On March 11th, beloved Black-owned, woman-owned beauty brand Camille Rose debuted its inaugural Art of Glam awards dinner, an intimate event celebrating the creatives who shape the beauty and style moments that define awards season and red-carpet culture during a buzzy Oscar week in Los Angeles, at the Maybourne Hotel in Beverley Hills, California. The evening spotlighted leading hairstylists, makeup artists, groomers, and award-winning costume designers whose work influences global beauty trends across film, television, and entertainment.
Founder of Camille Rose, Janell Stephens, curated the Art of Glam awards dinner to honor trailblazers in multicultural beauty who often go unrecognized in the entertainment industry. “The beauty industry has always been powered by incredible creators, the hairstylists, the makeup artists, the wardrobe stylists, and visionaries behind the scenes to bring beauty to life. Some of these artists, especially those rooted in multicultural hair and beauty, have always been the heartbeat of this industry, but not always in the spotlight. That’s why we created the Art of Glam awards,” Stephens told guests during the program.
The evening’s honorees, introduced by our very own Cori Murray, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies, were the following: Two-time Academy award–winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, award-winning fashion designer Sergio Hudson, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Sheika Daley, lauded department head hairstylist Camille Friend, celebrity groomer and texture authority John Mosley, celebrity stylists Tym Wallace and Vincent Smith. Each honoree received a specialized award, and for some awardees, the Art of Glam awards marked their first recognition for their positive impact on the entertainment industry.
Special attendees and presenters included: Samuel L. Jackson, Da’vine Joy Randolph, Kelly Rowland, Durand Bernarr, Kyla Pratt, Bianca Lawson, Clarissa Sheilds, Novi Brown, and more.
While guests enjoyed their five course meals and libations, video montages of highlights from each honoree’s career played in the background, showcasing the talent, commitment, and dedication to their craft, along with helping to bring to life notable projects, like The Color Purple, Black Panther, and Sinners, and partnering with some of the best talent Black Hollywood has to offer, like Zendaya, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and more.
The first to receive an award was Academy Award-nominated Camille Friend, who is known for her work on the Black Panther franchise. Presented by her close friend, Samuel L. Jackson, Friend gladly accepted the Cinematic Hair Industry Impact award. “She doesn’t just do hair, she builds the look, presence, the attitude, before I even step in front of the camera. She already sets the tone; she’s precise and calm, even when the clock’s crazy and the pressure’s high. She brings excellence every single time. The industry runs on talent. Camille doesn’t always stand in the spotlight, but absolutely deserves it, so tonight is my pleasure to shine that spotlight on her,” Jackson said before welcoming Friend onto the stage.
Friend graciously took the stage to accept her award. “God builds power to inspire, to move people, and to create characters that live forever. Every time I step on set, I think about legacy and truth, and how the character will be remembered long after the credits roll, whether I’m representing African Americans, Black culture, Asian culture, or any other culture. I approach it with respect and responsibility. I research, I listen, I study, I honor the history and the details, because representation is not about appearance, it’s about being authentic. This industry will test you. They will challenge your voice. They will push your image further, but you have to choose to be fully unapologetic about your vision and unwavering in your standards, because an artist requires courage. And as long as I have the opportunity to create, I will create fully,” she said.
Renowned fashion designer Sergio Hudson was presented with the Fashion Visionary award by his friend and co-founder of Sergio Hudson, Inga Beckham. Beckham emotionally shared her speech to Hudson and guests before welcoming him onstage. “Sergio has said that his dream was to become the next great American designer, not simply to design clothes, but to create moments, silhouettes, and a sense of power for women. What the fashion industry is recognizing today is something I recognized a long time ago: Sergio possesses a rare and extraordinary gift. His silhouettes are unmistakable,” she said.
Beckham continued, “What makes this moment especially meaningful to me is that Sergio is not only my business partner but also my chosen family. We have walked this journey together through every challenge, every leap of faith, and every milestone, always believing in a vision that was often bigger than the room we were standing in. This year marks 10 years of building this brand together, 10 years of perseverance, passion, and an unwavering belief in Sergio’s extraordinary talent.”
Hudson graciously accepted the award and reflected on an early-career moment that defined his outlook on the industry. He recounted a pivotal meeting with a fashion boutique buyer who suggested their designs were too urban, which spurred a commitment to showcase their American identity and talent.
Hudson shared with the audience that he aspires to create a legacy brand that empowers Black individuals in fashion, providing a platform for future generations to avoid past struggles. ”I made a vow that I’m going to show the world that an African American boy from Ridgeway, South Carolina, a descendant of enslaved people, that I am American. I am American sportswear. I can do what everybody else can do, and I can do it better because of my background. My dream now is to build a legacy house that we can call our own. When I say “we,” I mean Black people we can call our own,” he said.
Hudson thanked his family, including his husband and daughter, and expressed his gratitude to Stephens for the honor. “Janell and Camille Rose, thank you for this honor, because if we don’t honor each other, who else is going to do it? If we wait around for other people to, we will be waiting forever. So I appreciate this more than you will ever know. It means more to me than anyone I could receive, and I appreciate you,” he said in closing.
Award-winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph presented Ruth E. Carter with the highest honor of the evening, the Janell Stephens Signature award. The speaker reflected on meeting Carter on the set of Dolemite Is My Name and described her impact on their career, emphasizing Carter’s meticulous attention to detail and her ability to transform costumes into narrative elements.
The speaker highlighted Carter’s iconic works, including Black Panther and Malcolm X, as well as her influence on cultural storytelling. “She makes our job so much easier. Every detail that an actor could think of when portraying a character.
Now, while an audience might only see the dazzling final product and screen, what Ruth does behind the scenes is the true feat of artistry and craftsmanship when she trains clothing into cinematic language. Ruth’s costumes are cultural storytelling, and each actor who’s lucky enough to wear one of her garments is instantly teleported into their character’s world,” she shared.
Carter gratefully accepted her award and reflected on her storied career in the process, “I’m the one dressing the characters, building the worlds, making sure everyone else looks fabulous. But I guess after making history a few times, I’ve been blessed to experience some beautiful moments. When we talk about the art of glam, we’re talking about more than just fashion.”
“Glam can be bold, like Do The Right Thing, and fabulous and serious, like What’s Love Got to Do With It? And glam can also be quiet and dignified, like in our genetics. For many of us, our relationship with glam carries history. Sometimes our desire to look beautiful, to show up polished, to make a statement came from moments when we had very little, when the world always reflected our beauty back to us. So we created ourselves looking good, feeling good, ourselves with pride that became its own kind of declaration,” she said.
Carter continued, “This evening is so special. It’s about Black women and men supporting one another, a tradition that has always existed in our culture. It’s about continuing what glam can mean with brands like Camille Rose. Glam isn’t just about product; it’s history, it’s identity. It’s coaching, and shining through.”