For his 45th anniversary in business, Michael Kors is keeping the celebrations going.

In February, following his runway show at the Metropolitan Opera, Kors invited guests across the street to P.J. Clarke’s for a cozy night of martinis and fries. On Thursday, he celebrated with a decidedly more summery take: with a dinner in the Hamptons.

“This is the beach answer,” Kors said during cocktail hour, as guests mingled at The Hedges Inn in East Hampton. “I think it’s kind of the ultimate before we all go back to school, before the collections, before everything. And I just wanted to celebrate with everyone before reality hits.”

Flood watch was already in effect in Manhattan and the rain would indeed come later in the evening, but around 7 p.m. it was still balmy and temperate on the patio outside Swifty’s, the hotel’s restaurant. Rosé circulated as Naomi Watts and daughter Kai Schreiber arrived, followed soon by Lizzie Tisch, Huma Abedin and Carolyn Murphy.

“How was your summer?” Abedin greeted the Michael Kors team, a subtle reminder that September is mere days away. Kors looked on approvingly as Murphy posed on the hotel’s lawn in one of his designs, a summery black dress. Jane Krawkowski strolled up soon enough, as did Aerin Lauder, Sophie Elgort, Christie Brinkley and daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook and Tamron Hall, who scooped up a glass of wine as she walked in.

Katie Holmes brought new boyfriend and artist Jason Bard Yarmovsky to the event, holding his hand as she went over to greet Kors and his husband Lance LePere.  

Just shy of 7:30 p.m., a single raindrop fell and the crowd moved under the tent, where dinner and strawberry shortcake were to be served.

Kors has been back and forth between Europe, California and the Hamptons throughout the summer.

“I mean, listen, the natural beauty — it’s a cliche to say, but even if you’re stuck in traffic, if you’re on the right street, you’re like, ‘wow,’” Kors said of the joy of being out east, as he ordered a Ketel on the rocks with an orange slice. “It’s a time for us to see people and also actually try to slow down. We don’t actually go out. Of course, none of us should be thrilled to see deer, but I do feel like in a strange way, when they come in the morning and my husband and I sit there we’re like, ‘Is this a Hamptons version of a safari?'”

That said, there is plenty to look forward to this fall — fashion week, of course, but also theater-wise. The longtime Broadway supporter is especially excited for “Other Desert Cities,” marking Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Broadway debut.

Soon after the Hamptons dinner, Kors and LePere would be headed to London for a quick pre-fashion week visit to see some shows. 

“Ben Platt is doing a show called ‘Midnight at the Never Get,’ and we’re seeing Cate Blanchett at the National,” Kors said. “Before we jump into fashion I need the release of great theater — and then we’ll jump in.”