TULSA, Okla. – On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the historic Big 10 Ballroom on East Apache Street pulsed with music, movement, and meaning as Tulsa’s Juneteenth Festival unveiled the “Legacy & Luxury” Fashion Show.
The runway experience honored the past while spotlighting the brilliance of Black fashion’s future. Featuring collections from local designers, the event showcased the richness of Tulsa’s growing fashion scene.
The atmosphere was electric as the show opened with a collaborative showcase from Archive Eleven and Virtuous Style, setting the tone with bold structure and flowing elegance. Designed by Lonnie McQuarters and Alandria Butler, the collection merged masculine edge with soft sophistication, a visual representation of balance, history, and strength.
Black fashion show highlights creativity
Among the night’s most moving moments was the presentation by Tamara Lockett, creator of Flip the Hat. Her journey began with a gift: a handmade hat she created for her spiritual mother. That simple act sparked a revelation her spiritual mother told her she had a calling. Since then, Lockett has transformed her craft into a ministry, using fashion to promote mental health awareness and the importance of “protecting your crown.” Every piece she creates is a wearable testimony to healing, resilience, and divine purpose.
Khalil Griffin, Langston University alum and founder of Blu Print, brought a modern, reflective edge to the show. His brand’s motto “It’s more than a clothing line, it’s the Blu Print” underscores his mission to create space for identity through style. His collection invited attendees to see themselves not just in the clothes, but in the story behind them: one of authenticity, creativity, and confidence.
Designs by Denna Latrice Designs by Denna Clark, as well as solo collections by Archive Eleven and Virtuous Style, rounded out the show with diverse looks that celebrated Black elegance, innovation, and storytelling.
Set in the iconic Big 10 Ballroom, a venue that once hosted Black legends during segregation, the fashion show was more than just a night of style. It was a declaration of legacy, of luxury, and of Black brilliance, rising from Greenwood and boldly stepping into the future.
Designers included:
- Archive Eleven & Virtuous Style – by Lonnie McQuarters and Alandria Butler
- Flip the Hat – by Tamara Lockett
- Blu Print – by Khalil Griffin
- Denná Latrice Designs – by Denná Clark
- Live performance by Folami
Lonnie McQuarters, co-curator and speaker, shared his journey in fashion, from early work with Ludacris and Tyler Perry to design experiences in New York and abroad. He emphasized the importance of bringing fashion opportunities to Tulsa and supporting Black creatives, despite limited resources. “We shouldn’t have to leave our hometowns to make it,” McQuarters said. “We deserve to build something here.”
Denná Clark spoke about blending vintage and modern design, as well as her dual role as an educator. “Fashion is my art, but teaching is my purpose,” she said. DS, founder of The Shade Room Eyewear, highlighted the need for accessible vision care in Tulsa, stating, “Looking good is important, but so is seeing clearly, both literally and in how we view our community.”
The show was part of a larger Juneteenth celebration, aiming to connect fashion, culture, and community growth.
