Stage and screen star Jelani Alladin, best known for his acclaimed performance in Showtime’s Peabody Award-winning limited series Fellow Travelers and his upcoming role on Law & Order: SVU, officially made his New York Fashion Week runway debut on September 15.

Walking in Parisian designer Valerian Hughes‘ Spring/Summer 2027 presentation, titled REGARDS CROISÉS, or “Crossed Gazes,” Alladin took to the runway at Chelsea’s AP Space Gallery. The immersive showcase brought together high fashion, contemporary art, and live performance, featuring an elite celebrity lineup curated by VIP/Celebrity PR Coordinator Mickey Freeman that included Pose star Dominique Jackson, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Brazilian television personality Patricia Poeta.

While the presentation explored unisex proportions, Hughes’ men’s and masculine-tailored collection stood out for its architectural balance of sharp Parisian tailoring and relaxed, effortless movement. Drawing on lessons from his time at Yves Saint Laurent, Hughes designed the menswear pieces around a central principle: enhancing the wearer’s natural physique without overpowering it.

Short and oversized jackets crafted from structured linen and denim delivered clean, modern lines and bold shoulder silhouettes, while pleated details and chiffon accents softened traditional menswear tailoring, allowing garments to react dynamically as the models moved.

The collection moved through a chromatic palette of tonal blues, crisp whites, vibrant oranges, and rich reds, giving the tailored suits and co-ords an expressive, contemporary feel. Alladin’s command of the runway brought a theatrical poise to Hughes’ sharp tailoring, perfectly embodying the designer’s philosophy of “universal proximity,” the silent connection and energy exchanged before a word is spoken.

Check out more images from the show below.