From fashion designers to local artists Eastern Market After Dark shines a spotlight on the city’s creative entrepreneurs.
Since its debut in 2012, Eastern Market After Dark has grown into one of the most anticipated highlights of Detroit Month of Design, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The event brings Detroiters from all walks of life — transforming the historic Eastern Market into a hub of creativity and connection. Beyond highlighting the city’s talent, the event also encourages people to reinvest in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
“I want people to get out and realize how many creative entrepreneurs we have here in Detroit. That's really what Eastern Market After Dark is about at the end of the day. And it's not just artists — it's people in virtual reality and tech. It's people in fashion. It's people like the Michigan Economic Growth Department who have a whole outdoor booth trying to inspire more people to get into the industry. Our nonprofit was created to support creative industries because the State of Michigan had done a large research project and found out that most of our entrepreneurs are in the creative space here in Detroit. So the whole thing is to get common Detroiters who may not be creative to realize how much talent is actually here.” - Ashely Seay Green, Design Core.
“Today I wanted to show the process of how I make the garment. It's like an iridescent type and very experimental, I would say. I've been designing my whole life, but I started my business when I graduated from CCS back in 2016. Since then, I've been doing fashion shows, custom pieces, wedding dresses, displays, everything.” - Nabeela Najjar, fashion designer
"I like to dispel the idea that everything as Detroiters, we need to find it outside of Detroit. In the suburbs, things are better. I don't believe that. When I started my company, I was a single mom — I had a daughter, and I wanted to be an asset to my community and raise my daughter. So I was researching what company I would start. I just fell in love with ginger and just kept experimenting with it. But prior to that, I was always taking fresh fruits and vegetables and making my own drinks, and letting family and friends try." - Monique Sasser, Nikki's GingerTea
"I created hey.mefirst as a response to feeling like I was being pulled in all of these different directions and I was prioritizing everyone else before myself. And I wanted an opportunity to prioritize myself. I've been trying to create a movement around prioritizing yourself and not thinking of that as being selfish. Our bodies are being harmed by not taking what we need and giving ourselves that time." - Erin Nae, hey.mefirst
"It's a good vibe to see the city of Detroit come together. That would be my favorite part. This is a very diverse city. Everybody has their own little tribe depending on where they stay, but when everyone comes out, everybody comes together to have a good time." - Maverick Dredd
This article was published in conjunction with Outlier Media.
