Gabrielle Union brought a bold jolt of tangerine to Los Angeles on Tuesday, stepping out for the Proudly x JCPenney launch at the Babylist Showroom. As co‑founder of Proudly alongside husband Dwyane Wade, Union balanced her bright Banana Republic stretch‑cotton poplin long midi dress in a vivid tangerine hue with a study in neutral footwear.
Her Manolo Blahnik Jadara 70 raffia mules provided the perfect counterpoint. The Italian‑made pair features an upper of hand‑woven raffia, a smooth leather lining and a leather insole and sole. Their almond‑shaped toe and 70 mm heel lend elongation, while the natural raffia weave and Manolo’s neutral tone underscore the art‑meets‑earth appeal.
Gabrielle Union Celebrates Proudly x JCPenney Launch at Babylist Showroom in LA.
Max Charles for Babylist
Accessories were pared back, letting the bold dress and textured mules do the talking. Beauty stayed true to the neutral‑meets‑bright theme, with glossy nude lips, softly contoured cheeks and sun‑kissed brows. She completed the look with sleek, middle‑parted, straight hair that fell just below her shoulders.
Union has never shied away from a standout shoe — she recently wore flame-stitched cowboy boots to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour kickoff with daughter Zaya Wade — but this time, she struck a more grounded note, pairing a bold dress with refined, neutral heels.
Gabrielle Union Celebrates Proudly x JCPenney Launch at Babylist Showroom in LA.
Behind the mules lies a brand on the move. Back in March, Manolo Blahnik unveiled a 21‑piece nautical, Picasso‑inspired capsule in collaboration with Mytheresa — his first with the retailer — melding raffia mules, bi‑color sandals, espadrilles and striped pumps in a French Riviera palette. “I have always been inspired by the French Riviera and have so many fond memories of endless summers,” Blahnik previously told WWD.
Proudly made its direct‑to‑consumer debut in 2022, expanding from tear‑free skin and diaper essentials for Black and brown families into a hair‑care line at Target last fall. This spring saw eight products earn EWG‑verified status, while partnerships with ClearForMe and the Miami Diaper Bank underscore the brand’s transparency and social mission. The JCPenney launch marks Proudly’s first department‑store footprint.