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.



Boohoo Pushes Ahead with Debenhams Rebrand despite Frasers’ Opposition

Debenhams logo is seen on smartphone in front of a displayed Boohoo logo in this illustration taken January 25, 2021. (Reuters)
Debenhams logo is seen on smartphone in front of a displayed Boohoo logo in this illustration taken January 25, 2021. (Reuters)
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Boohoo Pushes Ahead with Debenhams Rebrand despite Frasers’ Opposition

Debenhams logo is seen on smartphone in front of a displayed Boohoo logo in this illustration taken January 25, 2021. (Reuters)
Debenhams logo is seen on smartphone in front of a displayed Boohoo logo in this illustration taken January 25, 2021. (Reuters)

British online fashion retailer Boohoo said on Friday it would rebrand as Debenhams Group even though opposition from top shareholder Frasers meant the name change for its holding company did not get shareholder approval.

At a general meeting, 62.04% of votes cast supported the official name change, falling short of the required 66% of votes, the company said.

"This general meeting was only related to the technical name change of the ultimate holding company," the company told Reuters in an email.

"While this will now remain the same, the company is absolutely moving forward as Debenhams Group."

Boohoo had announced its rebranding earlier this month.

Frasers, which owns just over 29% of Boohoo shares based on LSEG data, voted against the resolution.

Frasers, majority-owned by British retail tycoon Mike Ashley, in January unsuccessfully tried to oust Boohoo's co-founder from the board, and the companies have been involved in a long-running corporate tussle.

Boohoo, boosted by an online shopping surge during the coronavirus pandemic, has been facing supply chain issues, weak demand and stiff competition from e-commerce firms such as Shein and Temu.

The company has said it sees the Debenhams brand having the potential to achieve multi-billion pound gross merchandise value in the medium term.

In March, Boohoo appointed Phil Ellis, Debenhams' finance director, as its CFO, following the appointment of Dan Finley as the group's CEO late last year.