Michael Kors: Urban resort hits the streets

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Sep 15, 2022

The reigning champion of American sportswear, Michael Kors, opened the final day of shows in New York Fashion Week on Wednesday, and the key message after witnessing this swish and stylish collection is that his title is under no threat.

Sportswear for next spring with a large quotient of glamour. This is Kors after all, whose key idea was a series of perfectly cut sculptural dresses in clever combinations of jersey, sequins, cashmere and mesh.

A collection composed in a brave color palette, centered on the two surprise colours of the New York season - sinful red and yellow gold.

But, above all, one admired a group of the cut-out evening dresses that to veterans in the audience recalled Told Ford’s holed dresses for Gucci back in the 1995. Back then, many had noted that Ford had referenced Halston’s earlier ideas. 

Those with a good memory will also recall that in that Gucci show in Milan, Tom chose Killing Me Softly as a soundtrack. Kors today even included the same tune in his soundtrack, albeit played on classical Spanish guitar.

Kors, Ford and Halston reads like a great triumvirate, and to his credit, Michael gave the idea his own special spin, slashing the outfits with bravura and adding sporty elements - like mountaineer shackles - and extended fringes.

Barely a print in sight, as Kors concentrated on fluid shapes and empowering tailoring like the opening look, a sleekly cut blazer with matching cutaway skirt - jaunty, stylish and cool.

“Urban resort,” commented Kors, who greeted a regiment of fans post-show for photo ops attired in his signature black blazer, sunglasses and tan.

“To me is the best of both worlds, it’s the luxury and sleek elegance of city life with the laid-back glamour you find in the best resorts,” said Kors, whose front row included Anne Hathaway, Serena Williams, Vanessa Hudgens, Suki Waterhouse, Emilia Jones, Matilde Gioli, Lori Harvey, Christie Brinkley and La La Anthony. 

His cast marching around an urban jungle inside a raw show space that featured mirrored walls, palms and scores of large shrubs. Granting a sense of a fashionable getaway.

Styled with blouses unbuttoned to the top of the skirt; and every second dress slashed up practically to the hip, for what Michael called “a wardrobe that celebrates the body and works in every destination around the world.” 

All worn on a stellar cast of Bella Hadid, Mica Argañaraz, Adut Akech and Rianne Van Rompaey, along with veterans Carmen Kass and Mariacarla Boscono. The models completing their walks outside onto 10th Avenue in front of 25 students from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Michael’s alma mater. Even as Kors’ international audience watched the show on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as on WeChat, Weibo, LINE and Kakao.

“A city street is the ultimate runway,” concluded fashion’s billionaire designer.