NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Michael Kors channeled classic '70s style for his latest collection, drawing inspiration from powerful women of the era like Tina Turner, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem and even his mother.
Steinem sat front row Wednesday during Kors鈥 show, which featured models sporting a variety of classic New York looks from the decade, including overcoats and thick leather belts and bell sleeves and dramatic bell bottom trousers, oversized sunglasses, suede boots and fringe.
鈥淭hey never gave up on looking fabulous,鈥 the designer said of his mother and Steinem. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 timeless.鈥
The show was packed with elite guests: actors Mindy Kaling, Katie Holmes, Kate Hudson sat front row, as did New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.
鈥淲est Side Story鈥 star Rachel Zegler said the show鈥檚 appeal was obvious because 鈥渘obody dresses women like Michael Kors.鈥
Keeping with his love of New York city style, Kors relied on neutral colors while still incorporating his signature black and adding brown tones.
Fringe was woven throughout the pieces onto scarfs, clutches and mini dresses. Kors also drew inspiration from Greenwich Village and what the designer called its 鈥渂lend of the urban and bohemian."
鈥淭here is this polish that is a very big city but then definitely a warmth and earthiness,鈥 he said.
Kors鈥 looks weren鈥檛 just on the runway. Actor and dancer Maddie Ziegler wore a Kors suit 鈥 one of several stars wearing Kors pieces 鈥 and said the designer had a knack for designing a power suit tailor-made for women.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so sexy when a woman wears a suit,鈥 she said.
This collection, Kors took a twist with the women鈥檚 blazer by adding slits to the sides of each arm, giving the jacket sleeves more movement.
Kors didn鈥檛 shy away from adding sparkle despite the neutral tones throughout the collection. He balanced a sparkly silver bell bottom jumpsuit with a grey overcoat that hung off the shoulders.
The designer closed the show with an eye-catching shimmering black cape that actor Molly Ringwald adored. Ringwald said she appreciated how Kors鈥 clothes could be worn by any body type.
鈥淚 really feel like it鈥檚 really classic American in the best way,鈥 she said of his collection.
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Associated Press journalist Brooke Lefferts contributed to this report.
