes, Warmest Regards will provide a much-needed escape back into the world of Schitt’s Creek with our favourite characters. The book is available for pre order now through the publisher’s website.

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The Friends Reunion Is Happening This Week — Here’s What We’d Rather Forget From the Series

Friends is one of the most cherished sitcoms of all time. From the often-iconic humour, to the chemistry-filled relationships, to the adorable displays of #friendshipgoals, the show captures how important it is to have a tight-knit crew of pals during your young adult years. So with a Friends reunion officially coming to HBO Max and Crave on May 27, fans are ecstatic.

The reunion was shot at the original Friend soundstage at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California, and will feature all of the original cast members — Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Courteney Cox (Monica), Lisa Kudrow (Pheobe), David Schwimmer (Ross), Matt LeBlanc (Joey) and Matthew Perry (Chandler) — along with special guests like Justin Bieber, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Mindy Kaling, and even Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai. The reunion won’t be a new episode of the sitcom, but a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the show, with cast members reminiscing and taking viewers on a stroll down memory lane.

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Up until it was taken off Netflix at the end of 2020, Friends was one of the most-watched shows on the streaming platform. It’s been 17 years since a new episode aired, and while Friends has gained younger fans over the years, it’s also received a fair bit of criticism for some of its tone-deaf moments.

While we can appreciate the sitcom and what it ultimately stands for (and the legendary stars it produced — Aniston, we’re looking at you, girl), it’s important to acknowledge the harmful messaging that consequently lives on with the show’s legacy. With the Friends revival just around the corner, here’s a look back at some of our *less fond* Friends memories that, if we’re honest, can stay on a break.

The homophobic and transphobic jokes

Friends received praise for depicting a lesbian wedding at a time when it was not commonplace to do so on TV. Carol (Jane Sibbett) and Susan (Jessica Hecht) were fully developed characters who were not simply the butt of a joke, as was often the case in 1990s mainstream pop culture. But even with increased LGBTQ+ representation on Friends and other ’90s shows like Roseanne and Ellen, homophobia and transphobia were still acceptable punchlines.

The show also encourages viewers to question and laugh at the blurring of traditional gender roles. In the episode “The One With the Male Nanny,” Ross insists his male nanny must be gay because he works in a typically female job. As the friend with the least amount of romantic relationships with women, Chandler was often the target (and source) of gay jokes. But Chandler’s jokes were most commonly directed at his father, who was likely a transgender woman. Chandler’s childhood trauma stemmed from his dad abandoning their family to be with their younger employee, or “house boy.” Throughout the show, whenever Chandler references his father, it is always accompanied by a joke poking fun at their seemingly ambiguous or undefined gender identity. When the only on-screen representation trans people are given is of an absent father who broke up a family, it is harmful and demonizing.

The “you’re fat, and it’s funny because you’re fat” trope

Monica’s backstory is that when she was younger, she was overweight. To get a laugh out of viewers, the show would often put Courteney Cox in a fat suit to play “Fat Monica” for a throwback episode. When Monica is fat, she’s not the same Monica: her entire personality becomes about food and her weight. Making a joke of Monica’s previous weight was used again and again throughout the series, and this type of narrative contributes to the dehumanization of fat people in mainstream media that is still prevalent today. This trope is tired and so are we! Next.

Monica's fat suit in Friends. The message I got was being fat was something to be openly mock and it made you invisible and gross

— Mozzie (@Mozzie_610) April 25, 2019

The whitewashed version of NYC

New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and yet on Friends, all the major characters are white — we’re looking at you too, Sex and the City. The only two recurring non-white characters on the show were Ross’s girlfriends Julie and Dr. Charlie Wheeler. In an interview with The Guardian, Schwimmer said that he “campaigned for years to have Ross date women of colour” because he saw the lack of diversity on the show. But Ross dating two women of colour over the course of 10 seaons isn’t exactly a meaningful stride towards diversifying the cast.

The misogyny passed off as “boys being boys”

Joey is seen as the lovable, childish, dim-witted character — he’s an actor who doesn’t get much work, sandwiches are his favourite food, and he relies on his roommate and best friend Chandler to cover the bills. But when it comes to relationships, or more specifically sex, Joey is revered by his male friends for being “the man.” Despite not having much going for him career-wise, Joey is constantly getting beautiful women to go out with him. The problem is that he sees these women as conquests, and has no respect for them as people. He leads women on and ghosts them when he doesn’t want to talk to them anymore. This attitude is seen as aspirational to the men in his life, which hasn’t aged well.

In rewatching the show, the flaws of Friends become more apparent. But despite its shortcomings, Friends does a solid job of showing the realities of navigating the world as a young adult, and how your friends are some of the most meaningful relationships you can have at that time in life. We can’t discount the impact Friends has had on the world, but sometimes, we wish we could go back and tweak it, just a little.

You can catch the Friends reunion on HBO Max and Crave on Wednesday, May 27.

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Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Ariana Grande’s Wedding Dress Was Surprisingly Minimal

Ariana Grande isn’t known for her understated style. The pop star favours exaggerated ballgowns with impossibly full skirts, over-the-knee boots that are basically pants and high ponytails so long, she risks tripping on them. But for her wedding day, the 27-year-old singer went a decidedly more minimal, classic route with her bridal look — and photos from the intimate day are finally here.

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Grande married Dalton Gomez, her partner of a little more than a year, on May 17 in a low-key ceremony described by the singer’s rep to People as “tiny and intimate.” The nuptials took place at Grande and Gomez’s Montecito, California home and from the looks of some of the photos Grande has shared on her Instagram, the scene was pure timeless romance, with white candles everywhere and flowers suspended from the ceiling.

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Grande’s wedding gown was equally timeless. According to an exclusive interview with Vogue, the white silk charmeuse strapless dress was designed by bridal legend Vera Wang (who else?), the result of a pact made by the two famous women at the Met Gala a few years back. “On fashion’s biggest night, Vera promised that when the time came, she would create Ariana’s wedding day look…and the iconic designer delivered,” writes Vogue. The publication describes Grande’s custom wedding dress as an “empire waist column gown accented with a sculpted neckline, an exposed bra strap closure, and a plunging back.”

It’s refreshing to see the often OTT singer in such an elegant gown on her big day — but playful accessories, like a shoulder-length bubble veil with a satin bow at the top, make the overall look feel pitch-perfect for the young star.

Grande’s wedding hair and makeup, which included polished half-up hair, sculpted brows and winged liner (the work of Josh Liu and Ash Kohlm respectively, per Vogue), also marry a certain timeless grace with some of the bride’s signature beauty moments, like cat-eye liner.

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But the look we’re most struck by? The look of love shared between these two young lovebirds! What can we say, we’re suckers for romance. Congrats to the newlyweds!

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Camila Coelho Channeled a Decade of Social Media Experience Into Creating Her Beauty Brand

Camila Coelho is a household name — at least if you’re immersed in the sprawling world of fashion and beauty content creators. One of the OG influencers, Brazilian-born Coelho started her channel over a decade ago (a century in social media time) with a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing beauty tips and tricks. A makeup artist by trade, today Coelho has 8.9 million followers on Instagram and 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube. She also has a mega-successful swimwear collection and collabs with some of the biggest brands around the world.

But why stop there? Last year, in the midst of a global pandemic, Camila Coelho launched Elaluz, a cross-category beauty brand with hair, skin and makeup product offerings. It turns out that Elaluz is more than just a side hustle for the successful influencer and content creator. In fact, it’s been part of the plan all along.

We caught up with Camila Coelho to chat all things beauty, including how she harnessed her 11 years of social media experience to make Elaluz a success.

On her start in beauty

“I worked at the Dior counter at Macy’s and to this day, every time I think about my career, I think about that job. I had just left high school and it was my first real, full-time job. The experience was something that I still think about. At first I was a salesperson, so I was just selling the makeup, but then I learned how to actually do makeup and I became a makeup artist at the counter.

“I learned a lot about how to engage with people, and how to be patient. You get people coming in with so many different moods, people from different backgrounds with different needs. That job really taught me how to engage with people and how to lift them up every single day. For me it was the best feeling every time a person walked [away from] the counter with a smile on their face. Even though I hated the retail hours and working on the weekends, that part was why I decided to become a makeup artist. I still take those lessons with me today.

“After I left that job, I started working on social media and one of my main goals was to lift people, especially women, up, and show them that they have such a beautiful light shining inside of them. Working at that makeup counter was key to my success today, I think.”

Camila Coelho looks at Elaluz samples — Photography courtesy of Camila Coelho

On the pressures of social media

“I was 22 when I started [my career as a content creator] and any time I’d get a negative comment, I would cry. So I can’t imagine kids now who are doing it at 13 or 14. From age 15 to 17 was when I was really struggling with epilepsy, and it was really hard because it’s a time that you’re figuring out who you are and anything that people say to you can deeply affect you. It’s a really hard time for teenagers. I can’t even imagine being a teenager [on social media] today, so I really applaud the young people who are really successful and know how to handle it well.”

Camila Coelho wears Elaluz makeup — Photography courtesy of Camila Coelho

On her beauty brand, Elaluz

“I’ve always been so passionate about beauty. In my passport photo when I was six years old, I had red lipstick. As soon as I started working on social media and working with other brands, I dreamed of creating my own line, but I wanted to wait for the right moment. So when I decided it was time, I knew exactly what this brand was going to look like and what this brand was going to represent. Elaluz means “She is light” in my native language Portuguese.

“I also knew my brand had to be clean and sustainable. We worked for two years before we actually launched the brand. I always say that finalizing a product, especially when you’re clean brand, is like winning an award because there’s so much that goes into one product, so much back and forth when it comes to formula and packaging, so it’s really rewarding when you put a product out there and people actually like it. When it comes to sustainability, we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted and we get to plant trees here in Malibu, and with the sale of every product, a part of the proceeds goes toward planting trees in my home country, Brazil.”

Camila Coelho with an Elaluz product — Photography courtesy of Camila Coelho

On feeling insecure about opting out of going to college

“I moved to the United States with my family when I was 14 and I saw my mom work so hard after a tough divorce, which made me want to be independent very early on. During high school instead of doing cheerleading, which I really wanted to do, I decided to get a part-time job at a pizza place. I wanted that feeling of independence and I felt bad asking my mom for money after seeing her work so hard, so I started working and I was so happy.

“Then when it was time for me to apply for college, I just didn’t know what I wanted to do, and my biggest fear was doing something that I would regret later, like go to college for something that I wouldn’t then pursue. I told my mom I wanted six months to figure out what I want to do. Of course, she went crazy. I looked in her eyes and said, ‘Mom, I will make you proud. I promise you that.’ For a long time, I kept that promise in mind.

“During those six months, I got the job at Macy’s, and from there I became a makeup artist and that brought me to social media. But the times I felt the most insecure about not having gone to school was actually when I started working with other brands and traveling. I would sit at a table and everyone would be like ‘I went to college for this or that’ and I would feel insecure because I thought that they’d all look at me differently because I didn’t go to college. But looking back now, I think not going made me work even harder. I felt like I needed to work harder to stand out.”

Camila Coelho sprays Elaluz face mist — Photography courtesy of Camila Coelho

On the importance of diversity within the beauty industry

“I’ve been on trips with a brand or at fashion week and I look around the room and I’m the only Latina there. Even when I started on YouTube, the most popular comments I would get were about people not being able to find their foundation shade. I didn’t want that for Elaluz. Because I have such a global audience, I wanted my brand to represent all of these people. So when we started selling direct to consumer online, my goal was to launch worldwide. And if we were going to do that, the brand needed to represent everyone. It’s definitely been our priority since day one.”

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H&M Partners with Brock Collection On a Dreamy Summer Collaboration

H&M has teamed up with Los Angeles-based brand Brock Collection to make all our Bridgerton-inspired bustier and brocade dreams come true this summer with the upcoming H&M Brock Collection collaboration.

With silhouette-hugging corset tops, prairie-style country florals and statement accessories, this easy-to-wear collection is at the intersection of Regencycore, cottagecore and streetwear. The collaboration, which launches online and in select H&M stores on June 24, includes everything from jeans and sundresses to handbags, sunglasses, and chunky gold jewellery.

The designer collaboration pulls from Brock Collection’s signature designs elements, including bustiers, puffy sleeves and floral prints, but with a decidedly casual twist.

Founded by Kris Brock and Laura Vassar, Brock Collection is a women’s luxury brand that injects a modern polish and earthy sensibility into its vintage-inspired gowns and statement tops — think city sophistication meets country charm.

Since its launch in 2014, Brock Collection has gained a loyal celebrity following for its romantic designs. Celebs like Emily Ratajkowski, Lili Reinhart and Elizabeth Olsen have all been spotted wearing the brand. But as with H&M’s past designer collabs, the OG brand comes with a sizeable price tag that means Brock Collection isn’t accessible to many of us non-celebrities.

Since 2004, H&M has been marrying fast and high fashion through their designer collaborations which kicked off in 2004 with none other than Karl Lagerfeld, followed by partnerships with other major fashion houses like Jimmy Choo, Versace and Lanvin in later years. More recently, the brand’s partnership with London designer Simone Rocha has left customers wanting more.

By making Brock Collection’s designs more accessible, H&M has the potential to introduce the brand to a wider audience. “Brock Collection has always been about connecting the threads between uptown polish paired with a down-to-earth ease, which we are so happy to bring to a new audience,” say the Brock Collection founders in a press release.

“Country florals, tie-up shoulder straps and corset-like details emphasize the craftsmanship, while the feminine silhouettes and contrast with denim pieces are flattering and exude a city edge” is how the collection is described in a press release from H&M, with the brand adding that all pieces are made from more sustainable materials like organic linen and recycled polyester and cotton.

The H&M Brock Collection collaboration drops June 24 in Canada, and it will be available in selected stores and online on hm.com.

Get a sneak peek at some of the pieces from the HM& x Brock Collection collab below.