SOKO MRKT

Discover and Shop

Shop the brands you love and meet the brands you need to know at Soko Market! Come face-to-face with trending and emerging fashion collections, plus get exclusive access to new product lines, in this unique shopping experience.

FASHION TALKS

Join the Group Chat

Get a front row seat as we bring Black creativity to life through conversation. Some of fashion’s most influential visionaries unite to share their unfiltered perspectives and push the global boundaries of what luxury truly means.

NETWORKING HOUR

Networking With Fashion Enthusiasts

Looking to meet like-minded fashion enthusiasts? ESSENCE Fashion House™ is your destination. Whether you attend with friends or come alone, get ready to build lasting connections with others who share your love for fashion.

TRENDSETTING TUNES

Music To Set The Vibe

Our DJs will set the tone all evening long and provide the perfect backdrop as you shop, network, learn, and connect in a space created for fashion fanatics just like you.

EVA MARCILLE

Actress, Model, and ESSENCE Fashion House Host

Eva Marcille (@evamarcille) is a powerhouse in entertainment, excelling as an actor, model, entrepreneur, and TV host. She gained fame by winning America's Next Top Model and a coveted COVERGIRL contract, then graced covers like ESSENCE and Women's Health. Transitioning into acting, Eva captivated audiences in "The Young and the Restless," earning two NAACP Image Awards. Currently, she stars in BET's hit series "All the Queens Men."

Dapper Dan

Author & Global Fashion Icon

A New York Times bestselling author and global fashion icon with a remarkable rags to riches story, Dapper Dan pioneered streetwear in the early 1980s with his eponymous store on 125th Street. Co-opting luxury branding to design original garments with high-end detail, Dapper Dan first drew powerful New York City hustlers as clientele, who flocked to him thanks to his strong street reputation as a legendary professional gambler and dandy. He then went on to outfit the world’s top entertainers and celebrities, all leading to his notoriety.

DJ DAVID

DJ

DJ David (@itsdavidthedj) is a renowned NYC-based DJ who has captivated the social media world with his viral DJ transitions and sets. Featured in NYTimes and The Knot, David founded Club 1BD - the popular event series known for bringing the spirit of an apartment party to every event. David's sound is deeply influenced by his New Jersey upbringing, and his Ecuadorian & Guyanese roots. His nostalgic and vibrant sets create a carefree atmosphere perfect for dancing.

EDVIN THOMPSON

Founder, Theophilio

Edvin Thompson (@edvinthompson), a Jamaican-American designer, founded Theophilio in 2016. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in the U.S., he blends Jamaican culture with New York style. Thompson’s unique vision quickly gained recognition, earning him a spot as a 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and the title of American Emerging Designer of the Year at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards, solidifying his place in the future of American fashion.

FERG

Music Artist

A founding member of Harlem's A$AP Mob, FERG was initially the group's main clothing designer, but after teaming with Mob member A$AP Rocky, he became one of the crew's breakout rappers. FERG channeled his uniqueness into success, hitting the Top Ten charts with proper studio albums Trap Lord and Always Strive and Prosper. Then in 2020 his single off of Floor Seats II, “Move Ya Hips”, hit the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. FERG is a truly unique and multifaceted artist that spans from art, film, and fashion, to sports, philanthropy, and food.

MISA HYLTON

Fashion Architect & Founder of Misa Hylton Fashion Academy.

With over 30 years of experience, Misa Hylton has been a “renaissance” woman at the forefront of seismic shifts in fashion, music, and culture. She is acclaimed for creating iconic looks that simultaneously capture an unforgettable moment while setting the stage for what everyone will want to wear next. She is the founder of the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, a non- profit which offers education for creatives looking to build a successful career in the fashion world. ”

Soull & Dynasty Ogun

Founders of L’Enchanteur

L’Enchanteur established in 2017 in Brooklyn, by identical twins Soull and Dynasty Ogun, is a multi-facet design house. A creative incubator elevating the ordinary by designing a new generation of ethereal clothing, jewelry and art.

McDonald's Black & Positively Golden® Change of Fashion: The Designers

A Conversation with Fashion’s Next Generation

The rising designers at the heart of McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden® Change of Fashion program––Shareef Mosby, Nia Thomas, Larissa Muehleder, Durrell Dupard, and Heart Roberts––will discuss their journeys in fashion.

HEART ROBERTS

Designer

Introducing Heart Roberts, a visionary hailing from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, NY. At just 23, they ignited their creative spark amidst the chaos of the pandemic at the tender age of 20. Their passion for denim and leather knows no bounds, particularly in the art of manipulation and distressing. Enter the realm of HEARTHROB, where sustainability intertwines seamlessly with high fashion, forging a path towards a more conscious and stylish future.

LARISSA MUEHLEDER

Founder and Designer

Having spent her earliest years in Nigeria, her heritage taught her to embody a love for boldness and vibrancy. These traits shine through in Muehleder. With feminine silhouettes, cascading ruffles, and a fearless embrace of bold hues, Muehleder has captured the attention of amazing women everywhere. Icons like Zendaya, Issa Rae, and Cardi B embraced her vision, amplifying the brand's impact.

House of Miyake Mugler

Public Figure

Growing from a small collective of LGBT and LGBT allies looking to change the social misconceptions in October 1989, we have grown 30 years strong with hundreds of beautifully talented creatives earning international acclaim and ultimately becoming a cultural phenomenon. With millions of followrs collectively, our members have set a standard of what excellence is in the House & Ballroom scene. You cannot speak on pop culture without saying the words 'Miyake Mugler'.

Donye Taylor

Creative Consultant

Durrell Dupard

Designer

Krystal A. Phillips

Fashion Designer

Téjahn Burnett

Fashion Designer