Sharp Lines, Soft Power: Inside Sergio Hudson’s Opening Night At El Paseo Fashion Week

By Ersilia Pompilio

Opening night at El Paseo Fashion Week 2026 felt less like a runway and more like a cinematic flashback where past and present stitched themselves into one sleek silhouette.

In our Sergio Hudson Designer Spotlight, the mood was unmistakable: sharp, confident, and deliciously androgynous.

We loved the menswear-inspired tailoring sweeping the runway—boxy, oversized, and effortlessly cool. Think power shoulders, relaxed trousers, and blazers that whisper, “I borrowed this—but made it better.” This is androgynous fashion at its finest: a blend of masculine structure and feminine ease, where suits, ties, and clean lines become tools of self-expression rather than rules.

It all felt like a modern echo of the 1970s, when Bianca Jagger shut it down in a white suit—no shirt, all attitude. Bold. Slightly rebellious. Completely unforgettable. Hudson’s runway captured that same energy, but gave it a 2026 remix.

“I’ve been designing clothing since I was a teenager” Hudson shared. “I created this line in 2016 and now it’s on the runway at El Paseo opening night of fashion week.”

As the night deepened, tailoring softened into glamour. Sequined short gowns shimmered under the lights, paired with flowing overcoats that trailed like afterthoughts of drama. Long sequined gowns followed, complete with bustles and trains that floated with every step. And that red suit with the red fur coat? Pure main-character energy.

Call it power dressing. Call it androgyny. We call it unforgettable.

About the Author

Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. Ersilia has over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.