Tell us about the leap from being friends to business partners.
Larry: It came about organically because I’ve been Gabrielle’s friend and hairstylist for over a decade. When she was trying to find a solution to growing her hair back after it had fallen out (due to IVF treatment side effects), I was there with her in the trenches. Gabrielle presented the opportunity to relaunch Flawless by Gabrielle Union and as she says, could not have done it without me. It has been a fantastic journey, a partnership where I get to play with my best friend.
You’ve talked about your Hollywood journey with your hair, and the pressure to wear it a certain way. When did you feel like you could start pushing back on how the industry wanted you to look?
Gabrielle: Over time, I have become more comfortable and confident with myself and started to use my voice and platform to advocate for freedom of expression and inclusivity. We can’t tell and portray our stories in Hollywood without being true to ourselves - all around, from head to toe. Also, advancements in the Hollywood and entertainment industry as a whole, is an ongoing process. We can help change the dynamic by hiring black hairstylists to work on black actresses and have all hairstylists be fully educated and well-versed in working on all textures, especially black hair.
How would you advise an industry newbie on staying true to their image in the face of pressure to conform?
Gabrielle: Be confident and stay true to yourself! The pressures of conforming can be extensive as everyone wants to succeed, but at what cost? I fully encourage self-expression and authentic ownership of personal style – no matter your desired hairstyle or look. As an industry newbie, wanting to try different or trendy hairstyles shouldn’t mean compromising the health of your hair. Flawless by Gabrielle Union is dedicated to developing the perfect blend of high quality and affordable products for all types of textured hair to promote flawless beauty through choice and diversity.
Why was it important to segment the product line by hair type?
Larry: Each hair type has different needs, and we really wanted to generate a how-to so that people can navigate through the line to know what works specifically for their hair. We wanted the product selection process to be a no-brainer for consumers.
Why do you think a black woman’s appearance is always up for discussion? What can we do to change this?
Gabrielle: Black women are different and unique, and individually beautiful. For centuries, black women were taught to suppress our appearance, have a specific look - straighten our hair with harsh chemicals, rocking an afro or wearing your natural curls was considered “too black”. There were certain aesthetics and ground rules to follow, when it comes to our appearance. Over the last few decades, there has been a dramatic shift. We have been disrupting these social norms. We need to continue to be disruptors, unlearn these archaic social traditions and use our platforms to advocate for each other. More than ever for this and the next generation, we have to show up and show out in our magnificent true self.
Why was it important to launch the hair line in the African market?
Larry: This market deserves the same access as America has, at an affordable price. So we're really excited to bring it to the continent. We’re going to do great in the motherland!
You’ve shared some of the sweetest videos on Instagram with your youngest daughter Kaavia about her hair - what lessons do you hope to pass on to her about her hair and its ties to her identity?
Gabrielle: We teach our children, Kaavia, Zaya and Zaire freedom of expression. Freedom to make their own hair choices. As a parent, I had to really work to unlearn a lot of traditions; let go of ideals about what acceptable hair is supposed to look like and really lean more into healthy hair. How our children choose to present themselves is a personal choice. No matter what, they're beautiful and amazing and we love them. I just want them to have healthy hair and know how to care for it.