IN TREND: From handbags to ready-to-wear apparel, Michael Kors is the designer of choice for many women across the world, including a handful of A-list celebrities, who wear his designs on the red carpet or carry his handbags on days off. In Shanghai last month, Hilary Swank appeared in a crimson lace dress from Transeason 2014 at the spectacular Jet Set Experience while Angelina Jolie wore a sleek black dress from Spring Summer 2014 for her Maleficent photo call at the Bund. Also, the Miranda tote from last Spring is the new must-have this season, writes Cheong Phin
Simplicity, luxury and comfort are rooted in every collection designed by American designer Michael Kors since starting out in 1981 with his namesake label.
Over the years, he has consistently maintained his signature style of combining the classic components of American sportswear with elegance, luxury, sexiness and jet-set glamour that translate into easy-to-wear pieces and accessories that evoke a sophisticated appeal for all occasions.
“Comfort and flexibility are what matter most to a woman today, no matter who she is or how much she can afford to spend on her wardrobe” the designer once said in an interview.
Of late, no one demonstrates this attribute and versatility in Kors designs more poignantly than A-list actress Angelina Jolie in a selection from his Spring Summer 2014 collection.
The 39-year-old United Nations Special Envoy went from a sexy classic black dress with sheer sleeves at her latest movie Maleficent photo call held at The Bund, Shanghai, China, to a demure white blazer-and-skirt suit for her speech on the first day of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London last week and a chic ensemble of white bow-blouse and pleated grey palazzo pants on the second day.
A similar sensibility is also evident in the way Kors designs his bags, churning out some of the most coveted ones that are not only casually elegant and functional but an accessible luxury too.
The structured Hamilton and Selma are bestsellers in the Michael Kors Collection Handbags and get updated every season with new materials. Joining this family of seasonal staples is the super chic Miranda tote from Spring 2013 that speaks of sporty elegance and sophisticated simplicity stemming from Kors trademark style.
Several A-list celebrities, such as Heidi Klum, Zoe Saldana, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Swank and Halle Berry, have already been spotted carrying this lightweight design as a practical everyday bag.
The Miranda tote is a functional, roomy bag that has expandable sides and zip compartments within for essentials like the mobile, tablet or documents.
It comes in French calfskin that boasts a bonded construction with suede to provide a gentle structured shape for an uptown polished look.
It is luxuriously soft and the top-handled tote stands out from the rest in the market by employing an unconventional closure of overlapping flaps on the top that can be fastened with long leather ties with bevelled metal tip ends.
Available in vertical and horizontal versions, the Miranda tote for Spring 2014 is updated in a neutral palette of ivory and beige as well as lime green python skin.
For the upcoming Fall 2014 collection, the tote comes in luxurious ostrich skin plus a smaller youthful version with across-the-body strap in mushroom hue.