Sergio Hudson Fall 2026

Sergio Hudson’s shows are usually a party - the kind where sequins sparkle under bright lights and champagne flows as freely as compliments. But for Fall 2026, the New York-based designer invited us somewhere more private. Presented inside the New York Public Library, his tenth anniversary collection felt less like a celebration and more like an intimate conversation about glamour, power, and longevity.

The mood was softened. Models walked slowly over a plush white carpet to a soundtrack that whispered rather than roared. Hudson said he was thinking about Aretha Franklin’s impromptu 1998 Grammy performance -the one where she replaced Pavarotti at the last minute and still stole the night. That moment of composure under pressure, of elegance used as quiet strength, set the tone.

The clothes reflected that balance. There were sharply tailored suits with Hudson’s signature cinched waists and strong shoulders, each one a reminder of why his work has graced the likes of Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Eveningwear brought softness in the form of velvet, sequins, and sweeping proportions, while a new sense of whimsy hinted at a designer comfortable enough to play. It was glamorous without shouting, confident without force.

Hudson also spoke candidly about the state of his business and his customers. “They want the special pieces,” he said. “The jackets with detail, not the basics.” That clarity shows - his clothes are made for women who want to be seen, not simply dressed. They’re not meant to be easy, and that’s precisely what makes them powerful.

A decade in, Hudson’s message feels as relevant as ever. He is still fighting for a world where Black designers are celebrated for their vision, not their label. “I love being Black, but I’m a designer,” he said. “I don’t want to be one of four.” The sentiment was echoed in every look that came down that carpeted runway - timeless, polished, and unapologetically his own.