House I
Sankofa
Crimson · Bronze
Ancestry. Legacy. Return.
Black Cultural Zone · A Biennial Legacy Series
Seven Houses. One crown. Your work belongs in the court.
The Coronation Court returns to the Black Cultural Zone campus in East Oakland on October 30, 2026. We are calling Black designers to dress the court — to present garments, textiles and adornment under the House whose colors and metals you claim as your own. Learn more about the gala.
Presentation night
October 30, 2026
Applications close
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
01 — Who should apply
Designers ready to be received
- Emerging and established designers working in garment, textile or adornment.
- Ateliers, collectives and independent makers everywhere with a finished body of work.
02 — How designers are featured
Behind the scenes, in the spotlight
- Selected makers are filmed and photographed while building their product.
- That behind-the-scenes footage is shared across The Coronation Court channels for exposure.
03 — The Seven Houses
Claim your key
Each House is a design prompt — a palette, a metal and a philosophy. Your application names the House whose colors you intend to work in.
House II
ORI
Obsidian · Silver
Leadership. Vision. Purpose.
House III
ASE
Royal Purple · Indigo
Media. Pulse. Influence.
House IV
Ikere
Raw Copper · Iron
Makers. Builders. Innovation.
House V
OWO
Gold · Ivory
Wealth. Flow. Prosperity.
House VI
ISESE
Forest Green · Terracotta
Growth. Roots. Nourishment.
House VII
OGU
Gunmetal · Steel
Protection. Strength. Justice.
04 — Submission requirements
What the application must carry
- I.A finished body of work ready for the court.
- II.A portfolio of 3-5 images.
- III.A link to a live archive or lookbook, if you hold one.
- IV.Release of rights for BTS footage, photography and program use.
05 — Key dates
The path to court
July 15, 2026
Applications open
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
Applications close at midnight PT
September 18, 2026
Designers notified
October 30, 2026
The Coronation — East Oakland
06 — Designer application
Present your work
Complete the record below and your application is entered for the next sitting of the selection council.
07 — Questions of the court
What is asked
Can a designer apply under more than one House?
Yes. You are welcome to apply under more than one House — name each House whose colors and metals you intend to work in.
Is there a fee to apply?
No — there is no fee to apply. Customers will be purchasing directly from the designer.
Do I need to be based in Oakland?
No. For designers who are not in town, we will make arrangements for customers to come and do a fitting at our studio.