Michael Kors Kicks Off NYFW With an Upper East Side Singalong Soirée

If you’re going to make a meal out of landing on the Upper East Side, why not finish it off with a nightcap at Bemelman’s? Following a cocktail reception to toast to his new Madison Avenue flagship boutique, Michael Kors kept the party going for a little longer over on East 76th Street at his favorite watering hole.

While you never know who you’ll see at the legendary spot inside The Carlyle Hotel—aside from resident piano player Earl Rose and head bartender Luis Serrano—the scenes taking place against the backdrop of those famed illustrated gold walls were even more eye-popping than usual. “It had to be here,” the designer told Vogue. “I’ve had more celebratory moments at this hotel than anywhere. I started sneaking in here when I was 17 to see Bobby Short. We had our 30th anniversary party here, and our very first store was directly across the street. It’s New York at its best!”

When it came to the guestlist, Kors, a Broadway fanatic, was sure to call up Nicole Scherzinger, who’s currently treading the boards as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, to join in the fun. “I’ve seen it three times,” he said of the play. “That’ll tell you how much I love it.”

Speaking of names whose recent performances have been abuzz in the theater world, actress Katie Holmes, who just wrapped up her run in Our Town, was greeted with open arms by Kors and Juliana Margulies as she entered the room. “Michael is so talented and his designs are incredible, but the thing that always impresses me the most is how he supports the arts, his work as a philanthropist, and how he contributes to the culture of New York,” she praised.

Holmes, fresh from a whistlestop trip to Paris during men’s fashion week, was happy to be back on home turf. In particular, she was relishing the chance to catch up with her former co-star Alan Cumming (the pair hit it off after meeting on the set of the film Rare Objects a few years back.) As word spread that Cumming was going to perform a few songs for the crowd, Holmes laughed that she’d never dared sing with her friend if given the opportunity at karaoke or a late-night party: “I know better…I could be his backup dancer, though.”

Over mini hamburgers, models from the new guard mingled with the icons—yes, that was the Iman glowing in gold, and Patti Hensen hanging out with her daughter Theodora Richards in the corner. Intent on not missing the first party of fashion week and the chance to support Kors, his runway regulars Ida Heiner and Lulu Tenney had literally come straight from the Marc Jacobs show at the New York Public Library, their hair still teased into voluminous curls. Meadow Walker, Hiandra Martinez, and Lineisy Montero, usually seen on the Kors catwalk too, were also holding court.

By 8.45 p.m., Earl Rose handed the mic over to a very comfortable-looking Alan Cumming, who was wearing a soft, dove grey knitted ensemble for his performance. With Nicole Scherzinger and Patina Miller staring adoringly at him, the Scottish star performed a medley of three songs, including a cheeky rendition of The Ladies Who Lunch—how appropriate, given the venue.

Cumming also made sure to acknowledge the good energy and kindness reverberating around the room. “The best way to deal with the lack of kindness is to be even kinder to the people who need it most in our society,” he said to rapturous applause and raised martini glasses everywhere. “To the people who are seeking asylum, and the trans community, let’s continue to be kind. Some people have not been behaving kindly...some of them are traitors,” he added wryly, referring to the popular reality game show he presides over. “But it’s possible to be incredibly successful and to still remember that there are people in need, and to use your success as a way to be kind. There are some people who do that, and one company that does that is Michael Kors. They are always using their fortune and luck to lift up others.”

Surrounded by music and love, Kors was visibly thrilled—and definitely feeling lucky, ahead of his show, which is scheduled for February 11 at 11 a.m. “You know, I never was into Angel numbers before…but it’s turned out to be a good number for me,” he said with a smile.