While Michael Kors is often found surrounded by models, actresses, and entertainers, his greatest muse is, and always has been, the city of New York. Moments after taking his post-show victory lap around The Metropolitan Opera House’s Grand Staircase—soundtracked by Odyssey’s Native New Yorker, of course—he booted across the street to raise a glass to his hometown at beloved Midtown watering hole, P.J. Clarkes.
The designer was joined by a crowd including Gabrielle Union-Wade, Nicole Scherzinger, Dakota Fanning, and Martha Stewart, who’d all dutifully received their checkered wristbands to match the Irish pub’s famed tablecloths. Settling in to cozy surroundings and digging into lobster rolls, fashion editors reminisced on days when NYFW was headquartered at Lincoln Center—and a mid-day burger and cocktail at P.J. Clarkes was an essential way to pass the time.
The room was heaving, with front row stars including Kelsea Ballerini, Rachel Zegler, Rachel Zoe, and Ava Phillippe making their way through the throngs to congratulate Kors on his 45th anniversary show as flashbulbs flickered everywhere. “45 years in and I still feel like a kid,” he said, gleefully.
All his favorite faces were in situ. Suki Waterhouse vaped at the bar. Leslie Bibb hung out at a table of models, who had come straight from the runway to eat fries and drink Moscow mules. Vogue’s contributing fashion editor Carlos Nazario—once again enlisted to style the show—was beaming with happiness as people patted him on the back.
Just past 7 p.m., Rufus Wainwright appeared in a grey suit and took to the piano, launching into verses of The Art Teacher. After calling out that his ensemble was a Michael Kors original, the singer dedicated his rendition of Adele’s Make You Feel My Love to the music-loving designer and his husband Lance LePere.
For the cherry on top of his mini set, Wainwright had a fitting track in mind: “Michael, I’m a big opera fan so I felt seduced by your show tonight, and you certainly seduced the city,” he said. As the first notes of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind reverberated around the room, everyone let out a collective and heartfelt sigh.
“What could be better than a martini, a cheeseburger, The Met, and Rufus Wainwright! This is the greatest city in the world,” Kors said—a choice swear word included for emphasis. “I couldn’t be happier and prouder to be a New Yorker. Where else would you see girls in stilettos and bare legs braving the snow?!”
After watching Kors blow out the candles—literally, as a surprise cake had emerged—guests eventually headed off for one reason or another. Later on, in a private dining room downstairs, the whole Kors team—from publicists to pattern cutters—took a load off and spent the night enjoying a well-earned family-style meal. Foil wrapped ‘45’ balloons in the background, and all.
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