Kamala Harris Puts American Fashion in Focus at Phoenix Awards Night

At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., Kamala Harris delivered her message through both words and wardrobe. On September 27 she appeared in a sequined oxblood gown by Sergio Hudson, reinforcing her support for American designers and, in particular, Black talent.

Harris is often recognized for her tailored pantsuits, which became a trademark of her political image. For one of the evening’s central honors, the CBC Body Award, she chose something different. The gown was off the shoulder, long-sleeved, and finished with a fitted waist and floor-length hem, balancing formality with intention.

Photo: Vogue

Choosing Hudson was a calculated decision. The South Carolina–born designer has been part of Harris’s style story before, most notably at her 2021 inauguration. By wearing his work again, she underscored a consistent commitment to spotlighting designers whose contributions have shaped American fashion but are too often overlooked.

Harris took a deliberate approach to the look. “Sergio Hudson’s designs, a reflection of his vision and artistry, embody confidence, dignity, and pride,” she told Vogue. Her team, hairstylist Dayna Rose and makeup artist Marquia James, kept the styling streamlined so the gown could stand at the center.

The appearance was about more than fashion. It offered a glimpse into how she wants to present herself: professional yet connected to the cultural communities she has consistently supported. For Harris, clothing now doubles as a reflection of the values she carries into public life.

Photo: Vogue

This is not the first time Harris has made such a move at the Phoenix Awards. Last year she wore a sequined gown by LaQuan Smith, another Black American designer. Taken together, these choices show a shift from her usual pantsuits toward occasional headline-making evening wear, each time designed by figures who represent key voices in contemporary American fashion.

The significance is less about whether Harris keeps experimenting with gowns or returns to her established wardrobe of suits. It is about how she continues to use fashion as a form of affirmation, a way to acknowledge and elevate the work of designers shaping the industry today.