Over the course of the last four decades, American designer Michael Kors has revolutionised the world of fashion with his innovative and timeless designs, capturing the imagination of an entire generation.
As the undeniable king of the New York fashion scene, Kors has unashamedly forged his own path to build an inclusive company that encompasses all facets and categories within the industry, setting the precedent and creating a blueprint for what it means to be entrepreneur and business mogul in the modern world.
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION FALL/WINTER 2021: THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY RUNWAY SHOW
As the fashion community comes together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Michael Kors brand, here are 20 things you need to know about the life and career of the iconic designer:
1. Michael Kors was born as ‘Karl Anderson Jr.’ August 9th, 1959 in Long Island, New York to parents Joan Hamburger, a former model, and her first husband, Karl Anderson Sr.
2. As a child Michael modelled for, and starred in, several American TV commercials for breakfast cereal brand Lucky Charms and Charmin’ paper towels.
3. At 5 years of age he redesigned his mother’s wedding dress claiming the original design had too many “excessive ornaments”.
4. In 1977 Kors enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After two semesters, he dropped out and took a job at the French boutique Lothar’s, where he started as a salesperson and went on to become both the designer and visual display head for the store.
5. At 23, Michael charmed and convinced fashion editor Anna Wintour – then of New York Magazine, now the editor of Vogue – to view his namesake collection, which helped boost his profile in the fashion world.
6. In 1981, Kors launched his eponymous Michael Kors women’s label at Bergdorf Goodman.
7. Michael once described his design aesthetic as a mix between Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor – saying his Mother was more like the former, and his Grandmother like the latter.
8. He was named the first creative director of the CELINE brand in 1997.
9. Micheal dropped his menswear line in 2002.
10. The MICHAEL: Michael Kors line was launched in 2004, and included women’s handbags and shoes as well as women’s ready-to-wear apparel.
11. Celebrities including Michelle Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Middleton, Blake Lively, Kate Hudson and Angelina Jolie have all worn his designs.
12. Michael served as a judge on the Emmy-nominated reality television programme Project Runway, for 10 seasons.
13. In 2010, Kors was the youngest recipient ever of the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and received the Fragrance Foundation’s FiFi Award for Lifetime Achievement.
16. At the close of the first fiscal quarter in 2016, Kors had over 770 lifestyle stores around the world.
17. Michael Kors is name checked by artists including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Big Sean and Pusha T in some of their biggest hits.
18. Kors has been a keen collector of photography for more than 30 years, with his impressive collection of art including a treasured signed photo of Elizabeth Taylor.
19. Michael says the big secret to his success is that he loves and adores women.
