In 2004, Ciara Princess Wilson burst onto the scene with Goodies.
Shes wearing a loose, black linen jumpsuit and gold bangles she never takes off on both wrists.
I call this the wrist of loooove, she says.
She hails from the South.Atlanta.
Or Decatur, Georgia, to be more exact.
Its just how it kind of happened naturally.Ciaras career is a testament to that world, that community.
Versace corset top and gloves, Saskia Diez earring.
Photographed by Peter Ash Lee.
Fashion stylist: Herin Choi.
Hair: Cesar Ramirez.
Makeup: Samuel Paul.
Manicure: Ayumi Namaizawa.
Set design: Priscilla Lee.
I was going to ownhair salons.
That was my vision.
Hair was a big part of how we expressed in Georgia.
Between sips of tortilla soup, Ciara tells me a story from those days.
And then you know what I would do?
Put it in the microwave.
You put it in the microwave, so you create the crispy curl.
Here,Black beautyand so many different versions of a sky-high updo were on full display.
According to Ciara, theres something in the water, as they would say.
Even down from being a cheerleader growing up in the South.
Theres so much sauce, so much character.
How we all talk.
Sometimes, when I go home, its like speaking another language because of our Southern drawl.
You dont really know it until you see it.
Hairwasnt teenage Ciaras only passion.
She joined a short-lived girl group, Hearsay, with two others and cut some demos.
Its a lot of bass.
Theres a strong R&B core, which is also really fun.
You might say that Ciara is reaching back to reference herself.
Shes an industry veteran.
Greatest Love (also 2019), is an ode to her husband.
Ciara is happily married.
you could tell by the way she talks about Wilson and the two children they have together.
(She also has a son with Future.)
She doesnt want to share exactly how she ended up closing out Walkers album with her own track.
In an interesting kind of symmetry, Ciaras latest music video, Better Thangs, features Walker.
Were sitting in Ciaras Range Rover (because a car is the best place to listen to music).
She pops open her laptop on the center console and presses play.
Marc Jacobs jacket, bustier top, front-tie belt, and skirt.
Shes very hands on with her own videos and knows how she likes to be portrayed.
I learned so much in just one day, Walker says.
We have a great connection, Ciara says of Walker.
And then obviously, its been a mutual thing from a music perspective.
Im obsessed with her tone, and after we spent time together again…I just love her.
I love how she has her own pocket of what she does.
We bonded as girls.
Its just been easy.
When youre with Ciara, text message pings and Instagram notifications light up her phone in a steady stream.
Her cheeks are slightly flushed and corner eye highlights accentuate her almond-shaped eyes.
My parents werent my managers, Ciara says, so I didnt necessarily have family around me.
She and I just bonded really well and she felt like a safe place for me.
When I was around her, I felt like I had family with me or my sister.
And that was just a natural bond that happened.
Every time I would go to her about something, she always had the right advice.
She always had advice of care.
Thats what I feel like she felt.
Adidas x Gucci corset, Gucci dress.
In talking to her, I come to find out that is not far from the truth.
Meeting Frederick-Thompson made her realize that imprecise skin care wasnt going to cut it.
Shed need to invest time into taking care of her skin if she wanted to have some longevity.
Theyve been working together for almost 20 years, the span of Ciaras career.
I always bet on this one because I know what success looks like, Frederick-Thompson says.
She believes in the power of positive thoughts and words, even from a youngster.
She never succumbed to that energy that presses you down when things arent going your way.
This doesnt seem to bother Ciara.
Its something she wants to do.
She does, however, notice that she has joined a kind of sisterhood.
You look around and youre starting to see more women building out their beauty brands.
No, you’re free to do it yourself.
She continues, I think thats a really beautiful thing thats happening.
I think whenever something is right, if people receive it, it rises on its own way.
Philanthropy is intertwined in Ciaras ventures with Wilson.
After spending an afternoon with Ciara, there is one clear takeaway: She is driven.
Driven by the vision she has for her life.
When she sees an opportunity that aligns with her values values instilled back in Decatur she takes it.
Ive always been a very vocal, headstrong kind of girl, she says.
Ive always been very clear on my vision, even if my vision is not always spot-on.
Its an expression of who I am.
