With the addition of a few more backers like Gabrielle Union, Cameron Diaz and Mila Kunis, Autumn Adeigbo's nameplate business now has a total funding of almost $4.2 million.
Actress Gabrielle Union joined the group of investors after independently learning about the company.
“Gabrielle has been extremely encouraging of me and my goals; she is quite vocal about her support of Black women and female entrepreneurs,” Adeigbo said. “Her cultural expertise extends past her deep impact in Hollywood into her business acumen.”
Diaz and Kunis first met Adeigbo, designer and founder of the women's ready-to-wear, accessories, and footwear line, at a retreat held by Gwyneth Paltrow and Brit Morin. The ladies bonded there over common passions for technology and entrepreneurship and saw their relationship blossom. Eventually, the actresses were recruited as investors,
Adeigbo said that she never would have believed, years ago, that she and Cameron would become friends, let alone business partners. "I have loved Cameron for a very long time, and her radiance goes beyond what America fell in love with on screen. She is flashing her generosity, humor, beauty, and intelligence my way, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
It seems the adoration is shared. Adeigbo, according to Diaz, brightens any space.
According to the actress and wine entrepreneur, "And her creations, no matter who's wearing them, do the same. She is a star, and her talent to project her star power via her creations is what makes them so alluring. Being a part of her path makes me happy and honored.”
Of Kunis, Adeigbo shared that she has also, "loved Mila for so long. Words cannot express my admiration for her. Let alone the impact she has had in Hollywood, she is such a pillar of cultural excellence, advocacy, and enterprise. Mila's discovery of my business, which fits with her interests in fashion and entrepreneurship, makes me ecstatic.”
"Autumn and I had an instant connection when we first met," Kunis continued. “The zeal I see in great businesspeople tells me they won't give up on the challenging start-up path, and I recognized that in her eyes. Investing was a no-brainer for me because of Autumn's talent and the positive initial market reaction to the brand's product.”
Katrina Lake, the founder and former CEO of Stitch Fix, Chris Howard, the general partner of venture capital firm Fuel Capital, as well as founder and former CEO of TaskRabbit Leah Solivan, Sonja Perkins, the founder of angel investment network Broadway Angels, and female investment network Pipeline Angel provided the designer with the first $1.3 million in 2020.
The following year, Offline Ventures cofounders Dave Morin and Brit Morin helped Adeigbo gain an additional roughly $3 million in funding.
During a pandemic, all of this. Adeigbo was expanding her firm, persuading not just venture capitalists but also retailers to invest in her brand, even though the entire world was shut down and shops were battling supply chain problems. The brand is now sold not just on the online store but also in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Intermix, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Elyse Walker, Rent the Runway, Hampden Clothing, and other stores.
There have also been increases in the numbers and categories of items the brand offers. The Autumn Adeigbo brand most recently increased its product offerings to include footwear, luggage, and a home line. This fall's collection, which Adeigbo described as being inspired by "a Parisian home party," will include boots, berets, gloves, and a larger selection of knitwear. (Hint: hand-embroidered appliqués, lace, and a variety of patterns, such as tiger stripes, florals, and polka dots)
The Council of Fashion Designers of America also invited Adeigbo to join last fall. Adeigbo received the "Fashion Designer on the Rise" honor at the Neiman Marcus-sponsored National Black Arts' Fine Art + Fashion Awards in April of this year. The following month, Adeigbo was requested by Tory Burch, one of her mentors, to participate in a video homage to Burch at the annual Parsons Benefit alongside Anna Wintour, Lazaro Hernandez, and Jack McCollough, the founders of Proenza Schouler. (Adeigbo received the Tory Burch Fellow title from the Tory Burch Foundation in 2019).
Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Alba, Selma Blair, Zooey Deschanel, Kerry Washington, Lizzo, Mindy Kaling, Busy Philipps, Amanda Gorman, Kristen Bell, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Rocky Barnes, TikTok star Charli D'Amelio, and others have all sported Adeigbo's creations, and the list of celebrities who do so keeps growing.
