It may be October, but it's Black History Month somewhere in the world (namely, the United Kingdom), and Tracee Ellis Ross is celebrating in style. Just last month, the Black-ish actress broke the internet with the announcement of her new haircare collection, but in her recent interview with Glamour UK, she revealed that her latest drop is only the beginning.
Along with being the princess of Motown, a badass CEO, and our forever #StyleGoals, Tracee recently stole the crown as Selfie Queen of The World by capturing her latest magazine cover on her iPhone. In the issue, Tracee gave us all the details on what's next for her and I'll give you a hint: sis is about to snatch all of our coins. She explained:
"There is so much we've learned with this first drop. I have been honing and specifying my dream for 10 years. I've written down the language that's used in the making of the brand, the promise of the brand, a glossary that would help us all to redefine and rearticulate. Now it's about clarity and specificity of vision."
For Tracee, creating her brand was more than a business opportunity, it was a necessity. After searching the shelves for a product that catered to WOC to no avail, the actress decided to create her own, and her vision for PATTERN extends far beyond haircare.
"Makeup, skincare, I see them as part of the [PATTERN] journey. The gatekeepers of the industry have not had an understanding of the power and the beauty of this community of people. I still am playing within a system that forecasts beneath our worth...But I'm playing the long game."
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for WIRED
While Tracee's career as a businesswoman may be on the come-up today, the actress told the magazine that there were some not so feel-good moments along her journey that made her question her vision altogether.
"I remember the first thing that was said to me, which made me cry in the meeting, was: 'Why do you think you can do this? Why do you think anyone would want these products from you?' I didn't have the statistical evidence to support what I knew to be true. I didn't have all the information, but I knew it in my heart."
Tracee is a testament to the fact that you should never give up on your dream just because other people weren't given your vision.
"Oh, there was no 'eureka' moment. When I was going through all of that I didn't have an understanding of the larger cultural context; I didn't understand that the culture of beauty and the industry of beauty was actually specifically leaving me out and not celebrating me."
While in the early stages of her company's development, Tracee had no idea of the potential cultural impact her company could have, now she knows that her journey of healing and self-acceptance is not unique and hopes to help other women shift their paradigm when it comes to what beauty truly means.
"It's about a paradigm shift. It's about opening up space where we can see ourselves, and creating products that were actually made for us."
Featured image by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for WIRED
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To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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