Earlier this week for the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 show, I knew I was at The Shed in Hudson Yards, Manhattan, but a part of me felt like I was basking in the uncomplicated beauty of an Italian island. This, thanks to The Talented Mr. Kors, was no mistake.

The longtime Creative Director of his eponymous label was inspired by his Italian travels, along with Netflix’s new series Ripley, based on The Talented Mr. Ripley book and film of the same name. The cult-favourite classic presents a portrait of a dreamy ‘50s Italian summer, but with something a little more serious at play. So naturally, Kors’ collection combined an oh so serious predominantly black and white monochrome colour palette with ‘50s-era romantic silhouettes. Plus, ‘90s-esque simple soft tailoring and a smattering of fashion’s current obsessions, like enlarged floral motifs, fun textures and holiday-approved raffia fringe, for good measure. The result was what Kors himself dubbed “rustic opulence”, with a focus on easy elegance and everyday special clothing. 

I was fortunate enough to attend the show and be outfitted by the brand in a look from last year’s SS24 collection. The dress had a slight shine all over that glistened in the light and cutouts at the waist detailed with circular metal hoops for a subtle statement that felt very on brand.

Now let’s get into it. Here, I breakdown the five key takeaways I gleaned from this incredible show that closed out NYFW.

I have to admit, I was getting a little tired of seeing black and white monochrome dressing just about everywhere from the runways and red carpet to my high-street favourites. But Michael Kors’ new collection has managed to breathe new style into fashion’s monochrome mania, and his take feels fresh and gimmick-free. The black and white florals stood out the most. From maxi flower prints on circle skirts and halterneck dresses to glistening appliquéd motifs incorporating a fun use of texture, it was a different approach on monochrome dressing and a twist on the “florals for spring” trope.  

The monochrome tailoring was impeccable. The use of colourblocking was simple but it made the black and white pairings pop. A crisp white blazer layered over a black shirt dress, plus a white trench coat and Bermuda shorts worn with a black top were amongst the looks that scored high with minimalist style points. I also loved the way Kors cleverly used a contrasting white belt and shoes to break up an all-black top and skirt combo. A simplistic and timeless approach to monochrome that’s easy to recreate. 

Soft tailoring is my personal favourite styling phenomenon of recent years. Gone are the days when you had to choose between a full suit or you’re stuck in jeans. The concept of relaxed, smart-casual tailored looks has revolutionised workwear so no wonder it’s routinely experimented with on the runway because it means big business for brands. Street style has seen slouchy jeans and wide-leg trousers become the pairing of choice for everyone’s favourite rotation of trusty blazers. 

But in recent seasons we’ve seen long skirts becoming a popular alternative. Kors masterfully took this idea and ran with it, promoting a series of midi and maxi lace and sheer pleated skirts as the pairing of choice for beautifully tailored single-breasted blazers and double-breasted waistcoats and peacoats. Plus, turtlenecks, button-up cardigans and a range of shirts for a lighter, versatile workwear aesthetic.

I can’t mention the tailoring without mentioning the belts. There’s nothing quite like a good belt to tie an outfit together, and Mr. Kors clearly concurs. From chunky ones with statement square buckles (I loved these in Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2025 collection, too) and knotted styles with an extended hanging strap finishing at the knee that added a utility-inspired touch to a whole host of looks. 

Another prominent detail throughout the line? Fringe. It’s scored big on the runways and beyond in recent seasons but Kors, always inspired to put his own spin on tried-and-tested trends, expanded on this well-established design detail. In other words, this was fringe like we’ve never seen it before. Raffia iterations of the design feature for summer are nothing new, but Kors’ ingenious use of black and camel hued raffia fringed trims on everything from sandals and bucket bags to mini skirt hems gave it a bolder, more versatile feel and re-established its appeal.

Perhaps my favourite use of fringe came in the most unexpected form. What I at first thought was a fuzzy fur jacket but on closer inspection was actually thin strands of black raffia. Kors’ ability to experiment with textures and trick the eye, expertly creating pieces that will prove a lot more lightweight and versatile than they look was not lost on us show attendees and I urge other brands to take note as preparation for SS25 dressing will roll around soon enough.

It seems so simple, but one of my key takeaways from Michael Kors SS25 is the easy elegance of a portrait neckline. On classic black belted dresses and chocolate brown ones decorated with sequins that had a patent-leather looking finish. But my favourite kind of portrait neckline on display was the one I could envision myself wearing all the time. Sitting just off the shoulders on a simple shirt, designed to have the look of being draped around you in the most elegant way. 

Also on offer were daring V-necklines on dresses that dropped almost as low as waists and romantic sweetheart variations with cutout details.

Sheer dressing is now well established and much loved. The next stop on fashion’s horizon is more ethereal – Goddess dressing. Pleated transparent fabrics cut to floaty silhouettes offer a super-light alternative to typical midi and maxi length styles. A halterneck chocolate brown option on the runway switched up the usual colour palette we’ve seen from this material in the past, presenting a sophisticated take on a whimsically romantic style. I can see this being big for summer next year as fashion looks to move the sheer naked dressing craze onwards, towards an aesthetic that’s a little more other-worldly and magical, perhaps. 

READ: HOW TO WEAR THE TREND: SHEER DRESSING

So to sum up, Michael Kors’ SS25 collection proved one of my favourites of NYFW. Kors stuck to what he does best – understated, easy elegance, with that classic fuse of New York chic and artisanal expertise that his label is known for. His ability to breathe new style into established fashion tropes to make them feel new and inspiring while being uniquely on brand was impressive. In short, I can’t wait to shop! 

More of my runway takeaways are coming soon so stay tuned.

READ MORE FASHION WEEK CONTENT:

NYFW OUTFIT DIARY 

7 TRENDS TO KNOW FROM COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK SS25

LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE 2025 REVIEW

GUCCI CRUISE 2025 REVIEW

MAX MARA CRUISE 2025 REVIEW

xoxo, Tamara