Sergio Hudson Makes Power Plays on the Runway
Not even torrential downpour could stop the fashion set from gathering at Spring Studios last night to see Sergio Hudson’s latest collection. On the heels of his first magazine cover, where the designer poses alongside longtime supporter Keke Palmer for Essence, Hudson is a star in his own right, not just someone who creates clothes for them. His latest fashion show, dubbed Collection 12, brought that same energy, opening with wide-leg plaid pants and a denim corset paired over a white button-down shirt, all brought together by a baby pink bouclé jacket, while girl power anthems like Destiny’s Child “Independent Women Part I” and Trina’s “Told Y’all” hummed in the background. And yes, Hudson is telling us by the way—through structured silhouettes, impeccable tailoring, and looks for badass women and housewives alike (Jenna Lyons and Gizelle Bryant were notably in attendance).
Danielle Brooks, Karen Pittman, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Yvonne Orji.
Other guests included Halima Aden, Aoki and Kimora Lee Simmons, and June Ambrose. Danielle Brooks laughed with fellow actresses Yvonne Orji and Susan Kelechi Watson. “We look like skittles,” Orji commented as she and Watson took a photo together. Rapper and singer Doechii posed with La La Anthony, while Quinta Brunson glided through the crowd in a Sergio Hudson plaid blazer dress that Abbott Elementary principal Ava Coleman could only dream of wearing. And Just Like That… star Karen Pittman proudly posed in a Sergio Hudson graphic tee paired with a pencil skirt and neon yellow structured blazer.
The only thing better than the A-listers was the show itself. Hudson took classic patterns and placed them on non-traditional silhouettes—a houndstooth jumpsuit sashayed down the runway, sheer lavallière tops were paired with flouncy pleated skirts, sequin miniskirts, and even styled under a vegan leather corset top. Hudson, known for his monochromatic power suits, showed head-to-toe looks in bright colors, like electric blue and sunburst orange, as well as more muted tones including olive green, red, and chocolate brown. A beautiful mustard yellow tone was weaved throughout his latest wares, and the perfect three-piece gray suit for closing deals and doing business.
In terms of beauty, business met balletcore, with black bows resting on top of slicked-back, netted buns. All the models donned brown lipliner and a nude lip—a noticeable nod to the ’90s. For models not rocking ’70s-esque shades, latte makeup was in full effect with smokey brown eyes and bronzed cheeks. The muted makeup trends paired nicely with the monochromatic looks.
The pro to being the last show of the evening is that you can truly shut down a venue. Hudson held after-show drinks for attendees courtesy of On the Rocks cocktails, and afterward, continued the party at Alligator Pear, where he celebrated his long-awaited show amongst friends, models, celebrities, and industry insiders. Because the collection was made for the modern-day corporate woman, it makes sense that most could wear Sergio late into the night and the next morning.
Beauty Director
Danielle James is the Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she was the Fashion and Beauty Director of HelloBeautiful.com and MadameNoire.com. She’s bylined for The Cut, InStyle, Allure, Business of Fashion, Nylon, Essence, Good Housekeeping, The Grio, and Huffington Post. Danielle enjoys sailing, thrifting, Japanese whiskey, Naomi Campbell’s runway walk, and Rihanna in the comment section.