know your legends

The all-American designer and his expanding fashion empire

Fashion designer-turned-business mogul Michael Kors’ rise to the top of the fashion industry

FASHION DESIGNER-TURNED- BUSINESS MOGUL Michael Kors has been a hot topic in the last few weeks. His namesake company, Michael Kors Holdings, recently announced that it would be expanding its global fashion luxury group with the acquisition of Gianni Versace (in November 2017, the business completed the purchase of Jimmy Choo). Michael Kors Holdings also announced a name change – to Capri Holdings. Kors started out his fashion career in 1978 as a salesperson for the Lothar’s boutique in New York City. Soon after, he went on to become the designer and head of visual display, and in 1981 Kors was asked to launch his eponymous label at luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman. In 1997, he reached international fame when he was appointed as the first women’s ready-to-wear designer for French fashion label Céline; in 2003, he left the maison to focus on his own brand. He gained even more popularity during his stint as a judge on the hit TV series Project Runway. His ready-to-wear label, Michael Kors Collection, is a part of the New York Fashion Week schedule and his classic American designs have been seen on a string of A-list celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and Dakota Johnson, as well as former

First Lady Michelle Obama. Kors’ own affordable fashion label may have been the subject of multiple Instagram memes (remember those?) but after his recent business move this 59-year-old has got some major plans up his sleeve.