E! Online·United States·Monday, September 14, 2026 at 02:15 PM

Michael Kors Predicts the Fashion Trend That Will Take Over Emmys 2026

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Sabba Rahbar

Michael Kors wants to put an end to the reign of the princess look.

In fact, the storied fashion designer predicts a new trend will emerge on the red carpet at the 2026 Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 that will allow the stars to have more fun with their fashion choices.

“People wearing things that are a little bit more experimental,” Kors exclusively told E! News' Keltie Knight at his Spring Summer 2027 show at New York Fashion Week on Sept. 11. “Break the rules. Wear a pair of pants. Wear something short. Do something different.”

“This whole concept of old Hollywood glamour?” the 67-year-old said. “Well, it's old.”

And of course, any unorthodox design should also take into account how the outfit will move on the red carpet and—most importantly—how comfortable it will feel.

“If there's some sense of comfort, you're going to have a better time,” Kors explained. “And when you're on the red carpet, you want to feel as confident as possible.”

As for trends the celebrated designer hopes the public will embrace this season? Bringing out a pop of animal print.

“I, of course, wear black every day,” he noted, “but the perfect punctuation point definitely is something in an animal print. It could be a fabulous leopard handbag, a leopard coat."

“If you're in neutral clothes every day and if in the winter you're fearful of wearing too much color—something in an animal print,” Kors added, “it pops.”

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Since launching his fashion line in 1981, the Project Runway judge has found himself working in every aspect of the fashion industry, building a brand and even a TV persona that is known throughout the world. Still, there is one dream he has yet to fulfill.

“I would love to do the entire travel experience,” he confessed. “I would love to design the plane, design the hotel, work on the restaurant, do the whole shebang. Travel is always such an inspiration for me.”

“So who knows?” he mused. “Michael Kors Airways could happen.”

For all the stars taking flight at New York Fashion Week 2026, keep reading.

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