It’s not always heartwarming to see Gabrielle Union light up when she talks about her daughter Kaavia. The widely dubbed “Shady Baby,” at just 6, handles the world with a mix of sass and curiosity that has made her a viral sensation on the internet. For Union and Dwyane Wade though, Kaavia is also an inspiration, as she pushes them to be the best parents possible despite the couple understandably having a packed schedule.
From court-side glamor to red carpet power moves, Union and Wade have always been in the spotlight. Yet, they always find the time to raise their daughter away from the public glare. That may be set to change, to some extent.
Their next project is a jump into baby fashion, a whopping $124 billion industry, something Union revealed is inspired by Kaavia’s emotional sincerity and fearless expression. The couple unveiled a baby clothing line under their brand PROUDLY at JCPenney, and seem to be doing it for all the right reasons.
For newborns up to 24 months, the line has watercolor-inspired designs made to enhance all skin tones, as well as buttery-soft onesies and hooded towels. Union said, “It’s about representation, quality, and celebrating all families,” adding that their goal is obvious: to make joy wearable and diversity standard.
Yet this isn’t just a celebrity-backed product drop, but a campaign grounded in values by a true power couple. Union emphasized the importance of giving parents “options they can trust and feel good about,” while Wade called the project “an extension of how we live—loud, proud, and unafraid.”
Senior VP of JCPenney Chris Phillips echoed the feeling, commending the line for its balance of beauty, affordability, and comfort, which lets families “celebrate every cherished moment together without compromise.” And while the reasons are commendable, this is hardly the first time Kaavia has directly influenced her parents’ actions.
How Kaavia’s School Fears Led to Gabrielle Union’s Great Message for All Kids
Kaavia took center stage in a recent People interview due to a quiet confession she made to her mom: she occasionally feels terrified at school. “I’m not afraid… sometimes at school,” she had stated. That genuine honesty revealed what young children with famous parents often have to experience: always being the center of attention.
Union, shaped by her own struggles for identification in Hollywood, reacted with grace. She told Kaavia, “You don’t have to always just do what everyone else is doing just so they stay friends with you… That’s not real friendship.” Her comments emanated the same kind of emotional awareness very evident behind the PROUDLY brand.
Jul 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade and girlfriend Gabrielle Union walk the red carpet as they arrive at the 2013 ESPYS at the Nokia Theater. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Union and Wade have previously worked on projects motivated by Kaavia. Their children’s book, Shady Baby, became a New York Times bestseller. Union stated, “We wanted a little Black girl as the main character.” The story was as much about representation as it was about the healing of generational narratives.
It’s clear that the couple’s brand isn’t just about clothes, but also about change and action. It is, at the least, a resounding chapter in the legacy that Dwayne Wade simply continues to build.
The post Inspired by ‘Fearless’ Kaavia, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Expand Into $124 Billion industry appeared first on EssentiallySports.
