Michael Kors hosts epic event to celebrate opening of Shanghai store

While many brands are moaning and groaning about the slowdown of sales in China, Michael Kors is flying high - literally. Last week, the designer landed in Shanghai to host an event of epic proportions at Hongqiao Airport, aptly titled the "Jet Set Experience".

And jet set it was - held in a private hanger to celebrate the opening of his Kerry Centre flagship store in the city. Guests were immediately greeted by a parked private jet emblazoned with the designer's name (fun fact: it belonged to the CEO, John Idol). The journey continued as 1,000-plus attendees were transported to glamorous locales like Capri and St Moritz via hi-tech projections and videos that played on large screens surrounding the room.

Later, models including Miranda Kerr walked down a supersized runway in chic pieces from a one-off, exclusive Jet Set collection inspired by Kors' signatures: think elegant cashmere turtleneck sweaters and dresses, body-hugging skirts, show-stopping gowns and lush furs. Adding to the glam factor were a long list of local and international celebrities including Hilary Swank, Camille Belle, Freida Pinto and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Indeed, no one embodies the jet set life better than Kors. When we meet in a luxurious suite at The Peninsula the morning before the show, the permanently tanned designer is in his usual uniform of a black T-shirt, jacket, jeans and a pair of understated but luxe crocodile loafers. He is only in the city for 48 hours before flying off to Milan and then Capri for a holiday.

He reveals that it's his first visit to China, which is surprising considering that he has 29 stores on the mainland in cities as far flung as Nanjing, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Fuzhou and Guangzhou. The brand plans to open 20 more stores in greater China this year.

"If we talk about jet set, look at China… talk about living a fast life. It's constantly changing, even beyond first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing. The idea of a life in motion is natural to the Chinese. As travellers they are full of curiosity; they soak up new things constantly. That kind of curiosity and excitement about what's next makes me run as a designer - and at a high speed," he says.