Remember places? Specifically, remember New York City? The illustrious town went noticeably quiet during the onset of the pandemic, but with vaccinations on the rise and its former residents returning on their pilgrimage back from the states they inhabited during quarantine, the city is waking up. In a place known for its pessimism, Michael Kors is a true optimist. And with his brand's 40th birthday, there was more than a little to celebrate.
“For my 40th anniversary collection, I was really thinking about the joy in getting dressed up and stepping out for a night on the town,” Kors states in the show notes. “This collection is all about making every moment a special occasion and feeling confident, glamorous, and upbeat." The clothes reflect that. Michael Kors Collection has always been known as an idealized form of American sportswear, so pulling from his own archives, Kors commemorated his own history. Top models saunter down 45th street brimming in nostalgia, wearing smart separates, bold animal prints, and glamourous gowns, an ode to the city that created them.
Broadway is the collection's backdrop, and Rufus Wainwright croons a medley of New York show tunes as its score. Bella Hadid walks to his rendition of Liza Minnelli's "City Lights" in fire engine red, "New York State of Mind" plays as Ashley Graham appears in sequins. Naomi Campbell closes the show and enters Shubert Theatre, joining the cast to watch Wainwright's live performance. Following the runway, the designer presented a short film by Erich Bergen, featuring celebrities and Broadway's finest, including Billy Porter, Bette Midler, Debra Messing, and Renée Elise Goldsberry gathered together at the legendary theater district restaurant Sardi’s. Kors calls the showcase his "fantasy night out."
To support the arts, Michael Kors, both the company and the person, donated to The Actors Fund, a national organization that provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals.
"There’s a sense of timelessness and big-city optimism that has been a linchpin of Michael Kors since the very beginning," Kors continues. It's "a yin-and-yang balance between opulence and simplicity, something that’s laid-back and at the same time luxurious.”
All the looks from Michael Kors Collection fall 2021
