You live only once. So said the soundtrack as models wearing Sergio Hudson‘s spring 2025 collection sauntered down the stairs. If you’ve been to a Hudson show, you know the soundtrack always gets the crowd bumping in their seats. This time it struck a different chord, with Nancy Wilson’s light airy jazz rendition of “The Good Life” setting the mood for one of the designer’s strongest collections yet.
“This year has been difficult for me, business wise. I really wanted something to lift me,” Hudson said backstage, adding that the “Valley of the Dolls” also helped him find inspiration.
And lift up it did. His classics were here — color, sequins, silk shirting, impeccable suiting — but they struck a decidedly elegant beat, awash with ’60s glamour. The palette was soft-hued pastels, like a pink cap-sleeve knit long dress; body-conscious but still easy, a piece for all body types. Tailoring was boxy shouldered, but with loose high-waisted flowing pants and shorts, paired with a number of silk blouses, all monochromatic, a Hudson staple. They, too, have been refined — many looks had chiffon long and billowing from the neck halter.
A new chapter was menswear. “Clients ask for their husbands. ‘When are you going to make men’s clothes?’” he said, answering the call with saturated green button-ups with matching linen pants and bright suiting. It took the same soft strides as the womenswear. “I’m trying to show that we plan to be a brand that can dress the whole household,” Hudson said.
The democracy of fashion is key to him. Hudson set up the show with most having a front-row seat, as “intimate” as he could. Speaking of democracy, Hudson has a recently designed “Vote” hoodie up for pre-sale on the Harris-Walz website, which came from his relationship of dressing the current vice president. “I wanted to speak to the Black people, because, you know, we have a low percentage of voting,” he said of the piece.
As for the runway, it was about an aspirational life. “Just living well and living to your fullest potential, not necessarily rich, but living good.”
A beat he hit exactly.