While attending Pratt Institute, Emilio worked a part-time job at Grace Costumes as a shopper and eventually became its creative director in 2006. His first design job out of college was as an assistant costume master for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, touring domestically and internationally.[4]
In 2010, Emilio Sosa then went onto Season 7 of Project Runway, winning five challenges and being runner-up in the finale episode.[2] In 2012, he was runner-up for Project Runway Allstars. He then went on to co-create the fashion line Esosa Designs with his brothers. Celebrities seen wearing Esosa Designs include Wendy Williams, Taraji P. Henson, and Uzo Aduba.[5]
Honors and recognition
Emilio was the first designer of color to design the Radio City Music Hall Spring Spectacular and a new number in the 2018 Christmas show, starring The Rockettes.[1]
In 2005, he received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production for the musical, Señor Discretion Himself.[6] He was called the 2003 Design Virtuoso in the American Theatre Magazine.[2] His costume design work on By the Way, Meet Vera Stark received the Henry Hewes Award in 2011 and Lucille Lortel Award. He was also awarded the LA Ovation Award for his work on the musical Twist, the 2006 Irene Sharaff Young Master Award, and the 2015 NAACP Theatre Awards for the musical Porgy and Bess.[7]
