NEW YORK (AP) ā Fashion sometimes involves risk and designer Michael Kors would tell you some risks arenāt worth taking. Last year, his September show was held outside and the weather did not cooperate, so he decided his spring/summer 2025 collection at would bring nature inside instead.
Kors and his team created a unique runway in a cavernous raw space in a midtown building, with stark metal benches lining the rectangular walls and gigantic faux black rocks scattered in the center and sides, similar to the rocky beaches of the Amalfi Coast. The drama of Italian cliffs in an urban setting was part of Korsā abstract inspiration.
Kors says heās āgluedā to pop culture and was especially fascinated by the recent based on Patricia Highsmithās classic novel, āThe Talented Mr. Ripley.ā The dark story is set in coastal Italy where a man who covets a friendās wealthy life kills him and takes over his identity, killing anyone else who threatens his new persona.
āSeeing this romantic, moody, dark story shot all in black and white, I thought it brought something very different to the romance of it,ā Kors told The Associated Press backstage before the show. āThere was this sort of dark side of romance thatās not sweet, not insipid, and mysterious. And then also, this is my 35th anniversary of working with Italian artisans and I really wanted to play up all of the incredible tailors and craftspeople in Italy.ā
The result was a show that used stark lighting and a haunting instrumental score to set the mood for a lot of black and white and muted colors with looks that evoke Ripleyās 1950ās hybrid style of city and resortwear.
āThereās lots of texture, black raffia, white embroideries. Everything is very tactile,ā Kors explained. āItās all the colors that you would find in the Mediterranean. So all of the natural colors have very soft browns and creams. And then of course, thereās going to be blue.ā
The brandās craftsmanship was on display with intricate peekaboo lace dresses and skirts and several dresses, skirts and coats adorned with flower appliqueā. Accessories stood out in the collection with leather handbags, hats and shoes teeming with black raffia that looked like leather straw. Nearly every look had a belt ā some styled loosely but extra-long and knotted to dangle, and others wide and tight at the waist. The ever-present trench coat appeared for men and women on the runway, mostly oversized and slouchy.
This seasonās shows brought guests and media to all corners of the city and surroundings, showing off its beauty and designersā creativity ā from a horse ranch in the tony , to a giant to an old Domino sugar factory in Brooklyn for Tory Burch.
The showās front row was packed with celebrities, including Kerry Washington, Mary J. Blige, Shailene Woodley, Mindy Kaling, and Lindsay Lohan.
Lisa Rinna said she was moved and excited that her daughter, Amelia Gray Hamlin, walked in the show but knows she canāt come every time. āItās super important for me to not be at those shows. I want her to have the moment,ā the actor and reality star said. āSo when I get to ā¦ I have to be quite āmindful and demureā because I cannot embarrass anyone!ā
āIām always really inspired by the simplicity, the craftsmanship. He has a real kind of a love for women that is so kind of understated, but just so consistent," Olivia Wilde said. āI always feel so beautiful in his clothes.ā
Suki Waterhouse was wearing a pink lace Kors dress and matching fluffy coat. āThe straw shoes with the matching bag was my absolute favorite,ā the actor and recording artist said after the show. āI need to book a holiday to be able to wear those things."
Brooke Lefferts, The Associated Press
