Glow in the Park

For many seasons, one of the highlights of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has been Michael Kors' show. Big, bold and confident, the Wednesday morning event always features beautiful clothes, big-name celebrities and a buzz that only Kors could elicit just as everyone's energy is starting to fizzle after days and days of back-to-back events.

For the most part, yesterday's show didn't disappoint, as Heidi Klum, Molly Sims and the world's top fashion editors saw a collection of trim and dependable pieces in black and gray. But alongside the understated, sophisticated pieces he's best known for, Kors included a series of coats made from shredded fox pelts in blinding shades of florescent yellow, pink and orange. Also featured were oversized fur hats in the same glow-in-the-dark shades.

With the economy where it is, real people are choosing versatile investment pieces, extra-cheap impulse buys and maybe a knockout statement piece, too. Kors' colorful fur was none of the above, and even the concept of shedding an animal's skin to make a coat is enough to make that old wool topper you're wearing seem like the height of chic. Fortunately, there were enough other eye-catchers in the show — like a finale of sparkly dresses that looked perfect for Oscar night — to offer the Kors fans that can afford his designs other, more ethical options.