Fashion Week: Donald Trump Storms Back to Michael Kors, Anna Sui Channels Prohibition

By Stacey Anderson Thu., Sep. 16 2010 at 7:00 AM

Categories: Fashion, Fashion Week, Stacey Anderson

All photos by Stacey Anderson

Donald Trump took a break from his burgeoning mosque empire to drop by Michael Kors's presentation on Wednesday -- and though his old limelight nemesis Anna Wintour was also in attendance, the runway was free of bloodshed. Trump did bray about God-knows-what in close proximity, but still, it seems that rivalry died at Bryant Park, and what a pity -- after the jubilation of Betsey Johnson and the poise of Prabal Gurung, Lincoln Center needed some histronics to sustain our bliss. Kors's collection needed them, too.

Kors, fresh off carrying Jessica Simpson's Malti-daschund at the Project Runway finale, makes no bones about being a sportswear designer for mature women with decadent tastes; after all, you'd be hard-pressed to find 76-ply cashmere at Milk Studios this season. His collections never veer far from monochromatics, simple draping, and indulgent textiles; last season's sable shift dress and bronze Lurex sweaterdresses were extravagant yet still conservative.

Bill Cunningham shoots the runway

For his spring line, he began with a similar palette; tan leather trenches played off sandy, sheer turtlenecks before segueing into a grass-green crinkle-textured sheath dress, then a matching cropped bandeau sweater with billowing vest and leather belted, high-leg briefs. (The latter did not seem plausible for any fathomable social occasion in this life or the next.) Bright boat-neck gowns with high slits stood out for their fuchsia and lemon hues but not for cut. Kors is, by most accounts, a likeable man, so good for him for putting clothes on the poor backs of the upper crust elite; call us when he remembers the '90s and uses a great print.