Kamala Harris Inauguration Night All-Black Outfit by Sergio Hudson

(Image credit: Handout)

published 21 January 2021

Newly minted Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the American people at the inaugural concert, Celebrating America, on Wednesday, wearing a chic all-black ensemble designed by Sergio Hudson. The Black American designer, who also dressed Harris for her swearing-in earlier in the day, created a sequin cocktail dress and floor-length silk tuxedo overcoat for the evening, Harper's Bazaar reports (opens in new tab). She completed the look with a pair of statement earrings and Jimmy Choo "Romy" pumps.

"We kept the silhouette very structured and tailored, because that’s who the Vice President is," Hudson told Harper's. "But the liquid sequins give her glamour and shine because her influence and the way she’s broken barriers is a light for so many of us. She shines so we can all shine."

joe biden sworn in as 46th president of the united states at us capitol inauguration ceremony

Harris's speech Wednesday night echoed President Biden's calls for unity and also looked toward a brighter future—based on hard work, ambition and determination. Harris, of course, made history today as the first female, Black, and South Asian vice president of the United States.

For the afternoon's events, the VP opted for a much bolder look (opens in new tab), wearing a violet dress and coat—complete with her signature pearls. Purple was a popular and symbolic choice (opens in new tab) for several politicians, subtly signaling a return to bipartisanship and the suffragette movement.

Hudson also dressed Michelle Obama for the inauguration; the former FLOTUS wore (opens in new tab) a plum-colored jacket over matching trousers and sweater that lit the internet on fire.

As Marie Claire’s Entertainment Director, Neha oversees and executes strategy for all editorial talent bookings and culture coverage across the brand's print and digital entities, including covers, celebrity profiles and features, social takeovers, and video franchises as well as handles talent relations for MC's flagship summit, Power Trip. She's passionate about elevating diverse voices and stories, loves a hot-take, and generally hates reboots. She's worked in media for more than 10 years and her bylines about pop culture, film & tv, and fashion have appeared on Glamour, Vanity Fair, GQ, Allure, Teen Vogue, Brides, and Architectural Digest. She is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.