Woodford Reserve is going high fashion via a new partnership with two luxury designers.
Sergio Hudson and Anifa Mvuemba, who have created fashion for everyone from Michelle Obama to Beyoncé, will design pieces for The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes Collection, which is inspired by the flavors and craftsmanship of the whiskey. The collaboration was first announced during New York Fashion Week and will debut at the 150th running of The Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve. Hudson and Mvuemba will attend the derby, along with their muses wearing pieces from each designer’s collection.
The Flavor Notes collection will bring Woodford Reserve’s 200+ flavor notes to life and showcase how its bourbon is a spectacle for the senses. “Woodford Reserve brings substance and style to everything we do,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “These fashion statements from Sergio and Anifa are an extension of the bourbon lifestyle in a luxurious way.”
Hudson is an American designer passionate about making women feel beautiful, fearless, glamorous and confident through his women’s ready-to-wear luxury clothing line, The Sergio Hudson Brand. At a young age in the mid-1980s, Hudson grew a great love and respect for fashion idols and felt he was destined for a career in fashion. Today, he is focused on normalizing inclusivity in the industry and bringing back the joy of dressing.
“Just like Woodford Reserve, every garment I create requires meticulous attention to detail,” said Sergio Hudson. “I am excited to help tell the story of how Woodford Reserve is more than a bourbon, showing it is a spectacle for the senses through the pieces I create. The Derby is just the start of our trendsetting partnership.”
Mvuemba, is the CEO, Founder and Creative Director of Hanifa, a luxury ready-to-wear womenswear label. The self-taught designer moved to the United States from Congo at an early age. With a commitment to pushing boundaries, she continues to revolutionize the industry. Invested in the intersection of technology and fashion, Mvuemba is constantly looking to innovate in the space.
“The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes Collection is the perfect place to bring my colorful fabrics and sophisticated silhouettes to life,” said Anifa Mvuemba. “My brand represents women without limits, and it’s so inspiring to work with Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall on this partnership as she has broken barriers in the bourbon industry.”
Throughout 2024, Woodford Reserve will continue collaborating with Hudson and Mvuemba, including at Hudson’s fall 2024 fashion show. Moreover, this collaboration marks the beginning of an ongoing journey between Woodford Reserve and the visionary designers. Other fashion collaborations to expand the Flavor Notes Collection will be announced in the coming years.
