NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Kors is so over leggings and sports bras. He used Wednesday’s fall collection as a reminder that staying in and cozying up by the fire can still be chic and glamorous.
Blake Lively, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Issa Rae and Anna Wintour sat in the front row at the star-studded event held on the final day of New York Fashion Week.
The collection was all about dressing for a country getaway and unplugging from busy life with a strong equestrian feel, heavy on camels, grays and blacks with sparse hits of red and orange. Everything was draped with a cape, hood or cozy cowl neck — even a chunky tan sweater was complemented with a matching sweater tied around the neck for extra snuggles.
The ubiquitous and often naked athleisure wear is “not sexy, it’s not alluring,” Kors said during a backstage interview with The Associated Press.
“I like casual clothes. We’re American. We invented it, but now we’ve got to reel it back.”
More NYFW:– Prabal Gurung celebrates the churning creative energy of NYC– Vera Wang deconstructs evening clothes at NY Fashion Week– ScarJo's Oscar look glimmers on, at Oscar de la Renta showLively, who came dressed in a menswear inspired look in a plaid vest, wide-leg trousers and white button down, said Kors brought her to her very first fashion show nearly a decade ago when she was the new girl in town.
“I didn’t have any friends and then I get a call from Michael Kors saying, ‘do you want to be my date to some fancy fashion show’,” said Lively, who gushed about the designer’s kindness. “Sometimes we think of fashion as very standoffish, but my experience is that it’s been very warm and welcoming.”
Several young stars also attended the show, including actresses Dove Cameron and Olivia Holt and singer Kelsea Ballerini.
“I love the menswear vibes. I’m very into suits at the moment,” said Cameron, who wore a an oversized black striped suit jacket. “It’s so sexy. Everything he does is so tailored.”
Holt said it was her first time attending Kors’ show.
“I don’t spend a lot of time in the fashion world so to be able to be here and take it all in and embrace it and soak it all up is a really special experience,” she told the AP.
The fall collection showed very little skin except for a handful of evening looks, which still kept with the relaxed chic vibe paired with sweaters, turtlenecks and capes. A long, gold pleated skirt was paired with a military jacket. A thick, alpaca fringed scarf was paired with a gunmetal sequined pleated dress.
Sharp tailoring gave slouchy trousers and riding pants an urban sense. Suede, leather and shearling outerwear was paired with fluid, pleated skirts and dresses.
Festive plaids, houndstooth and warm paisley prints studded the show. Everything was paired with boots — riding, over-the-knee wellies or stacked-heel city boots.
“How do you have the coziness that you find in the country … but with polish that makes it work for a city street,” Kors said.
Explore: New York Fashion WeekRae, who changed into a pretty, spring green Kors dress with ruffled shoulders and a tie-front neck, described her first fashion week as “crazy.”
“I just changed. I’m going to change after this for the next (show),” said “The Photograph” actress, who said it’s difficult finding a place to disrobe on the go.
“I’m not gonna change in the car. I know that,” she laughed.