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Staying in America, there is no way you can escape the charm of the fashion that Michael Kors sells – right from their chic handbags to that little black dress with a slight twist to the elegant wristwatch. Fast Company magazine even declared it one of 50 most innovative companies in 2014. And as soon as I landed here, I made it a point that my wardrobe must contain a large slice of Mr Kors’ vision!
As the brand grows in India, I can only be happy for the easy access everyone can get to Michael Kors. “Mumbai is the perfect place for glamour. The cosmopolitan energy is great, plus it’s the home of Bollywood!” said Mr Kors in his usual amiable way. And so, adding to their list, Michael Kors recently opened a store in Mumbai, bringing the total count to three with New Delhi and Bangalore being the other two. For an international luxury brand to open three stores in India within a year is quite a feat!
The 1,502-square-foot store, located at Palladium, carries a mix of accessories from MICHAEL Michael Kors, as well as watches, jewelry, footwear and eyewear. The store also carries a selection of the brand’s fragrances. The store design is a reflection of the brand’s fashion with zebra-print furniture, sleek metal fixtures and mirrored surfaces. Large-scale vintage photographs cover the walls, evoking jet set glamour and timeless sophistication.
What probably pleases everyone about Michael Kors is its ability to blend in any society or culture. Whether you are among the high street fashion of Manhattan, the more sophisticated ensembles of London or the bling couture of India during weddings, Michael Kors has something for everyone. With the price points making it accessible luxury, why wouldn’t we swoon over it? “They [the Michael Kors man and woman] are global jet setters constantly on the go. They live a fast life and they need clothes and accessories that can keep up with them, and that can work anywhere from New York to Paris to Shanghai,” Mr Kors said.
The designer agrees to that fact that most of the time his inspiration is creating fashion for people who are leading a glamourous, albeit fast paced lifestyle. From a meeting in London to reaching little known islands for a holiday and so on, fashion needs to become utilitarian for all purposes. He explains it better in his words: “Many of our customers do have that type of lifestyle. For others, that idea of escapism and the ability to jet around the world is something everyone can dream about. Fashion is all about escapism, after all. Our clothes and our stores aim to give people that feeling, to allow them to be part of that world, while offering clothes and accessories that are wearable and functional for real life.”
Fashion and trends evolve, but the core philosophy of a brand should remain same according to Mr Kors. He remembers Anna Wintour of Vogue US stating in one of his first reviews that Micheal Kors made chic, glamourous sportswear. “And that still holds true today,” he says. “I think the key to being a good designer is staying consistent so that your customer trusts you, while always evolving and staying up to date. The silhouettes and the shapes and the colors and the materials may change, but your vision shouldn’t.”
With social media and online portals becoming the preferred media of choice for most individuals, style has also become global. What a woman wears in Japan is as much in demand in Spain or Dubai. And that can only be counted as a blessing when it comes to the fashion business. “When I started out “international” meant being carried by Holt Renfrew in Canada. Now, we have more than 400 stores and we sell the same products and see the same trends around the world. It’s amazing,” says Mr Kors. Not to say that that occasional customized product doesn’t please us. But then, mingling and becoming a global citizen ahs become as much important. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Isn’t it so?
If you are visiting the Michael Kors store now, get happy to see a boho chic collection with slouchy sweaters, full skirts, massive furs, houndstooth pattern tapered pants from Michael Michael Kors, and more. Inspired by the relaxed atmosphere of coastal California, this collection is as warm and snug as can be.
