Michael Kors pre-fall catalog has sporty rugged sensibility

Whether American designer Michael Kors is trying to set a trend this season or just plainly promoting cowboy looks, his collection does seem great and chic. I believe Kors is trying to suggest ladies to be more daring and different for the coming season; and surprise everyone with an unpredictable look – with much the same glamour and femininity.

Michael Kors

Pre-Fall 2012 RTW Collection

Ann Bonfoey Taylor, a skiwear designer-slash-Colorado aristocrat and the subject of a recent exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum, was Michael Kors‘ muse for pre-fall. “Nan Kempner on the range,” he called her, meaning the lady liked her clothes. The sporty, slightly rugged sensibility of her personal collection rubbed off on his: knee-length walking shorts met a dip-dyed Mongolian lamb vest, and a tissue-thin knit tank was worn with a low-slung taffeta ball skirt belted at the hips. For accessories, he showed harness bags and polished cowboy boots.

Kors said pre-fall means three things to his business: “seasonless clothes; it’s the power woman’s favorite season; and it’s Hollywood’s evening season because runway dresses are too obvious.” In the first category: a draped stretch wool sheath in a black and white plaid. In the second: a three-piece pinstriped pantsuit the vest of which stretched down to the model’s knees. And in the third: a black silk button-down tucked into a washed faille short-in-front/long-in-back skirt and a stretchy turquoise tank dress with that same sassy, asymmetric hemline.

The three editors in chief at his small presentation — power women all — oohed and aahed the whole way through, but the group saved their real appreciation for the designer’s outerwear. Kors has looked west for inspiration before, but he’s a city boy at heart, meaning he knows the power of a smart coat. We counted at least three: a Mongolian lamb chubby color-blocked in black and white, a red riding coat with a grand fox collar, and an ivory zip-front coat with a built-in leather harness belt so you don’t lose it at coat check. See what we mean about smart? –style.com + photos