Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

He's a survivor: Michael Kors prepares for the end of the world with chic battle-ready collection

NEW YORK — When the apocalypse comes, I want to be around Michael Kors. Because when the end of the world is approaching, you want to look super chic and Kors has everything for the occasion.

Even though things are going really well for the designer — his company reported record profits on Tuesday — Kors is in survival mode.

Surviving Superstorm Sandy last fall apparently got Kors thinking about survival — in a chic way — just as he was planning the collection in a city that was half cast in darkness.

His fall 2013 collection, unveiled at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Wednesday, features mink stoles, jackets and trousers in camouflage patterns of white, black and blue. Coats come in traffic-stopping colors of taxicab yellow, safety orange and stoplight red. Perforated skirts and pullovers of rubberized fabric are meant for urban animals.

And what to wear to outrun the zombies? Why, a pair of bright yellow track pants with black leather tuxedo stripe, of course.

Instead of full-on evening gowns, the collection features short peplum skirts in shades of neon orange and royal blue with long trains. So what, if they look a little Atlantic City casino-cocktail waitressy? They make a statement.

Surviving Superstorm Sandy last fall apparently got Kors thinking about survival — in a chic way — just as he was planning the collection in a city that was half cast in darkness. According to his program notes, the result is a collection in which "urban athleticism meets uptown polish...an attitude basked on speed, endurance and glamour."

The only real glitter came from a crystal peplum gown with train that model-of-the-moment Karlie Kloss wore to close the show, yet the collection has a lot of flash. And since it has Kors' name on it, fabrics are luxe. Just the name "cashgora" — a fabric that combines cashmere and angora — sounds rich.

At the end of the show, when Kors took his victory lap past a celebrity row that included Jada Pinkett Smith and daughter Willow Smith, Michael Douglas, Zoe Saldana and Hilary Swank, his walk practically became a jog.

He's clearly a man in a hurry — and it doesn't look like he's going to slow down anytime soon — apocalypse or not.

Michaek Kors oive white camo mink stole, black merino pullover and black cashgora zip skirt

Michael Kors, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, February 2013

Photo courtesy of Michael Kors

Michaek Kors oive white camo mink stole, black merino pullover and black cashgora zip skirt

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RODEO RUNWAY

Western glam takes over as RodeoHouston fans dress to impress

Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Brooke Jones, Kiala Cardenas, Brittany Ruggeri, and Franschesca Jones.

Houstonians have dusted off their boots and rhinestones as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is in full swing. Already one of the largest events in Texas, the crowds are continuing to grow. In 2025, more than 2.7 million people attended RodeoHouston, and this year the event is already on track for record-breaking numbers.

Livestock competitions, carnival rides, deep-fried food, and headlining concerts are the official reasons people come to the rodeo. Unofficially, however, people watching has become a sport all its own. The crowded walkways on RodeoHouston grounds transform into a Western-themed runway, where personal style is just as much of the experience as enjoying deep-fried Oreos or a Ferris wheel ride.

A wide range of outfits is always on display. Some attendees go all in with head-to-toe sequins, fringe on everything, and dramatically decorated hats. Others keep things casual with denim, boots, and graphic t-shirts, while groups of friends will often coordinate themed outfits for concert nights.

Rodeo Fashoin 2026 Emily Duran and Brylie Wagner.Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

No matter the style, there are two must-have accessories: cowboy hats and boots. Hats serve a dual purpose for both fashion and protection from the sun during daytime events. Boots are essential to rodeo style, but sometimes come with a painful learning curve.

Many attendees walk more than a mile from the parking lot to the grounds, and after exploring, they often add more than 20,000 steps. For those who did not properly break in their boots, the end of the day can involve blisters and a slow walk to the car, boots in hand.

“Rodeo fashion is so fun. My friends and I planned out outfits together, and we made sure we broke in our boots before tonight,” Teresa Delgado tells CultureMap. “When you are from Houston, you only make that mistake once.”

Rodeo Fashion 2026 Karson Graves, Reese, Lowery, Mackenzie Lewis, Natalie Doyle, Brandi Hunger, and Jenna Faulkner.Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Some days have them whether it's official or it's an unspoken trend. When Megan Moroney took the stage, pink was the color of the concert, inspired by Moroney's album Cloud 9. Nearly 70,000 attendees filled the stadium in everything from flouncy pink ruffled outfits to bright neon boots and hats.

“We have really been looking forward to this concert,” said Ashley Little from Cypress. “I didn't think too much about my outfit at first, but my daughter wanted to coordinate, so here we are wearing pink together.”

Between carnival rides, mutton busting, and nightly concerts, the rodeo has plenty to see, but some of the most memorable moments are stopping to notice that fashion is just another part of the show.

Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Brooke Jones, Kiala Cardenas, Brittany Ruggeri, and Franschesca Jones.

houston rodeo fashion western style