NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Fashion sometimes involves risk and designer Michael Kors would tell you some risks aren鈥檛 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 Kors鈥� abstract inspiration.
Kors says he鈥檚 鈥済lued鈥� to pop culture and was especially fascinated by the recent based on Patricia Highsmith鈥檚 classic novel, 鈥淭he Talented Mr. Ripley.鈥� The dark story is set in coastal Italy where a man who covets a friend鈥檚 wealthy life kills him and takes over his identity, killing anyone else who threatens his new persona.
鈥淪eeing this romantic, moody, dark story shot all in black and white, I thought it brought something very different to the romance of it,鈥� Kors told The Associated Press backstage before the show. 鈥淭here was this sort of dark side of romance that鈥檚 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.鈥�
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 Ripley鈥檚 1950鈥檚 hybrid style of city and resortwear.
鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of texture, black raffia, white embroideries. Everything is very tactile,鈥� Kors explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 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, there鈥檚 going to be blue.鈥�
The brand鈥檚 craftsmanship was on display with intricate peekaboo lace dresses and skirts and several dresses, skirts and coats adorned with flower applique鈥�. 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 鈥� 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 season鈥檚 shows brought guests and media to all corners of the city and surroundings, showing off its beauty and designers鈥� creativity 鈥� from a horse ranch in the tony , to a giant to an old Domino sugar factory in Brooklyn for Tory Burch.
The show鈥檚 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 can鈥檛 come every time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 super important for me to not be at those shows. I want her to have the moment,鈥� the actor and reality star said. 鈥淪o when I get to 鈥� I have to be quite 鈥榤indful and demure鈥� because I cannot embarrass anyone!鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 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. 鈥淚 always feel so beautiful in his clothes.鈥�
Suki Waterhouse was wearing a pink lace Kors dress and matching fluffy coat. 鈥淭he straw shoes with the matching bag was my absolute favorite,鈥� the actor and recording artist said after the show. 鈥淚 need to book a holiday to be able to wear those things."
Brooke Lefferts, The Associated Press
