Dive Brief:

• Former Apple retail guru and failed J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson is leading a $16 million Series C funding round in Los Angeles-based Nasty Gal.

• The edgy women’s apparel and accessories e-retailer has been trying to manage some growing pains, recently appointing a new CEO and venturing into brick-and-mortar.

• Johnson is viewed by many as the brains behind Apple’s uniquely successful brick-and-mortar operation, and already assisted Nasty Gal with its first store. The store opened Nov. 21 on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles with celebrities, two-way mirrors allowing customers to see into the store while in dressing rooms, phone charging stations, quick iPad-assisted checkout, and other tech niceties.

Dive Insight:

Nasty Gal has shown some signs of faltering recently, laying off several tech and public relations staff last fall. But founder Sophia Amoruso, while she may not have much by way of business management education or experience, seems to be wise enough to seek out people who do, and to take things slowly. Amoruso stepped down as CEO earlier this year and has turned to one of retail’s most influential bosses for guidance and investment. 

“We don’t have an aggressive rollout planned,” she told Re/Code and added, in her signature "Girl Boss" fashion, “We want to get another one open, learn a lot and then hopefully destroy everyone.”