Anti-fur protesters crash Kors event

NEW YORK: Anti-fur protesters stormed the stage that Michael Kors was on here on Wednesday, briefly disrupting a ticketed event at which the US fashion mogul discussed his career, dressing Melania Trump and shutting stores.

“Michael Kors has blood on his hands,” chanted the more than dozen protesters, who marched through a darkened auditorium at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shortly before security ushered Kors out.

An audio recording of an animal squealing, seemingly in pain, signalled the start of the four-minute protest about 13 minutes into the conversation with Kors, which was being streamed on Facebook.

“Animal fur is not in fashion, animal fur is not compassion,” chanted the protesters, at least two of whom jumped on stage.

“Shame on all of you for supporting this industry,” yelled one man as the stunned audience sat looking bemused.

“Stay in your seats. We’re going to try and resolve this,” came the announcement over the loudspeaker, greeted by cheers and applause.

Once the protest was over, Kors was treated to a standing ovation after returning to the stage with former CNN journalist Alina Cho, who was conducting the interview.

Kors started his label in 1981 and has dressed Hollywood actresses, music superstars and first ladies, including Melania Trump, who wore a tailored Michael Kors dress to greet Panama’s president and first lady on Monday.

While some prominent designers have refused to dress her in opposition to her husband’s politics, Kors said the Slovenian-born former model had attended his runway shows in the past.

“I don’t think it’s a political thing. She’s been a client for so long,” he said.

“She looks great,” he said simply as a picture of Trump flashed up on the screen. AFP