Woodford Reserve Taps Designers Known For Dressing Beyoncé, Michelle Obama For Fashion Collection to Debut at Kentucky Derby
Woodford Reserve tapped designers Anifa Mvuemba (right) and Sergio Hudson (left) for a fashion collaboration set to launch at the Kentucky Derby. (Photo: Woodford Reserve)
On Monday, Woodford Reserve announced a partnership with two fashion designers, Sergio Hudson and Anifa Mvuemba, to design clothing for The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes Collection, which is inspired by the whiskey brand. This partnership was announced during New York Fashion Week and is set to debut during The Kentucky Derby.
Both designers will attend The Kentucky Derby along with their “muses” and will wear pieces from their respective collections.
“Woodford Reserve brings substance and style to everything we do,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said in a news release. “These fashion statements from Sergio and Anifa are an extension of the bourbon lifestyle in a luxurious way.”
Hudson and Mvuemba have designed for powerful and famous women ranging from Michelle Obama to Beyoncé.
Hudson founded The Sergio Hudson Brand, which is a popular fashion brand for celebrities. He focuses on color and silhouette in his pieces, and according to the release aims to bring inclusivity into the industry.
“Just like Woodford Reserve, every garment I create requires meticulous attention to detail,” Hudson explained. “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 a self-taught designer who founded a luxury womenswear label, Hanifa. According to the news release, her mission is to push the boundaries of fashion and revolutionize the industry.
“The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes collection is the perfect place to bring my colorful fabrics and sophisticated silhouettes to life,” Mvuemba stated. “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.”
The 150th Kentucky Derby is set to take place May 4. In April, Woodford Reserve announced its Mint Julep charity initiative, where the bourbon brand sold limited-release charity cups. In 2023, the cups were made from silver and gold by a Louisville jeweler and sold for $1,000 and $3,500 apiece. The proceeds went to ensure the story of Secretariat was told for years to come.
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