Esé Azénabor
7 dresses
Esé Azénabor was born in Nigeria, raised in Canada, and taught herself to design, starting at age eight by taking apart her mother's clothes to see how they were made. She studied accounting and moved to Dallas for a master's degree before leaving that path to launch her own label in 2012, without outside funding. The brand is still based in Dallas, and in 2023 she opened a second atelier on Madison Avenue in New York, the first Nigerian-owned womenswear store on that street. Her gowns are known for heavy hand beading with crystals and pearls, hand embroidery on French lace and tulle, and structured corsetry, mixing vintage, African, and European influences. Expect to spend roughly $7,000 to $15,000 or more, and if you like her eveningwear too, Porsha Williams wore a custom beaded Esé Azénabor gown to the Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13 reunion.
