NEW YORK, January 7, 2008 – "I wish we could think up a different word for it than 'pre-fall,' " said Michael Kors at his showroom presentation today. " 'New stuff,' maybe, or seasonless clothes would be a better description." With that, he showed off two dozen urbane looks in ivory and black that owe a debt to the pulled-together style of the Hitchcock heroines Kim Novak and Tippi Hedren. In the city-sleek lineup were a chic, hip-length cape worn with narrow, cropped pants; a fluttery ruffle-neck blouse that topped a slim pencil skirt; and a little black cocktail number with a trim bodice and a tulip skirt blossoming below a bow at the waist. Dresses were a focal point; they came fitted in a cashmere-angora knit or flirty in a tweed-print chiffon. "Take off the tights, and it's a summer dress," said Kors. "That's the thing about these clothes—they've got to work 'now' and going forward."

– Nicole Phelps