Juneteenth Fashion Show Returns for Another 'Hot' Showcase at Legacy Hall's Lexus Box Garden

The second annual Juneteenth Fashion Show returned to the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall in Plano on June 18, to usher in a record number of attendees. Presented and produced by Think Three Media, the Juneteenth Fashion Show was inspired by award-winning author Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts and her best-selling book, "Black Joy".

Juneteenth Fashion Show 2023 at Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall. Model wears AND MADE by Alexis Daniels.Photo byAri Talton

"Joy is a universal human experience," said Lewis-Giggetts during a podcast interview with Leah Frazier, CEO of Think Three Media and host of the PR Yourself with Leah Frazier podcast. "It is physiologically a response to pleasure. 'Black joy' is our celebration that lives within our particular experience."

Drawing inspiration from Lewis-Giggetts, Frazier developed the show to center around joy, hope, and inspiration. 14 North Texas designers and brands were featured, in what turned out to be a vibrantly soulful and colorful extravaganza. As a new component to this year's event, student designers from Cedar Hill High School were featured, as well as Oluwaferanmi Joseph "OJ", a student entrepreneur from the University of Texas at Dallas, who debuted his African-inspired brand ASA.

Juneteenth Fashion Show 2023 at Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall in Plano. Model wears ASA African accessories.Photo byAri Talton

The historical event was emceed by Venny Etienne (Project Runway Season 17 and award-winning fashion designer for Levenity), and media personality Lady Jade, and featured an array of colorful designs and accessories hailing from 14 local designers (many award-winning) and brands, including:

• Annia Louisa (Resortwear)
• AND-MADE
• Pink Lucy
• Greater Good Apparel
• One Street Sales
• ASA
• House of Dasha
• PHIT Clothing
• TJL Collection
• I LUV U BLK
• Cedar Hill High School
• Legacy West Stores (Bonobos, Warby Parker, Albion, Nike, Free People, Levi's, Coach)
• Five Eleven Clothing

Violinist Shondalla plays to the crowd as models for One Street Sales take the runway. Juneteenth Fashion Show 2023 at Lexus Box Garden.Photo byAri Talton

Surprise appearances were made by Lily of @lilyslifeview, brand ambassador for Brown Girls Do Ballet; violinist Shondalla Calder; and professional opera singer, Madelyn Brene.

"I am thankful to Legacy West and Legacy Hall for their partnership in helping to bring my vision to life once again," said Leah Frazier, CEO of Think Three Media. "This year's theme of 'Black Joy' hopefully inspired the crowd to live more beautifully, boldly and joyfully. With the inclusion of our pop-up vendor shops and QR code, guests were immediately able to shop what they saw straight off the runway, and connect with the brands. The effects were immediate. Overall, the event was an incredible success. I'm thankful for our new sponsors Comerica Bank and Toast for Charity, and I look forward to seeing what's in store for 2024."

Juneteenth Fashion Show 2023 at Lexus Box Garden at Legacy West in Plano. Model wears One Street Sales.Photo byAri Talton

Local community leaders and fashion enthusiasts gathered at the runway from Julie McCullough (The Pin Show Founder, Veteran Fashion Designer), the Mayor of Plano John Muns, Dallas Black Bloggers group, Sean Reed, James Thomas, Byron Sanders (CEO of Big Thought), and many others. Guests enjoyed food and beverages from Legacy Hall, while listening to the latest in Hip-Hop and R&B by DJ Dr. Mack.

"The Juneteenth Fashion Show was absolutely amazing and incredible," said photographer Carlos Vincent in an Instagram Reel recap. "The designers were bonkers. The stylists, the whole production was crazy, crazy, crazy. There were so many amazing designers with amazing pieces. This show made the city, the state and the culture look good."