Michael Kors Shows Us Just Why There’s No Business Like Show Business In 40th Anniversary Runway

The city was illuminated out of darkness and the curtains were finally down in the New York’s theatre district to celebrate Michael Kors’ 40th anniversary in an off-schedule fashion show. Described as a Love Letter to Broadway, Kors himself communicates the inspirations behind his iconic brand through the language of timeless fashion and the magic of musical theatre. Tapping a diverse star-studded cast of talents, the show united the designer’s supermodel friends along with the infamous screen stars that inspire his designs.

Pictured in his signature black aviator shades and a smartly tailored suit, the show began at Times Square with the world leading designer expressing his gratitude and how the city shaped him as a young designer. The theatre is the strong heartbeat and relentless pulse of New York City and has always been an influence for the designer so paying tribute to Broadway and channeling the excitement for a night on the town was at the heart of his show.

The show begins at the playful, caricature filled restaurant Sardi’s, a pre-theatre hotspot that Kors himself visits before a theatre performance. The portraits were fitted with some of broadways biggest stars including Billy Porter, Alana Cummings, Judith Light and Bette Midler. The stars shed starlight onto Kors’ partnering charity The Actors Fund, which supports local performing arts enthusiasts to recover from the devastating effects of the global pandemic.

As nightlife gets the reboot it’s been waiting for and the theatres get back into the swing of things, the show begins with Shalom Harlow leading us out of the Shubert Theatre, down 45^th Street to the sound of Rufus Wainwright. Followed by famous models including Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Carolyn Murphy, Ashley Graham, Liya Kebede and Irina Shayk.

Black-tie brilliance and slick power dressing were bought to life in the streets of New York City. From structured tailoring and high neck dresses paired with oversized wool coats to sequin floor-length gowns and animal print mini dresses, the show oozes luxury glamour and timeless simplicity. The neutral colour palette of monochromatic shades punctuated with vivid reds, animal prints and plaid patterns reminds us of effortless evening glamour. The collection even extends to a range of structured trench coats, puffer jackets and oversized fur coats, perfect for the colder evenings without sacrificing a chic outfit.

Celebrating a sense of future nostalgia, the designer also paid tribute to his past archive designs by labeling sixteen of the sixty three looks with a scannable QR code that allows you to explore the brand’s history and design inspirations. The red patent leather coat worn by Bella Hadid was inspired by Cindy Crawford’s Autumn 1992 ensemble, with Alek Wek’s white belted mini dress resembling the model’s Autumn 1992 piece.

The designer’s Autumn Winter collection will be available in September but for now, we applaud Michael Kors for his legacy in timeless, modern fashion and hope for an encore soon.