“Is Michael Kors here yet?”
Yes, he is – and, marking 40 years in business, he’s better than ever. To celebrate his four-decade career, Kors staged a Broadway spectacular, in the process delivering a jolt of American glamour – one desperately needed after this past year. And he did it to aid of his favorite art form: the theater.
“There is no greater experience in the world than taking in a Broadway show,” Kors said, kicking off the fabulous short film with a live moment from the heart of the Theater District in Times Square”.
Those lucky enough to know Michael will tell you that he is a Broadway enthusiast – through and through, always equipped with the perfect reference or line from a musical or play. Prior to the pandemic forcing Broadway to go dark, he’d regularly hit the theater, starting the night over dinner with friends at Sardi’s – famed, among others, for framed portraits of Broadway notables and other patrons – before taking his seat and the lights going down to reveal thespian magic. “Even just talking about it brings me joy,” he said.
Michael Kors Celebrates 40 Years in Business
For the occasion of the 40th, both Kors as well the Michael Kors Company made donations to The Actors Fund. Kors also made sure to literally light up Broadway again for his Fall-Winter anniversary show.
It all started with a brilliant touch at Sardi’s, where the framed portraits morphed into a life who’s who of the stage, from Chita Rivera and Judith Light to Sutton Foster, Bernadette Peters, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Matt Bomer, MJ Rodriguez, Billy Porter, and many more. A muted Bette Midler had the best moment, punching the screen to unmute as only Bette would.
The show then kicked into high gear with a top-top-top cast of models: Naomi Campbell, Shalom Harlow, Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, Karen Elson, Adut Akech, Irina Shayk, Carolyn Murphy, Saskia de Brauw, Alek Wek, Ashley Graham, Helena Christensen, Precious Lee…the list goes on. They walked past the theaters on West 45th Street, with both the Booth and Shubert ones serving as the show’s main locations.
Kors riffed on American glamour—these were beautiful clothes to paint the town red in, with the right fusion of red carpet glitz and Lisa Taylor-esque ease. Rufus Wainwright’s performance perfectly added to this New York State of Mind (and who doesn’t love a “sniff of Kosher Deli?”).
Since those early days at Lothar’s where he caught the eye of Dawn Mello, Kors has had a remarkable career, which took him from Seventh Avenue to Celine to Project Runway, as well as to every shopping mile or mall worldwide, to Wall Street, and to a billion-dollar fashion empire. He is one of America’s most successful designers – and, really, a fashion superstar, as recognizable as the celebrities he dresses. And even though he’s built a global mega-brand, he’s firmly rooted in this theater town.
“No matter how far I go,” Kors said, “I always come home to New York City.”
#Michael Kors Celebrates 40 Years in Business
#Michael Kors Celebrates 40 Years in Business
#Michael Kors Celebrates 40 Years in Business
