Willow Smith is one of the few people in the world who could make a pair of socks look dope.
The child prodigy has recently found herself a muse for Stance sock company's latest sock wear campaign, which lead to her collaborating with them on her own line of socks.
To be clear, Stance's socks aren't anything like the socks you would find on a Walmart shelf. They're a durable brand of foot coverings that merges bold colors and artistic flavor with technical innovation, to create eye catching designs. In other words, they won't shrink or shrivel in the dryer, and they'll keep you warm while making you look fly.
If it seems like the collaboration was right up Willow's alley, then you'd be correct in that assumption. Willow had this to say to Vogue about what collaborating with Stance meant to her:
“Designing socks is very interesting because they are items of clothing that aren’t seen a lot. For me, socks can emit energy through you—even if nobody sees them. They have a message on them that radiates through your entire being . . . at least for me they do.I wanted to work with Stance because the company’s creative values resonated with me, and we both have the creative mind-set of forward thinking and pushing toward the future. I choose the projects that are going to push unity and expression into the world in the most intelligent and artistic way possible.
Willow's "Miss Dazey" collection features 12 sock designs in an array of pastel colors, trippy patterns, stripes, and geometric designs that appears to have an LA-based design inspiration. But according to Willow, the designs reach far beyond fashion and the City of Angels, to outer space. She had this to say to Vogue about how the world around us has impacted her designs,
“I just learned that each time we see a full moon, it’s one-quarter of a centimeter farther away from Earth!” she says. “That just inspires me to show the world that crazy shifts and happenings aren’t just occurring on Earth. Things are going on in all corners of the universe.”
To promote her Miss Dazey collection, Willow flexed her modeling chops in Stance's Punks & Poets video campaign, which shows the brown eyed beauty surrounded by flowers, hats, and a hot beat while she rocks out with her socks out.
The Punks & Poets video is truly amazing. It's so easy to get lost in it, that you could actually forget that she's modeling socks. Now that's a fashion impact!
Stance was also pleased to work with the wunderkind fashion rebel. The company had this to say about collaborating with Willow for their new collection, which is slated to drop at the end of the year.
“It’s an honor to work with Willow, she has such a strong creative point of view and her unique take on the world illuminates everything around her," said Candy Harris, senior vice president of the women's division of Stance. "She epitomizes our Uncommon Thread mantra and will undoubtedly play a role in inspiring the next generation of creative visionaries.”
Willow joins Rihanna, James Harden, and Big Sean, who were once muses for Stance, and were also featured in their Punks & Poets video series.
Take a look at Willow's Punks & Poets video campaign below, and catch more of her amazing photos in our gallery.
RELATED
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Let’s start with some pro tips from Breanna Knights, a Brooklyn-based stylist with over a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, specializing in goddess braids. She takes pride in maintaining the beauty and longevity of her clients' goddess braids, focusing on ensuring their scalp and curls remain healthy and hydrated.
Knights’ expertise extends to understanding the tension level, hydration needs, and proper cleansing techniques for goddess braids.
Hydration Is Key:
Moisture is essential for maintaining the integrity of your goddess braids. Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or moisturizing spray to hydrate your scalp and braids. Pay attention to the ends of the braids, as they tend to be the driest part. Avoid heavy products that can weigh down the braids and cause buildup.
“To maintain neatness and longevity for goddess braid styles, I recommend treating the goddess hair just as you would your natural curls," Knights tells us. "This consists of putting up your hair at night in a bonnet. I also encourage using mousse or a bottle of water mixed with conditioner to make the curls bounce back. These two options depend on if the curls are a synthetic blend, or if it’s 100% human hair."
When it comes to keeping the goddess curls refreshed and hydrated, Knights’ favorite mousse brands include:
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse
Bumble and bumble
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse is a lightweight mousse that enhances curls with a blend of oils and butters, providing long-lasting volume, and bounce without stiffness.
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil
Amazon
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil is a fave amongst the girlies. Reviewers say, “Product works well taming frizzy curls as well smoothing natural hair, human hair, and synthetic crochet or individual braided hair. Adds shine without looking or feeling greasy.”
Knights also recommends using Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment mixed with water in a spray bottle. “These products are sure to bring curls back to life," she adds.
If you’re looking for particular techniques or tricks to alleviate tension or discomfort often associated with wearing goddess braids, Knights shares that knotless goddess braids are usually done with less tension at the scalp, rather than traditional braids. “I highly suggest gauging tightness throughout your braiding session with your stylist. Should your braids end up too tight, one of my favorite go-to's is the Bumble and bumble’s Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. It provides a cool sensation on the scalp, without over saturating the scalp with oil,” Knights says.
The stylist also suggests a spray bottle with water to relieve tension. Additionally, less styling in the first few days of installing the braids to avoid scalp irritation.
Gentle Cleansing:
One topic that can be confusing when committing to goddess braids is the washing process. Should I wash my braids? How often should I wash them? We had all the questions, and Knights came with the tea. “Everyone’s wash [day] routine is different. To each client’s discernment, by weeks 3-4, if your scalp is itchy or shows signs of dandruff, it would be safe to wash your braids.
"I highly recommend paying more attention to the scalp rather than the braids itself. Keeping the braids up in a bun while saturating the scalp will keep the curls from matting and tangling during the wash process. After washing the scalp I recommend reapplying mousse and tying the hair down with a scarf to help tame any frizz that may occur after washing.”
Protect Your Crown:
One of the biggest keys to the longevity of goddess braids is having a braid bonnet and shower cap to ensure that the braids are dry. Invest in a satin or silk bonnet or scarf to protect your goddess braids while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to frizz and flyaways. Additionally, tying your braids with a silk scarf can help preserve their shape and prevent them from unraveling.
“Combing through the loose curls with your fingers and having a routine to ensure that the hair isn't matting or entangling into one another can help with longevity as well," Knights shares. "The same way you’d care for your curls after a successful wash day would also promote the longevity for any 'goddess' style!”
Courtesy
Regular Touch-ups:
As your natural hair grows, your goddess braids may begin to loosen or develop new growth around the edges. Schedule regular touch-up appointments with your hairstylist to re-braid the edges and ensure a seamless look. Avoid leaving braids in for too long, as this can cause tension on the scalp and lead to breakage.
Minimize Manipulation:
While it's tempting to constantly touch and style your goddess braids, excessive manipulation can lead to frizz and premature loosening. Limit the use of styling tools and refrain from pulling or tugging on the braids. Embrace the natural beauty of your braids and allow them to flourish with minimal interference.
Nourish from Within:
Maintaining healthy hair starts from within. Ensure you're consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration to promote hair growth and vitality. Incorporate foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and plenty of water into your daily routine for optimal hair health.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image courtesy
