The Best Fashion From the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture
— July 5, 2026
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 (July 3-5) has been taking place in New Orleans, and Black icons across entertainment, business, and politics have been showing up and out to deliver talks and performances that will inspire the next generation. While the festival has been taking place, we have been keeping an eye on the dope fashion looks worn over the weekend. Here are some of the best fits we’ve noticed.
Teyana Taylor
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Teyana Taylor attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® – Caesars’ Superdome at Caesars Superdome on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Teyana Taylor was repping purple in a baggy jumpsuit and a matching ESSENCE Festival of Culture hat.
Keke Palmer and Michelle Obama
Screenshot: Instagram (@MichelleObama)
As they took the stage for their live podcast session, Keke Palmer and Michelle Obama matched in black. While Palmer looked elegant in cropped trousers and a corset top, Obama slayed in a dress with a ruffled skirt.
Slick Rick and Kenny Burns
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: (L-R) Slick Rick and Kenny Burns pose onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Slick Rick wore a fly, casual pink-and-white suit with pink platform sneakers. Beside him, Kenny Burns posed in a Gucci ensemble with red boat shoes.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: (L-R) Ryan Destiny and Normani attend the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Ryan Destiny showed off her killer legs in a short T-shirt dress, and Normani glowed in a red leather tube dress.
Mara Brock Akil
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Mara Brock Akil attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Not doing too much but just enough, Mara Brock Akil kept her fit casual with white shorts and a snake-print, off-the-shoulder cardigan.
Rev. Al Sharpton
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Al Sharpton attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Always in a classy fit, Rev. Al Sharpton stepped out in a brown suit with a checkered vest and an emerald-green tie.
Cardi B
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Cardi B performs during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® – Caesars’ Superdome at Caesars Superdome on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Cardi B was a rockstar on stage in a leather-and-fishnet bodysuit, embellished with metal rings and wild yellow hair. We’re loving everything about this look.
Kandi Burruss
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Kandi Burruss speaks onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
On stage during the Beautycon panel talk, Kandi Burruss gave business chic in yellow capris, a light blue blazer, and a matching scarf.
DeVon Franklin
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: DeVon Franklin attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Film producer DeVon Franklin let his inner wildcat out in a leopard-print shirt paired with cream trousers.
Kendra G
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Kendra G attends the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kendra G made sure to bless the paparazzi cameras with a gorgeous fit as she posed in gold heels, a royal blue skirt, and a white shirt.
Cynthia Bailey
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Cynthia Bailey attends the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Model Cynthia Bailey stunned in a full beige lace suit and matching heels. We’re loving the summer, beachy vibes.
Josh Levi
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Josh Levi attends 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® at Caesars Superdome on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
In a pair of denim shorts, a Diesel belt, and a black tee, singer Josh Levi pulled off an effortlessly cool fit.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Rep. Jasmine Crockett spoke on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage in an elegant gray dress, strappy heels, and chunky jewelry.
Leon Thomas
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Leon Thomas performs onstage during 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® at Caesars Superdome on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Leon Thomas took the stage in a matching brown set, blacked-out sunglasses, and a flat cap. There’s no denying his steeze.
Tamar Braxton
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Tamar Braxton attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Always fierce, Tamar Braxton served in a black mini skirt with a cape and a lace bodysuit.
Patti LaBelle
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Patti LaBelle performs onstage during 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® at Caesars Superdome on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Radiant as ever, the iconic Patti LaBelle took the stage in a silky, bright yellow suit with a train.
Michael Ealy and Jaalen Best
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: (L-R) Michael Ealy and Jaalen Best attend the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Michael Ealy and actor Jaalen Best stopped by the ESSENCE carpet in jeans and shirts. To add a little more oomph to his look, Best draped a sweater over his shoulders.
Dr. Karri Bryant
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 04: Dr. Karri Bryant attends the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 04, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Pastor Dr. Karri Bryant was another speaker on the Global Black Economic Forum panel. She attended the talk in a yellow, floor-length silk gown and purple heels.
Loren Lorosa
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Loren Lorosa attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
The Breakfast Club’s Loren Lorosa stole the spotlight in a pink gown, sparkling matching heels, and her iconic pixie cut.
