When Michael Kors Saved the Day

Penny Davis

(Editor's Note: Miami-resident Penny Davis spent decades on Broadway and in show business as a wardrobe supervisor. You'll find her story here. With Michael Kors in the headlines this week, Penny gave us a favorite story about Mr. Kors.)

"So, in 2005 I was doing Sweeney Todd with Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris.  Michael wore one costume throughout the show. The assistant designer had bought one pair (!!!!!) of black corduroy Michael Kors jeans at Daffy's (a discount store in NYC).  With something like that I like to have more than one pair. I went to several Daffy's around the city and in NJ and could only find one more pair and (in typical actor fashion) Michael did not like them as much as his original pair and refused to wear them unless he absolutely had to.  Ok, I thought, at least I have a back up.
 
"Sure enough Michael blew out the knees of the pants and I was forced to mend and patch them.  I knew I couldn't do this for very long.  Daffy's was a close-out store....where items went to die ...so I knew they had no more.  I decided to go to the source and see if the MK company could tell me where I might purchase these jeans.  Coincidentally, I found out that MK had gotten house seats to see the show, so I asked our press person if they could give me the number of a contact in the organization.  She got the number of MK's personal assistant, Cynthia.

"Working up my nerve, I called her, expecting to be given the brush-off.  Instead, she couldn't have been nicer.  When I explained my problem and gave her the item and model numbers.  She asked  where I purchased them.  I told her 'Daffy's' she was amused and astounded that her boss's pants ended up there.  She said let me get back to me.

"She called me the following day.  Those jeans were four seasons old and she couldn't get any more of them.  However, she told MK about it and he (HIMSELF!) offered to have some made for the show.  How many did I need?  Well, I was bowled over, so I ordered more than I knew I would need just to be polite.  A dozen pair, I said.  Ok, said Cynthia.  Er uh, how much will it be, I queried?  She said it would be at their cost.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, says I!
 
"At the end of that week, MK came to see the show.  Cynthia called me the next day and said he was so impressed with the show and how good his jeans looked, he was putting them back into production! (By the way, he owned a beautiful Maybach that was parked in front of the theatre.....one of the most gorgeous cars I've ever seen). 
 
"A few weeks later the jeans arrived and when the bill came for the jeans, it was 000.00.  I don't own anything by MK but I wish I liked his stuff more cause I'd give him tons of business just for being so nice.  Many fashion designers aren't. 
 
"So whenever I hear the name, Michael Kors, I get a big smile on my face." -- Penny Davis.

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