Designer Michael Kors Holds First Live Fashion Show Since Pandemic

Designer Michael Kors waves after presenting his collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, US, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
Designer Michael Kors waves after presenting his collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, US, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
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Designer Michael Kors Holds First Live Fashion Show Since Pandemic

Designer Michael Kors waves after presenting his collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, US, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
Designer Michael Kors waves after presenting his collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, US, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

Designer Michael Kors took over New York City's landmark Tavern on the Green in Central Park on Friday, his first live runway show since the pandemic began.

Although COVID-19 protocols restricted his guest list, Kors said it gave those in attendance an intimate experience.

"To be able to put on a live show to me is thrilling. I love people to be able to experience live fashion," said Kors, Reuters reported.

The brand required all guests to be double vaccinated, while staff, crews and press were given on-site testing before being admitted into the venue.

"Lots and lots of checking boxes and being so unbelievably strict with the protocols," he said.

Actress Kate Hudson, who is a friend of Kors, was thrilled to be at her first show in many months. "I'm so excited. And it's nice and small, intimate, which I think is going to be really lovely. But I haven't done this for a long time so it feels a little odd and wonderful all at the same time."

This season Kors decided to look at romance through a streamlined and urban lens. The New York native said his inspiration was not just romantic love, but love of friends, family, city, seeing people and more.

He said he created a collection that will help celebrate those moments that we've all been craving.

Models including Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner paraded through an outdoor garden, while Broadway star Ariana DeBose performed live.

Kors said the collection was filled with charm.

"Lots of black and white in the collection," the designer explained.

"A lot of gingham, which just puts a smile on my face, I'm not a picnic kind of guy, but I can have the fantasy. A lot of white embroidery, a lot of white laces and eyelet and things like that."

New York Fashion Week will end on Sept. 12.



Italian Fashion House Valentino Suffers 22% Profit Drop in 2024

A picture shows bags in the shop window of Italian fashion house Valentino at Piazza di Spagna in central Rome, on November 11, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
A picture shows bags in the shop window of Italian fashion house Valentino at Piazza di Spagna in central Rome, on November 11, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
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Italian Fashion House Valentino Suffers 22% Profit Drop in 2024

A picture shows bags in the shop window of Italian fashion house Valentino at Piazza di Spagna in central Rome, on November 11, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
A picture shows bags in the shop window of Italian fashion house Valentino at Piazza di Spagna in central Rome, on November 11, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Italian fashion house Valentino's operating profit dropped 22% last year, the company said on Friday, as the luxury sector faced a slowdown in global demand for high-end goods, particularly in Asia.
European luxury groups have been counting on wealthy Americans to kick-start growth as the outlook for China remained bleak. But after President Donald Trump's tariff policy, the sector is bracing for what could be its longest slump in years, Reuters said.
Valentino said one-off costs also drove its operating profit down to 246 million euros ($280 million) in 2024, as it continued investing in directly-managed stores.
Revenue fell 2% at constant exchange rates to 1.31 million euros, despite good sales in Japan, the Middle East and the Americas, the Rome-based company said.
It said online sales rose 5% compared to the previous year, in line with the group's aim to strengthen its e-commerce business.
"Our work has taken a decisive step with the arrival of Alessandro Michele as our new Creative Director," Chief Executive Jacopo Venturini said in a statement.
Valentino hired the former Gucci designer in March last year following the exit of creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, who had been in the position for 25 years.
In 2023, Gucci owner Kering bought a 30% stake in Valentino with an option to buy the whole of the company's share capital by 2028.