Inside the Michael Kors Show With Ashtin Earle: Pre-Show Pilates, Micro Shorts, and Peak '90s Kors

"Getting anxious," Ashtin Earle deadpans when I ask if she has any pre fashion show rituals. It may sound trite, but tune in to any one of the 21-year-old's candid "get ready with me" videos and you'll instantly recognize the particular brand of bubbly yet über-relatable that has earned her 1.2 million followers on TikTok. If you count yourself among them—and, let's face it, who wouldn't want to—you'll know that feeling of watching one. It's like being on FaceTime with a close friend: unfiltered, silly, and maybe even a little random.

It may not be her first NYFW, but attending this season hits different now that Earle, a New Jersey native, is a college graduate with a bona fide New York mailing address. We caught up with the social media star as she got ready for the Michael Kors spring 2026 runway show, which marked another full-circle moment—Michael Kors was one of the first luxury handbag brands that she ever owned and the pinnacle of American fashion as far as the Earle household was concerned. But today, she's swapped the logo-stamped backpack of her middle-school era for a sleek belted blazer and micro-shorts moment that recalls the iconic Kors girls of the '90s.

What are your earliest memories of Michael Kors? Did you own anything from the brand growing up or have any item on your wish list?

I think Michael Kors was one of the first American luxury designer brands that I had heard of and owned growing up. I remember for Christmas in 7th grade I got my first-ever Kors item. It was this brown leather backpack with the MK logo all over it, and wearing it truly made me feel like the coolest girl in school.

Talk to me about your look and what inspired it. Who or what are you channeling?

I cannot express how utterly obsessed I am with this look. I really feel like I was channeling the very chic classic '90s Kors girl, but with just a tad more leg.

In what ways did this look speak to you and your personal style? Does it feel true to your everyday style or did it push you outside of your comfort zone?

An all-black look off-the-bat is my style at its very core. I also love a micro-short moment. I used to joke that I was allergic to wearing pants because of how often I’d wear micros. I also tend to include workwear aspects into a lot of my outfits, whether a trouser, blazer, or shirt. So overall, this look was made for me. Although it had all the components of my personal style, the look itself was so cool and unique. It was something I’d never seen before, which is why I was so excited to wear it!

What ­­are some of the beauty (hair, makeup, etc.) decisions you're making to complement your Michael Kors look and bring it to life?

I’m not great at making decisions for hair and makeup, but I told Sandy [Nicha] and David [von Cannon] I wanted something clean, chic, elevated, and classic. I really wanted to let the outfit shine, so we kept my hair nice and smooth behind my shoulders and did a fresh face with a little kitten wing on the eyes.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or traditions?

Getting anxious.

How are you feeling overall this fashion week? Are you feeling any NYFW jitters or have you fallen into a familiar cadence at this point?

I love fashion week, and I feel so lucky that I get to be a part of it. I am literally doing what I have dreamed of my entire life; it’s really crazy to think about. It is definitely a hectic week, but I find the business of it all super exciting, and everything I get to do is so cool. I get a little anxious every time I go to a big event or show, but that’s just because I’m a shy girl at my core. I definitely feel way more comfortable attending shows now than I used to!

What's something unexpected you are doing this fashion week to prepare for shows?

Not preparing. I’ve somehow managed to be so busy that I haven’t had any time to.

Since you call NYC home already, are there any non-NYFW-related things you're making a point to do in between the shows and events?

Pilates! Working out has become my favorite way to disconnect from all the craziness and really focus on myself and clear my mind.

Obviously, Michael Kors has so many iconic looks from over the years. If you could reach into the brand archives, what are you pulling out to wear?

I would pull everything from the '90s runway shows, but a recent look that I was obsessed with was that black open-back suit/gown worn by Suki Waterhouse at the 2025 Met Gala.

Photographer: Kohl Murdock
Hairstylist: David von Cannon
Makeup Artist: Sandy Nicha
Wardrobe: Michael Kors