New York Fashion Week: Michael Kors’ ‘sunshine state of mind’

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Dig out your Jesus sandals and hacky sacks, fashion is in the throes of a back-to-nature moment. And Michael Kors has given it a name -- ‘Naturaluxe.’

Tapping into the zeitgeist, his collection is about getting away from the clutter, unplugging from the Internet and taking a walk in the garden or on the beach.

But Kors didn’t just reference nature in color and print; he also took a step toward preserving it, by incorporating hemp, a sustainable fabric.

These were clothes for relaxing, or for ‘a sunshine state of mind,’ as Kors puts it. ‘The biggest luxury right now is a night at home and a clear schedule.’

So he started with a clean slate of neutral basics, including a white linen gauze pullover and sarong, and an elongated hemp linen sleeveless jacket, worn with hemp Bermuda shorts. Easy, uncomplicated -- the kind of clothes that could take you on a weekend escape with just a carry-on.

Then came color and texture, none of it too fussy. A smocked ‘shrub print’ bathing suit with the look of fresh-cut grass, and a daffodil yellow popover dress would put a smile on even the most stressed-out person’s face. But the most perfect look of the whole show was a ‘shrub print’ shredded taffeta skirt, worn with a crisp white button-down shirt, cinched with a brown leather belt. The essence of spring.

Even the evening clothes had the ease of lounge wear--a zinnia pink jersey sarong, worn with a matching tank top; a pair of hemp crystal beaded pajama pants topped by a heather gray cashmere cotton sweatshirt. (Is there anything more decadent than a cashmere sweatshirt?)

And who knew there was such a thing as hemp lace? Kors made a tank dress out of the stuff, which has the most marvelous nubby texture.

Maybe it’s because technology is so slick that there’s a certain appeal to something that’s looks a little rough around the edges.

-- Booth Moore in New York

Michael Kors spring - summer 2011 collection runway photos