happy international women’s day
As a woman-founded and led company, we wanted to take the time this International Women’s Day to give flowers to a few of the many Black women in business who have inspired us.
Mme CJ Walker
We wouldn’t exist without Madame C.J. Walker, who is celebrated as the US’s first female self-made millionaire through the creation of Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. Initially, Walker sold homemade hair care products, but eventually, her company grew enough for her to build a factory, a laboratory, and a beauty school to train sales agents. She is noted as THE pioneer of Black hair care and the beauty industry as we know it.
Lindsay Peoples Wagner
Lindsay Peoples Wagner has changed the face of fashion media. At 28 years old, she was the youngest editor-in-chief of any Condé Nast publication while at Teen Vogue; in 2019, she was the only Black female editor-in-chief in the fashion industry; and now, at 32, she’s at the helm of New York Magazine’s The Cut while simultaneously running the Black in Fashion Council, an organization that aims to help Black creatives thrive in the fashion industry.
Felicia Leatherwood
Felicia Leatherwood’s journey started in the entertainment industry, where she juggled a full-time job with a side hustle as a home stylist and braider. What began as a hobby blossomed into a deep passion for natural hair care. This path led her to pursue cosmetology school, eventually propelling her to the forefront of the industry as a leading celebrity hairstylist.
Felicia’s determination and entrepreneurial spirit led her to turn her passion into a successful career. Today, she’s a trailblazer in the natural hair movement, known for her work as a celebrity hairstylist for stars like Issa Rae and Viola Davis.
At plait, we’re doing our best to make these women proud, by revolutionizing the way that Black customers shop for hair care. Join the plait family for more updates.