Erika Dalya Massaquoi has spent her life creating with intention. Now entering a new chapter, Massaquoi invites guests to reminisce with her.
Massaquoi has held many titles in her life: Contemporary art curator. Fashion journalist. Doctor of Philosophy and Assistant Dean of the School of Art & Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Over the last ten years, she’s traveled the globe, motivated by a love of art, history, and restorative and reparative justice. Massaquoi used the knowledge she gained on these travels to pour inspiration into (arguably) the most stylish title of all: Founder and CEO of OULA.
Motivated by visual culture, OULA prioritizes sustainability in design, made from globally sourced materials including African Wax Fabric, merino wool and vintage dead stock textiles produced under fair conditions. Moreover, OULA garments are hand-crafted for long-lasting wear and versatility: practical, trans-seasonal pieces with the bright, dynamic feel of the Black Is Beautiful movement of the 1960s and 70s.
And while OULA’s story is far from over, the designer behind it is entering a new chapter, marked by saying farewell to her longtime residency in her historic home, The Stonehouse at Capitol Hill.
To celebrate this new chapter, Massaquoi is opening the doors of her home for an intimate shopping experience: “At Home With OULA.” As reported by The Curio Cabinet, this event will celebrate Massaquoi’s achievements with signature cocktails, an OULA-inspired playlist and the opportunity for guests to shop one-of-a-kind dresses, tunics, caftans and jewelry.
Yes, the event is an exclusive shopping experience, but it’s also an archival glimpse into the history of OULA, one that Massaquoi “centrally autobiographical.”
“If the early collections were orchestral, the work today feels more acoustic — stripped back to the essentials,” said Massaquoi. “When I started the brand, I was designing from memory, drawing heavily from my mother’s 1970s style, my childhood growing up in Miami, and international travel that cultivated an intercontinental chic. Apart from that, the strongest element of OULA has always been our silhouettes.”
Mirroring innately human change, Massaquoi’s approach toward design has shifted over time. Still rooted in service and experience, OULA’s aesthetic naturally adapts alongside its designer.
“Today, the work is still autobiographical, but I now design from the life I’m actively living and am increasingly drawn to lighter cottons, denim, and sensual fabrics that remain tactile but carry a bit more maturity and edge as I embrace a greater sense of freedom and simplicity in both my life and my work.”
And, just like personal growth, sometimes this change isn’t easy. In fact, in preparing to say goodbye to her Capitol Hill home, Massaquoi is similarly saying goodbye to some deeply sentimental pieces.
“The hardest pieces to part with are the mother-daughter looks I created for Luba and me for our annual holiday cards,” Massaquoi shared. “Each year, those garments became a marker of time, capturing who we were in that moment.”
These mother-daughter pieces will be available for purchase at “At Home With OULA,” alongside other archival garments throughout OULA’s decade of operation. Guests will have the opportunity to shop directly with Massaquoi and hear the stories behind each piece – and the real, experienced wisdom from a well-established creative.
When asked about this wisdom, Massaquoi distills her creative philosophy into a single, essential practice: “Start by listening. The best design comes from understanding how people actually live, work, and gather. Service-minded design isn’t about imposing your vision — it’s about creating beauty, dignity, and joy in ways that genuinely support others.”
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When the event is over and the doors of The Stonehouse close, one chapter will end and another will begin. On the precipice of the next one, Massaquoi sees a future for both herself and her brand that expands beyond Capitol Hill and beyond fashion design to include creativity with an all-encompassing lens.
“I would love to see OULA become an even more global lifestyle brand spanning fashion, hospitality, wellness, publishing, and immersive experiences,” Massaquoi imagined. “Soon, I will have the time and space to realize that vision at a pace that makes sense for this new chapter of my life.”
As for her own future, she sees this professional evolution balanced by a change in her own rhythm, one defined by a slower, more intentional pace and the opportunity to continue seeing the world, sharing her art with the world and remaining present through it all.
“I imagine a sun-soaked life rich with creativity and travel — with enough time near a pool or a beach to enjoy it all.”
“At Home With OULA,” offers complimentary admission on Sat, Jun 27 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at 740 N Washington St. RSVP here.
