{"id":105002,"date":"2025-09-18T12:59:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=105002"},"modified":"2025-09-18T13:42:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T13:42:47","slug":"kelsey-merritt-michael-kors-ss26-nyfw","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/kelsey-merritt-michael-kors-ss26-nyfw\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAZIA Exclusive: GRAZIA Goes Front Row with Kelsey Merritt at Michael Kors\u2019 SS26 NYFW Show"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kelsey
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Few designers capture the essence of New York quite like Michael Kors. Each season, his shows become love letters to the city \u2014 celebrations of timeless glamour and effortless confidence with a modern twist. This New York Fashion Week, Kors presented his Michael Kors Collection Spring\/Summer 2026 collection<\/a> at the Terminal Warehouse, and the atmosphere was nothing short of cinematic.<\/p>\n

As a dramatic violin score filled the space, models swept down a minimalist runway framed by clean, open staging. The stripped-back set allowed the collection to shine: crisp tailoring, fluid drapery, and earthy neutrals that blended Manhattan sophistication with a touch of Mediterranean romance.<\/p>\n

Front row, model Kelsey Merritt<\/a> was taking it all in \u2014 taking GRAZIA USA <\/em>with her for\u00a0an exclusive look inside her day with Michael Kors.<\/p>\n

A Cinematic Kors Moment<\/h2>\n
\"Michael
Mica Arganaraz on the runway at the Michael Kors fashion show as part of Spring\/Summer 2026 New York Fashion Week held at the Terminal Warehouse on September 11, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores\/WWD via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Merritt, who has graced international runways and campaigns for Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, admits that Michael Kors shows always feel special. \u201cIt was such a beautiful show! Michael Kors always nails that balance of effortless glamour with a modern-day twist. There\u2019s always such amazing energy walking into his shows, and I love seeing how he brings those timeless silhouettes into today\u2019s world,\u201d she tells us.<\/p>\n

For SS26, it wasn\u2019t just the clothes that caught her attention but the mood of the presentation itself. \u201cThis show felt so cinematic with the strong violin score giving it this dramatic yet warm atmosphere that fit perfectly with the collection and the Terminal Warehouse venue. I also loved the clean, open set design; it felt so chic and really let the clothes take center stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kors Woman, SS26<\/h2>\n
\"Michael
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway in Look 28 during the Michael Kors Collection Spring\/Summer 2026 Runway Show at Terminal Warehouse on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim\/Getty Images for Michael Kors)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The collection itself reflected Kors\u2019 enduring vision: clothing that feels powerful without being overstated. \u201cIt all felt so powerful yet still feminine, which is exactly how I love to dress. It gave a Manhattan meets Morocco vibe, with gorgeous drapey-over-sleek silhouettes,\u201d Merritt observed.<\/p>\n

Neutral tones dominated the palette, with blacks, whites, and earthy browns layered in sleek, wearable combinations. \u201cI could honestly see myself wearing so many of the looks straight off the runway,\u201d she adds. Among them, Look 28 stood out. \u201cThe use of textures for the accessories added edge to the luxe and wearable look. I love doing this with my own style so that it doesn\u2019t feel like following trends, but keeps it interesting and inspired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kelsey
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What resonated most with Merritt was Kors\u2019 ability to evolve the familiar. \u201cMichael has such a gift for making classic silhouettes feel fresh and modern. He\u2019s always captured this idea of jet-set glamour<\/a> that resonates with me \u2014 confident, cool, but never overdone. His shows always feel like a tribute to the vibe of New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dressing the Part<\/h2>\n
\"Kelsey
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Kelsey Merritt attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring\/Summer 2026 Runway Show at Terminal Warehouse on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris\/Getty Images for Michael Kors)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For her own front-row look, Merritt turned to stylist Georgina Downe. The goal, she explains to GRAZIA<\/em>, was to strike the balance between personal style and Kors\u2019 DNA. The result was summer suiting with a twist: masculine-inspired tailoring softened with feminine fabrics and seasonal textures. \u201cWe wanted something that felt true to my personal style but also very Michael Kors \u2014 chic, polished, and wearable. This MK look did just that, balancing masculine shapes with feminine materials, soft\/summery textures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kelsey
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her beauty look tied everything together. Makeup artist Georgi Sandev and hairstylist Stefano Grecco crafted a polished but natural glam, accented by a soft, bouncy blowout. \u201cWe wanted to feel like the New York City woman MK often embodies,\u201d Merritt says. \u201cIt tells a story of the woman on the go, always chic and put together, without trying too hard. Natural glam and a soft\/bouncy blowout \u2014 ready to take on anything in her day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kelsey
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When asked to sum up her outfit in three words, Merritt didn\u2019t hesitate: \u201cTailored, timeless, and elevated. Summer suiting is always in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond the Runway<\/h2>\n
\"Michael
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, fashion week isn\u2019t only about what happens on the catwalk. For Merritt, the best moments often come in between. \u201cCatching up with friends on the front row and seeing everyone\u2019s reactions to the collection in real time \u2014 those candid moments are always my favorite,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n

That sense of community has defined her fashion week experiences. Since first rising to prominence as the first Filipino model to walk in the Victoria\u2019s Secret Fashion Show in 2018, Merritt has used her platform to represent both inclusivity and global style.<\/p>\n

A Whirlwind With Kors<\/h2>\n
\"Kelsey
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Merritt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the end of the week, Merritt described her NYFW as \u201ca whirlwind!!\u201d \u2014 but one she wouldn\u2019t trade. \u201cIt was great to spend my New York Fashion Week with Michael Kors<\/a>!\u201d she exclaims.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42686,"featured_media":105003,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[17,16],"yoast_head":"\nKelsey Merritt at Michael Kors SS26 NYFW Show<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"GRAZIA goes front row with Kelsey Merritt at Michael Kors\u2019 SS26 show in New York, where timeless glamour met modern jet-set style.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/kelsey-merritt-michael-kors-ss26-nyfw\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"GRAZIA Exclusive: GRAZIA Goes 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