The Funk Boutique: Powerful Pairs and Poses

Until Steven Canals and Ryan Murphy brought on trans talents Janet Mock, Mj Rodriguez and Indya Moore and Dominique Jackson, FX’s Pose hadn’t found its foothold and heart. But after they found their home on Pose, each woman was able to bond over their shared experiences with homelessness, sex work and coping with rejection. The love and feel of family is clear on the show, but it’s also very clear offscreen as Mock, Moore and Rodriguez are featured on the June cover of Harper’s Bazaar. The trio is hugging and smiling, and their joy across the page is so infectious that it is impossible not to smile along with them.

It wouldn’t be a Pose cover without incredible styling and fashion. Moore is wearing a Chanel skirt…but as a dress and a pair of Moschino Couture earrings that are almost as luminous as her bold, red lip. Mock is wearing a Vera Wang bodysuit while Rodriguez graces the cover in a Carolina Herrera gown. The other editorial looks embody the phrase, “all that glitters is gold,” but with a twist: “all that glitters is gold and bold.”

From Harper’s Bazaar: “Whether on Zoom, on set, or miles apart, the women are always connected. On the eve of Pose’s series finale after three remarkable seasons, the women reflect on its happy beginnings and its bittersweet ending.”

Have you ever wanted to walk in Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba’s shoes? Well, now you can—and quite literally, too. The couple partnered with Christian Louboutin on a justice and equality-themed collection and have launched a charity collection where profits will be donated across five organizations working to prevent and end racial injustices. The collection, which is named “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” offers a range of men’s and women’s footwear, featuring the phrase in the designs. From sneakers to heels, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to organizations in the US, UK and Africa that range from feminist and women’s rights to equitable education for youth in Somalia. The “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” collection will be available to shop on June 16.

Well, she’s rocking out. This new and absolutely powerful version of Willow Smith is everything Black rock ’n’ roll needs to begin its revival. This month, Smith graces the digital cover of V magazine in Valentino’s new collection, some dazzling Cartier pieces that can only be described as “punk meets the girl’s best friend” and eye-catching—pun intended—eye makeup and a bold red lip. The beaded, mesh and semi-sheer top give a hard-core 1920s meets early ‘80s vibe… which is definitely what this year has been giving.

Already a trailblazer, Willow’s new look, vibe and music are paving the way for other Black girls and women who want to get into the genre and now have a role model to look up to.

Solange Knowles’ creative agency, Saint Heron, celebrated its six finalists for the Woolmark Prize with the release of a short film, Passage. The film features Dionne Warwick, Pose actor Dominque Jackson and Atlanta music SahBabii, Dungeon Family artist Joi and singer KeiyA. Each of the subjects have been decked out in clothing by designers Bethany Williams, Casablanca, Kenneth Ize, Matty Bovan, Lecavalier and These Magugu. A demonstration of fashion, Black excellence and the raw talent of Black designers and creators is on display in this modern, theatrical production that fits perfectly with Knowles’s aesthetic—as well as the choreography by Jackson and Warwick.

In a statement about the project, Knowles said, “To reflect on and honor the creative process with the 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists, Passage aligns with Saint Heron’s mission to reverence creation as life, from abstraction to being.”