With Justin Timberlake promising to "bring sexy back" on the soundtrack, Michael Kors turned out a collection that was one long riff on a dancer's body-loving wardrobe. His palette was nude, black, and tutu pink, with flashes of metallics, and his materials—which he layered on his models as if they were ballerinas on their way to the studio—ran from fine stretch wools to jazzy matte jerseys to chunkier knits. With all the leggings and crimped updos and even an off-the-shoulder Flashdance sweater or two, Kors was having a real eighties moment. It was fun while it lasted, but somehow out of step with his usual polished sense of chic. After several days of tent and trapeze looks, the waist came into sharp focus here. Kors cinched wide patent and python belts atop everything from maillots to evening dresses. Sequins, meanwhile, provided a Bob Fosse touch. Was it a coincidence that Chicago star Usher was in the audience? Or that across from him was one of the musical's alums, Bebe Neuwirth—in fishnets, no less? The collection's retro-sexy, look-at-me glitz should play big with the designer's new and huge Project Runway fan base. Still, you wanted a few more of the Kors-luxe knits, great tailored jackets, and sleek evening numbers he's best known for.
