In partnership with Vox Creative, Ventureland, and Sephora, The Beauty of Blackness feature-length film explores the history of Black cosmetics by following the relaunch of one of the largest, most important Black-owned beauty brands of the 20th century — Fashion Fair. The film won the TribecaX Feature Film award at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, the 2022 NYFA SeeHer Lens Award, the Gold for Video: Documentary at The Muse Awards, and awarded Bronze for Film: Five Minutes and Over at the Clio Awards.
Role: Creative Development Assistant
Company: Ventureland
Sephora was on a mission to fundamentally change the beauty industry, by not only creating space but also by telling vital stories. On the heels of Sephora signing the “15% Pledge,” a public commitment to dedicating 15% of its inventory to products from Black-owned businesses, Sephora wanted to give Black culture the respect and position it deserves in the beauty community.
As I began researching visuals, I explored archives of Black beauty, focusing on the themes of community and sisterhood. It was essential to highlight that beauty in those times wasn’t something easily found in a store. It was created using whatever tools were available. I sought out images that felt intimate and authentic—unfiltered portrayals of Black women’s everyday lives. Scenes of women braiding each other’s hair, applying makeup together, and getting ready for a night out captured the essence of this shared experience.
