Micheal Kors' S/S 2009 collection may seem patriotic at first glance--gingham, red, white and blue palette, 50's style skirts--but a look at the collection by it's parts tells us that Kors got his inspiration from Parisian influence, Dior.

Here's Coco Rocha in look 16 reminiscent of Dior's "New Look" from the late 1940's, where he took conservative designs to generous silhouttes.
And here's Erin Heatherton in look 30, very similar to Dior's next collection, the H-Line in the 1950s.



I wouldn't name Kors as one of my favorite designers, but I do think he's one of the smartest. He definitely led to the American Apparel craze, which I am guilty, with his Spring 2007 dance student-inspired collection.

Now he shapes his latest collection by a couple of the most influential collections in fashion history. Bravo Mr. Kors.

Dior Photos Credit: DesignMuseum.org
Micheal Kors Photo Credit: NYMag.com