By 9:50am Michael Kors was a mob-scene! Kors’ publicists attempted to keep the clutter to a minimum, but how can you with Jessica Alba, Anjelica Huston, Katie Couric, and Debra Messing in the front row?
“Can you make sure we get this specific shot of the seating?” The Observer begged publicist Savannah Engel…
“Excuse me! You’re in my seat—that’s my seat!” hissed a malnourished editor in row 2, to one ill-fated guest.
Good morning fashion frenzy!
“Rugged elegance…cozy textures… gutsy knits and fur…” read the run-of-show.
“What the hell does ‘Gusty knits’ mean?” questioned a befuddled Billy Morrissette.
“Not a clue,” we chuckled equally perplexed from our seat.
Then typical debate arose: who would be The Observer’s prey today. A sturdy defense force protected any significant or juicy utterance from our movie star options. Editors are far too judicious with their comments… We trekked back down to the runway to seek out someone.
“I hope it’s better than that African Safari show,” one late arrival whispered as she plowed through our path.
“Hey now! Those Mario Testino ad spreads rocked,” we yelled defensively.
Abandoning our mission, with all the fuss, we marched back…
“How far are you in your pregnancy? It’s beautiful!” The Observer overheard Rachael Zoe hum to some statuesque mother-to-be…
What a relief to make it back to section A-5—with the delectable SCENE creative director, Cricket Burns, to chew the fat with! (Naturally, there was in fact very little fat in the Lincoln Center tents that day.)
Why does Rachael Zoe bring her husband to shows?” Ms. Burns said with a justifiable eye roll.
She gets what she wants these days,” we replied all too knowingly.
“Ha Brad Goreski has a better seat,” laughed Ms. Burns.
By the time look 15 came out on Kasia—an Ivory Mongolian lamb vest, paired with an Alpaca hand-knit pullover and black/ivory tartan bias skit—we saw Ms. Zoe spasm with enough joy to give us a seizure. For safety reasons, we turned our focus back to runway, although “I die!” moments were still audible…
On the other hand, the stylist’s delight was understandable. Michael Kors’s signature take on luxurious American could not have been more brilliant. Wool/cashmere tartans, herringbone and buffalo checks came in crimson, ash, camel and black; Model Daria Strokous wore an oversized knitted Coyote cocoon coat over her ensemble to stomp down the rustic, wooden runway.
And who can forget that stellar glossy black glove leather trench with black fox vest? A black Alpaca, Teddy Bear duffle coat with toggles, catered to the intrepid man. Kors’s sheer Chantilly lace dress with a sleeveless black Melton pea coat—pure bliss! For evening, just add a touch of shine to that slouchy silhouette, with a magnificent crystal beaded jersey gown. Get a load of that Ms. Messing! Your name all over it!
“Sublime, sublime, sublime!” raved Ken Downing, fashion director at Neiman Marcus, backstage. “We always love when Michael does red, because it’s so signature to him. Tons of great fur… and I like the idea of fur being modern as a cover up! It’s not that piece that you keep in your closet that you bring out for a gala; it’s something that you can wear every day. Super glamorous, super chic! And as you know, Michael loves a glamorous woman… Amazing dresses! Michael’s dresses are just a go to for every woman…”
Who do you envision wearing them?
“My customer—every one of my customers— has a Michael Kors dress! It’s insane!”
“You live in Texas still? Or American Airlines? Something like that?”
“You’ve read my quotes! I live on American Airlines. But I pay my taxes in Texas! I pay a couple of taxes in Texas… I have a weekend house on a lake as well.”
Are you going there after? Can we come?
“I am going home literally for twelve hours… rearranging my wardrobe and flying to London!
“…I should be a spokesman for American Airlines!”
Images: Patrick McMullan and GETTY.
