Bridget Foley's Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working [PHOTOS]

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD

Like millions of other people, Michael Kors went into strict COVID-19 quarantine in March. He and a limited number of staffers returned to the office in mid-June, the better to deal with hands-on issues of design. Kors’ mask of choice: Scalamandre zebras, the same print that once graced the walls of the now-closed Gino’s restaurant, near Bloomingdale’s. Throughout the pandemic, Kors has maintained his long-running trunk-show schedule, only now, via Zoom. He conducted a Neiman Marcus event in front of a wall of portraits he’s collected over the years.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD

The designer at work. “[When] we were able to see a prototype, it was cause for celebration,” he said.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD

In a Zoom trunk show with Neiman Marcus clients, Kors recalled that, when in Dallas for his first trunk show for the store in 1982, he took a side trip to see the exhibit of Richard Avedon photos of the American West. Nearly four decades later, that region inspired KorsÕ pre-fall 2020 collection, and he modeled his look-book set to reference the photographerÕs work.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD

Michael Kors mused on the allure of fringe: ÒRight now, anything that gives you joy and feels fun.ÉYou want to put something on that lifts your spirits.Ó He used fringe to snazz up a practical coat for fall 2020.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Masato Onoda/WWD

For pre-fall 2020, Michael Kors used a pony print in numerous ways, including for this casual take on an evening gown. ÒWe are going to have parties again,Ó he said.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

Michael Kors told clients that his fall 2020 collection Òis very much about the whole idea of a cozy luxuryÉ[with] that cozy, relaxed feeling [of the country] but with the polish of an urban setting.Ó
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

ÒEverybody looks good in red,Ó Kors advised his clients when discussing this look from fall 2020.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

For fall 2020, Kors sought to deliver a protective feeling, even though he had no idea of the COVID-19 crisis to come. He told clients they should feel as if ÒyouÕre wrapped up in the chicest security blanket in the world.Ó On the runway, Kaia Gerber wore a variation on a poncho designed 24 years ago. Though KaiaÕs mother, Cindy Crawford, walked that show, Naomi Campbell wore the original poncho.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

ÒCozy can be sexy but still provocative,Ó Kors mused. He made the case with this blanket-plaid pattern on a sexy, fluid dress.
Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

“We need love, and we need to cancel out the hate,” Kors told clients at his company trunk show in May. He noted that this sweater has “a wonderful message.” And in lightweight cashmere, “it’s a perfect year-round piece.”

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working

Bridget Foley’s Diary: Michael Kors, Masked and Working