Michael Kors Celebrates 45 Years of Glamour

The iconic American designer showcases his signature blend of high and low fashion at a special anniversary show at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Michael Kors celebrated 45 years of his iconic American fashion label with a grand runway show at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The collection featured Kors' signature mix of opulent, show-stopping pieces like feathered gowns and sequined looks alongside more streamlined, everyday styles like tailored trousers and button-down shirts. The designer said he wanted to capture the "yin and yang" of fashion that has defined his career, connecting "show-stopping drama and opulence with something that felt totally streamlined, timeless, modern."

Why it matters

As one of the most recognizable American fashion brands, Michael Kors' 45-year anniversary show at the iconic Metropolitan Opera House highlights the designer's enduring influence on American style. Kors has helped define New York fashion over the decades, championing a blend of high and low that has resonated with a loyal clientele of socialites, working women, and everyone in between.

The details

Kors' fall 2026 collection featured a range of looks that embodied his signature aesthetic - from dramatic feathered skirts and sequined gowns to more pared-back pieces like tailored trousers and button-down shirts. The runway show took place throughout the entire lobby of the Met Opera, with guests seated on benches winding through the upstairs and downstairs levels. The setting, surrounded by Chagall paintings and Sputnik chandeliers, provided a suitably glamorous backdrop for Kors' theatrical presentation.

  • The Michael Kors fall 2026 runway show took place on the evening of February 13, 2026.

The players

Michael Kors

An iconic American fashion designer who is celebrating the 45th anniversary of his eponymous label.

Rachel Zoe

A celebrity stylist and fashion designer who was seated in the front row of the Michael Kors anniversary show.

Mary J. Blige

A Grammy-winning R&B singer who attended the Michael Kors anniversary show.

Gabrielle Union

An actress who was present at the Michael Kors anniversary runway presentation.

Dakota Fanning

An actress who was seated in the audience for the Michael Kors 45th anniversary show.

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What they’re saying

“Fashion is theater, but at the same time, I'm a realist. I'm a pragmatist, but I like a potato chip with caviar.”

— Michael Kors, Fashion Designer

“I wanted to really connect the show-stopping drama and opulence with something that felt totally streamlined, timeless, modern. That yin and yang has been at the root of my career since day one.”

— Michael Kors, Fashion Designer

“The rules have disappeared. You can be 75 and wear a short skirt. You can wear flip-flops in the city. You can wear boots in the summer. You can wear jeans with paillettes. That, to me, is the greatest thing that has happened for me as a designer—to see people feeling more comfortable in expressing how they want to look and making their own rules.”

— Michael Kors, Fashion Designer

The takeaway

Michael Kors' 45-year anniversary show at the Metropolitan Opera House underscores the designer's lasting impact on American fashion. By blending high-glamour and everyday style, Kors has championed a uniquely New York aesthetic that has resonated with a diverse clientele for decades, proving that fashion can be both theatrical and pragmatic.