A La Mode: Ese Azenabor's Fashion Show Review by Edith Duarte

from The Summer Issue (2022)

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Kate Peterson -- The NOW Massage

I had the absolute privilege of attending Esé Azénabor’s fashion show in Dallas on May 1st. While, the studio setting was more intimate than your typical fashion show, this invitation-only experience was nothing short of spectacular. Esé is known for her impeccable taste and exceptional attention to detail. As the models made their way down the shiny runway, each gown shone more brightly than the one before. I snapped away and wondered how I got lucky enough to get an invitation. Every cell phone documented each flawless gown. A few key members of Dallas glitterati had assembled together and I could hear the sound of cameras click, click, clicking furiously!

To me, there was more to this exquisitely-styled event. My eye suddenly became focused on the people seated just a few seats down from me in the front row: Esé’s little girl, mother, and adoring husband. I snapped a few candids to give to Ese later and began reflecting on Esés success and it’s significance for female business in Dallas. To put it very simply she is a selfmade entrepreneur with mad skills.

As if the evening was not perfect enough, Ese’s little girl donned a child-sized couture version of her mommy’s dress that dazzled us all. The mood in the room felt hopeful as many of us had only now started to venture out to public events. As Ese put it, ‘today [marked] her “first fashion show in Dallas in two years!’ The pandemic had halted most in person events but Esé managed to keep her thriving business alive through social media, online sales, and COVID-friendly trunk shows held in cities across the US.