There is love in the air for Michael Kors. The American luxury ready-to-wear and accessories label is celebrating the romantic Chinese legend Qixi with special edition MICHAEL Michael Kors Whitney handbags made in partnership with actress and brand ambassador Yang Mi.
The Whitney handbags for Qixi, which launched on August 1, feature heart and star-shaped silver hardware on red bright red and black leather construction. Mi selected the bag colors as a nod to her personality and style, and Michael Kors produced the hardware to reference Qixi, the nearly 2,000-year-old legend that is comparable to Valentine’s Day.
The legend tells a tale of forbidden lovers, who were forced to live on the opposite ends of the Silver River, but once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to help the lovers reunite.
“I’m very excited to have designed these special bags for Qixi,” said Mi. “Studs are always a part of my style, so I knew I wanted to use them in these designs. The heart shapes were perfect for symbolizing love this Qixi, while the star shapes were all about adding a little personality and attitude.”
To support the launch of the handbags, Michael Kors unveiled a pop up concept shop in Shanghai.The pop up opened on August 1, prior to the global release of the special edition Whitney bags, and will remain open through August 19 before moving setting up shop in Chengdu from August 25 through September 2.
In addition, the label launched a new campaign for the bags inspired by the story of Qixi. Chinese photographer Chen Man shot Yang Mi for the global campaign that features the actress in front of the Shanghai skyline at dusk and a sunset sky.
The MICHAEL Michael Kors special edition Whitney handbags for Qixi is available now worldwide, including through a WeChat Mini application in China.
Photographer | Chen Man
Talent | Yang Mi
Location | Shanghai