Tracee Ellis Ross Saves Her Signature Curls for Pattern Shoots — Until Tuesday

Tracee Ellis Ross wore her signature voluminous curls at WWD Honors on Tuesday — a style she usually reserves for Pattern Beauty shoots.

The actress and founder attended the 2026 ceremony at Cipriani South Street in New York to present Ulta Beauty with the Public Beauty Company of the Year award. Her hair sat in a rounded, tightly curled shape that extended well past her shoulders and framed her face. A bold red lip completed the look.

Why was Ross there?

"I am here showing up for my wonderful retail partner, Ulta," Ross told WWD. "They are our premiere retail partner, so I'm here as a CEO."

Ross founded Pattern Beauty in 2019. The brand started with hair care and has since moved into body care and, through Ulta Beauty, into Mexico. At WWD's Los Angeles Beauty Forum in April, co-CEO Christiane Pendarvis said the company's next chapter would focus on building awareness and introducing more consumers to its products.

The hairstyle itself was the exception of the evening. "I usually save it for Pattern shoots," Ross said, brushing back her hair.

What did she wear?

Ross chose Celine's fall 2026 ready-to-wear, designed by Michael Rider — who was also honored Tuesday as Menswear Designer of the Year.

"And I'm wearing a little something I bought from Celine, this beautiful outfit," she said.

The ivory satin ensemble paired a collared jacket with fluid, wide-leg trousers. A matching coat spent part of the evening draped over her shoulders.

Two CEOs, one red lip

Ulta president and CEO Kecia Steelman explained her own outfit logic.

"I'm wearing Dolce & Gabbana because even though you're a CEO, you can still have a little spice I think in your life, and then I'm wearing a Fenty lip, because I think a powerful CEO with a red lip is a statement," Steelman told WWD.

Ross noticed the coincidence quickly.

"See? We didn't even plan it," she said, pointing back and forth between them.

Who else was honored?

The ceremony, held alongside WWD's Apparel & Retail CEO Summit, recognized several industry figures:

• Bernard Arnault of LVMH received the John B. Fairchild Honor.
• Haider Ackermann of Tom Ford was honored for womenswear design.
• Celine's Michael Rider took the menswear design award.
• Morris Goldfarb of G-III Apparel Group received the Creative Leadership Honor.
• Henry Zankov was named One to Watch.

The pairing of Ross and Steelman on one stage captured the evening's larger story: a founder-brand and its retail partner, both expanding, both in matching red lipstick. Pattern's entry into Mexico through Ulta suggests the partnership has more than ceremony left in it.