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This week, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Chanel mounted their Cruise 2023/2024 show, just eight days after the brand was celebrated in droves at the Met Gala, where the dress code was in honor of the late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

A constellation of stars were in attendance for Chanel’s show, including the ever-illuminated Issa Rae, who — along with her stylist Wouri Vice and makeup artist Joanna Simkin — gave The Hollywood Reporter an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of how she prepared for the runway event and her reflections afterward.

“It was an experience from start to finish with a nostalgic but festive energy in the air. The food trucks and the professional roller skaters were the perfect addition to the show, making it feel carnival-like,” says Rae of the atmosphere on the Paramount lot where attendees enjoyed pizza slices and hamburgers from food trucks and cocktails from bar trucks.

“Black hair is both stigmatized and celebrated,” according to the “The Hair Tales” trailer. It’s also called “resilient.” The question not addressed in the docuseries promo: when will it be accepted in Hollywood?

Black women’s hair has long been a popular topic before it took center stage in the Tracee Ellis Ross-led documentary series, and that discussion hasn’t necessarily translated into mainstream media acceptance. But, according to hairstylists Fesa Nu and Felicia Leatherwood, the move has prompted an attitude shift within Black Hollywood as artists have stopped seeking validation from the powers that be and instead are choosing to simply wear the hair that makes them happiest.

Most known for her work with sister duo Chloe and Halle Bailey, Nu recognizes the strength of the next generation of star power in making change. While Nu describes Chloe as always loving her hair during their time together,...

HBO Max’s Scene in Black, which celebrates Black creators and audiences alike, has scheduled a lineup of activations over the July 4th weekend in New Orleans.

Coinciding with Essence Festival, marquee events include a welcome mixer spotlighting the creative community of New Orleans and previewing the upcoming HBO documentary, “Katrina Babies,” with the film’s director Edwards Buckles Jr. Scene in Black will also fete Issa Rae’s upcoming HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh!t” with a special screening, a panel discussion featuring Rae, who created and executive produces the show, alongside showrunner and executive producer Syreeta Singleton and stars Aida Osman and KaMillion. That event will be followed with an after-party at the Ace Hotel.

HBO Max’s Power of Visibility initiative, which provides a platform for multicultural and behind-the-scenes talent within HBO and HBO Max programming, will also have a presence at the festival with a brunch event and panel conversation.

Believe it or not, natural hair-care is a relatively new phenomenon.  In the last decade, knowledge on how to care for curly hair has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, most adult black women with natural hair have transitioned from straightening or perming their hair to their natural texture, due to a lack of products and exposure to natural hairstyling during their childhoods. The process of growing out said over-processed hair, however, is challenging.  That's where Issa Rae's hairstylist, Felicia Leatherwood, steps in.  "My mom didn't know what to do with my hair," the hairstylist told E! News during the Essence Festival in New Orleans. "We didn't have...

The Met Gala red carpet was full of beautiful, celestial-inspired hair and makeup looks. This year's "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme inspired makeup artists like Mario Dedivanovic, who created Gabrielle Union and Kim Kardashian's looks, and Issa Rae's hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood to create angelic looks that made an impact in front of cameras. For us, angel-like beauty, which includes dewy complexions, barely-there makeup, halo-shaped braids and an emphasis on natural beauty, is the perfect inspiration for summer beauty trends. They'll hold up in hot weather and give you a heavenly glow—what could be better than that? Case in...

This how-to is going to blow your mind and your hair.  Here's the typical hair wash regime: rinse, lather, repeat, towel dry, then style (blow-dry, twist, etc). This is most likely your routine, and because of it, you're probably damaging your precious locks. While explaining how to deep condition hair, celebrity hairstylist to Insecure star Issa Rae and Disney star Skai Jackson, Felicia Leatherwood, revealed a major key to maintaining your tresses' moisture. "Don't forget to use a soft T-shirt to dry your beautiful textured hair or drip dry if you don't mind your shirt being wet," she warned us.  The coarse texture and dryness of a cotton or terry-cloth...

Everyone wants shiny, healthy hair, but achieving your hair goals can be tough without the right products, tool and tips. Cue Felicia Leatherwood, Hollywood's hottest natural hairstylist and the woman responsible for the famous tresses of Issa Rae, Disney star Skai Jackson and director Ava Duvernay. When it comes to her styles, healthy hair makes all the difference. Natural hairstyling doesn't exactly let you "fake it til you make it." The key to shiny, nourished locks: heat-infused deep conditioning, twice a month. "When your hair is wet, the hair cuticle opens, which allows your hair to soak up the nutrients it needs to thrive," she told E! News. After applying a moisturizing...

Jill Scott hit the 2013 Essence Festival stage Friday night and like you'd expect she dazzled the crowd with her sultry voice and heartfelt tunes. But the Grammy Award-winning singer, who was dressed in a mint green jumpsuit and a colorful printed wrap, decided to add an extra dose of shine via a gold grill.

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"My grill is intended to be discreet," Jill said during a press conference after her performance. "It's there because I enjoy jewelry."

The glitzy dental accessories are adored by rappers not R&B songstresses like Jill. But we've gotta say, she looked dope with the flash of solid gold covering her bottom row of teeth. And the 41-year-old said she has several of the Paul Wall-designed baubles.

"I've been enjoying playing with fashion--gold grills and diamond grills have just become a part of that," Jill said.

And when asked what has influenced her style,...