Simone Smith, Sergio Hudson Showcase Carved Mother-of-Pearl and Freshwater Pearls at NYFW

A 28-piece Simone Smith jewelry capsule walked Sergio Hudson’s runway inside the New York Public Library, pairing masterful tailoring with carved mother-of-pearl, onyx inlays, and cultured freshwater pearls set in 18K yellow gold over sterling silver. The collection was presented at Hudson’s New York Fashion Week show on Feb. 13 and framed as part of a moment tied to Black History Month and Hudson’s milestone runway programming.

Materials and finishing were consistent across the capsule: simulated diamonds ornament many pieces, while select styles feature carved mother-of-pearl or onyx inlays and cultured freshwater pearls. One anchor piece, the Promise necklace, is specified as 18K yellow gold over sterling silver set with 5.5 carats of simulated diamonds and is priced at $5,000; the heart-shape Patience pendant, offered in onyx or mother-of-pearl, is listed at $800. Those price points and the 5.5 ct. specification are reported by JCK’s Karen Dybis, which provides the most detailed pricing information for the launch.

The collection’s vocabulary is geometric and symbolic, drawing directly from Adinkra motifs of the Akan people of Ghana. The pieces map meanings to form: hearts that speak to patience and tolerance, a wisdom knot for ingenuity and intelligence, and a star to signify faith and belief in a supreme being. Simone Smith framed the intent succinctly in conversation with JCK’s Karen Dybis: “This collection reflects where I am right now—bold, rooted in faith, and intentional about legacy.” She added that the symbols were chosen for spiritual resonance, naming “God’s protection, patience, God’s child, abundance, and greatness” as guiding themes.

Simone’s material choices were similarly explicit. In JCK she explained, “I chose onyx because Black is beautiful. Black paired with gold feels sexy, clean, and undeniably classy,” and of mother-of-pearl she said, “A pearl is formed through pressure—that’s resilience, grace, and power.” Those statements anchor the collection’s narrative of empowerment and resilience; Lauren E. Williams captured the same ethos in her coverage, quoting Simone: “I want Black women to feel seen. Powerful. Covered. Chosen.”

The collaboration was presented as a natural stylistic match. Simone praised Sergio’s structural sense and tailoring, while Sergio told Theknockturnal, “Just seeing it all come together, I’m really focusing in on each look and making it a moment. I want each look to speak to something.” He added with levity about their creative signatures, “I’m known for suits, she’s known for hoops.” Photographs of the Adinkra symbol necklaces were credited in coverage to ELEVVVVVATED.

On the runway the jewelry did more than accessorize; it punctuated silhouette and story. Coverage noted that the pieces balanced boldness and refinement, allowing Hudson’s coats, tailoring, and color to remain central while giving the accessories distinct, symbolic presence. Priced from $800 to $5,000 and grounded in specific materials and meanings, the Simone Smith x Sergio Hudson capsule presents itself as jewelry that intends to be worn as declaration as well as ornament.