Parallels ran clear that sunny, New York City day when the Michael Kors fashion show took place. What was evoked on that runway in dreamlike fashion saw its reflection in a dream made true in my life. Fashion Week 2020 will forever mark a milestone in my life and career.

The pre-show that took place right as we were making our way inside was a scene in itself. The outfits fashionistas choose to wear to a show is not made at random. The likes of Dove Cameron, Lila Drew and Blake Lively all came dressed in that Annie-Hall inspired menswear that Michael Kors does so well. This particular collection MK showed feels as though it were inspired by that very silhouette.

Androgyny has seen its fair share of the spotlight in fashion over the decades. But what androgyny supposes is a sort of indeterminate gender that takes form in shapeless silhouettes, gender-neutral palettes and other gender-free markers.

What the Michael Kors collection offered with this collection was a reinvention of that concept seen in a more contemporary interpretation of gender fluidity. Men and women models took to the runway in identical outfits to show that how we understand female and male fashion is more than a reflection of how we understand gender, it’s a condition of it. By thoughtfully twinning the styles, MK made a statement way bigger than he could’ve anticipated.

Michael Kors is known for that laid back town-and-country feel. It’s a thread that runs thematic to each season. The equestrian inflections felt in this collection saw its manifestation in more than just the runway, but in the setting itself. Tree-lined aisles, raw wood planks and wooden benches; the entire environment brought in moments of easier times.

Evoking that dreamlike feel, the silhouettes and overall inspiration for the collection saw getaways and cozy details. Although Michael Kors has us covered for a fast-life style, the blanket capes, power suits and woolen fabrics brought in elements of comfort and simplicity. To push that concept further, it’s of note that not a single stiletto hit that runway – not without reason, I’m sure.

Easy-to-wear fashion, Michael Kors brought in crisp button downs, pinstripes and gingham, plaid and other patriotic patterns. It was a wholesome collection with underpinnings of romance, dreams, and fantasy. The optimism was felt throughout the crowd as well as seamlessly throughout each clean-cut outfit that brushed wind past a smiling crowd.

The energy in the room was contagious – and I’ll venture to say that the sort of buoyancy that was felt comes from a top-down positive spirit that comes from the MK culture. Michael Kors Canada is run by powerhouse Debra Margles since 2004, and I can tell you first-hand that even though she is clearly a force to be reckoned with, she has a gentle and kind smile that permeates throughout and everyone around her can feel it. Empowered and empowering, she is a mentor to many entrepreneurs in our city and she does it all with grace and humility.

Attending a fashion show for an iconic brand as huge as Michael Kors is a massive deal and this particular show was not to be missed. Amongst other Montrealers like Fashion Stylist Cary Tauben and Thérèse and Julia Brownstein from Browns Shoes, we were a select few to show our faces at the crowd-filled, celeb-crawling event.

Ever since the flagship store opened in Montreal in November of 2019, I’ve been privy to the high-end, exclusive collection that they’ve got on display on the 3rd floor of the mega-store. It’s so wonderful to be able purchase all of the incredible looks you seen stomp down a catwalk right here in our hometown!

Michael Kors Fashion Show on my bucket list for probably about 20 years. I was on a high all day as I floated about that room, taking in every moment.

Photography by Patricia Brochu