Michael Kors has made a grand return to Rodeo Drive with the opening of a new 1,500-square-foot collection store on April 18. Located at 242 N. Rodeo Drive, the store marks the brand’s first North American location to showcase its updated conceptual design for its collection boutiques.
Upon entering the two-floor store, customers are welcomed by a wide glass door that leads to the street level. This level features walnut shelving, antique brass, gold Calacatta marble, and oxidized maple, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The latest collection of shoes and handbags is showcased opposite a large video wall, drawing the eye to the brand’s latest offerings.
Descending to the lower level, visitors enter a minimalistic study decorated in a neutral color palette of gray, white, and black. Mannequins are styled in exquisite pieces from the brand’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, including the black chantilly lace bodysuit ($890) and matching skirt ($2,690), topped with the double crepe sablé boyfriend blazer ($2,290) and the suntan chantilly lace slip gown ($3,890). The curated selection highlights the brand’s commitment to timeless elegance and effortless glamour.
Michael Kors, the visionary behind the brand, expressed his enthusiasm about the store’s return to Beverly Hills. “With this new concept, that has a warm, residential feel, the space is both refined and luxurious and becomes a place where you want to spend some time and experience that thrill of discovery you can only get when you’re in a brick-and-mortar store,” he said.
The return to Rodeo Drive holds special significance for Kors, whose family moved to Beverly Hills in the 1970s. He recognizes the iconic status of the location, saying, “When you are talking about glamour, luxury, and sophistication, you automatically think Beverly Hills, and at the very center of that is Rodeo Drive.”
The store’s opening comes amid news of Capri Holdings Ltd., Michael Kors’ parent company, facing a block in its merger with Tapestry Inc., which owns Coach, Stuart Weitzman, and Kate Spade brands. Despite this setback, Kors remains optimistic about the future of his brand.
Michael Kors has a long history of attracting celebrity clientele, and the opening of the new Rodeo Drive store has been no exception. Pregnant model Grace Elizabeth recently starred in the brand’s limited-edition Mother’s Day capsule collection campaign, showcasing silver and crystal detailing on the signature three-inch Tessa Mule ($175).
The SS24 collection, which is prominently featured in the new boutique, mimics the color palette of the store with its mix of brown, black, white, and gold metallic tones. Kors describes the collection as inspired by the feeling of a wonderful holiday vacation, evoking romance, joy, and effortless glamour.
“I love all of the fresh crisp white that has this warm-weather glamour. And then the pieces with gold hardware, it’s like we built the jewelry right into your clothes which is perfect when you’re traveling,” Kors said.
Michael Kors has also been spotted on the red carpet, with actress Lea Michele wearing a red crepe jersey dress with a gold halter-neckpiece from the Spring 2023 ready-to-wear collection at the 2024 Hope Rising Benefit. Keke Palmer opted for a monochromatic lilac suit and matching blouse from the Michael Kors Collection at a For Your Consideration event for “Nope” on April 15. Blake Lively made a statement in a Michael Kors Collection black leather dress in December at BFF Taylor Swift’s birthday celebration.
To celebrate the opening of the new store, VIP friends of the brand will be invited to a private event during the first week of June. The event will feature dinner and a special live performance, marking the grand return of Michael Kors to Los Angeles’ designer fashion mecca.
“I’m very excited to be back on one of my favorite streets in the world in one of my favorite cities in the world,” Kors said, expressing his delight at the brand’s resurgence on Rodeo Drive.
