Must Read: Emma Grede and Aurora James on Status of Fifteen Percent Pledge, Rhode Names New CEO

These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.

Emma Grede and Aurora James on the status of the Fifteen Percent Pledge
The Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James and Chair Emma Grede will host its third annual gala in Los Angeles on Saturday; Tracee Ellis Ross will be honored with the Trailblazer Award at the $10,000-a-plate dinner. The Pledge's operating budget has soared from $500,000 in 2020 to an estimate $7 million in 2024, and nearly 7,000 Black-owned brands have been brought into the Pledge's Business Equity Community. "And in light of recent attacks on DEI, and as we go into an election year, it's really important to remind people that this isn't a political agenda, it's about creating actual opportunity for small, American-owned businesses," James told WWD during a joint interview with Grede. {WWD/paywalled}

Rhode names new CEO
Hailey Bieber's Rhode has tapped beauty industry veteran Nick Vlahos as its CEO. The change is effective immediately as Vlahos takes over from Melanie Bender, who departed in October 2023. Vlahos was previously the chief executive of The Honest Company, Jessica Alba's personal- and home-care line. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Apple's new mixed-reality headset features shopping experiences 
The Apple Vision Pro, Apple's new mixed-reality headset that retails for $3,500, is available now for purchase and includes apps that offer shopping experiences from brands like J.Crew, Mytheresa, Elf Cosmetics, Alo and Decathlon. Mytheresa's immersive shopping experiences let viewers browse pieces curated for the environments they choose, such as a virtual Capri beachside complete with sounds of waves and seagulls, or Paris at night with a 3-D realistic Eiffel Tower in the background. Though no one has cracked virtual reality shopping yet, Apple's latest move in the space is drawing in brands looking to expand into the mixed-reality retail channel. {Vogue Business/paywalled}

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Julia Fox and Law Roach to host fashion competition series "OMG Fashun"
A new fashion competition series called "OMG Fashun" is premiering on E! with two back-to-back half-hour episodes on May 6 at 9 p.m. ET. Co-hosted by Julia Fox and Law Roach, each episode challenges three designers to push the boundaries of fashion through unconventional materials and eye-catching looks. Each week, one winner will receive $10,000 and Fox will model their garment. {Fashionista inbox}

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