Michael Kors

Michael Kors, born Karl Anderson Jr. on Long Island, New York, developed an early interest in fashion. At the age of five, he advised his mother on her wedding dress, demonstrating an innate eye for design. He later attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, though he left after nine months to gain practical experience at Lothar’s, a prominent boutique on West 57th Street. During his time there, his talent was recognized by Dawn Mello, then executive vice president of Bergdorf Goodman, who encouraged him to launch his own collection. In 1981, Kors officially launched his namesake line.

Kors’ career progressed with the success of his designs, known for their chic, luxurious sportswear aesthetic that combined glamour with effortless wearability. He held his first runway show in 1984. From 1997 to 2004, he served as creative director of Céline, a French luxury brand, where he revitalized its image and product lines. Concurrently, he expanded his own brand, launching Michael Kors Mens in 2002 and MICHAEL Michael Kors in 2004. These developments solidified his reputation as a designer who understood the needs of modern men and women, leading to the creation of an enduring fashion empire.

Beyond his design work, Kors has been a consistent philanthropist and a recognized figure in popular culture. For over 25 years, he has supported God’s Love We Deliver, a non-profit organization providing meals to seriously ill individuals. In 2013, he initiated “Watch Hunger Stop” with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), helping to deliver over 35 million meals by 2025. He was appointed Global Ambassador Against Hunger for the WFP in 2015. Additionally, Kors gained wider international recognition as a judge on the reality television program Project Runway for 10 seasons, starting in 2004.