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It’s been over a year since tourists and native New Yorkers alike flocked to Times Square to experience the exciting rush of a Broadway show. In March of 2020, theatres closed their doors and suspended performances for the foreseeable future. Today, they remain shuttered, with no formal plan to reopen just yet (Mayor Bill de Blasio has his sights set on September 2021). Among those yearning for an extraordinary night of theatre is American fashion designer Michael Kors. To celebrate his iconic brand’s 40th anniversary and the unveiling of his Fall-Winter 2021 collection, he transformed Manhattan’s Broadway district into a stage to support and celebrate New York City theatre.
Kors has been a theatre aficionado since the humble age of five, so he’s well in tune with the glitz, glamour, and excitement of a Broadway show’s opening night. He sought to channel that feeling into his FW21 collection runway show with a film shot in New York’s Theatre District, specifically at Sardi’s, The Shubert Theatre, and the Booth Theatre. Kors describes the film as his “fantasy night out” on the town. “I want everyone to have this fabulous night out where you have an amazing dinner and drinks at Sardi’s, with theatre history oozing out of the walls,” he tells Women’s Wear Daily. “Then you hit the street, strut your stuff, and show off. And you get to go into a temple of live performance and see Rufus Wainwright performing.”
The latter details exactly what’s depicted in the collection film, unveiled Tuesday, April 20. Supermodels Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Precious Lee, and Ashley Graham are among those who strutted down the streets of Times Square, donning the designer’s upcoming wares. The FW21 collection is comprised of ensembles fit for the front row, featuring both new silhouettes and those inspired by the designer’s archives. There are head-to-toe monochrome looks (our favourite of which is a fire-engine red ensemble) and elegant neutrals bound to capture every New Yorker’s heart. Sequin gowns, trench coats, and cut-out midi dresses also own the catwalk, born to make a statement, no matter your plans.
Per WWD, the designer and his company are making donations to the Actors Fund, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping the entertainment community. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly 100,000 jobs associated with Broadway. “It was important to support people behind the scenes because they don’t have an exact date back,” Kors tells the outlet. “So many people have had to leave town, to move home. We’ve seen that all around the world in every large city. Hopefully, we can keep the talent because I think we will have a resurgence of young people wanting to bring back theatre and art and music and fashion.”
Press “play” on the video below to watch the Michael Kors FW21 collection film, set to new renditions of Wainwright’s “City Lights,” “New York State of Mind,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
