Michael Kors Company History.

Michael Kors was born and raised on Long Island, a suburb of New York City. He attended The Fashion Institute of Technology, where he studied fashion design.

Mr. Kors began his career in fashion at the age of 19 designing and merchandising a collection for the renowned boutique Lothar’s in New York City. The success of these clothes caught the attention of the fashion press prompting Kors to strike out on his own. In 1981 the Michael Kors label was formed; his first women’s collection was launched at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, amongst other stores. Since his collection was established, it has never strayed from Kors’ initial vision of chic, luxurious American sportswear. In June of 1999 Michael Kors received the most prestigious award in the fashion industry – the CFDA Award for Womenswear Designer of the Year.

In January of 2002, the company launched a full scale men’s collection, which had previously been a capsule men’s wear line launched in 1997. The line received a fantastic response and in 2003, the CFDA bestowed Kors with the distinct honor of Menswear Designer of the Year.

In Fall 2004, Kors unveiled his latest collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors, with an unprecedented launch in over 350 stores nationwide. The MICHAEL Michael Kors collection includes women’s and men’s ready to wear, accessories including handbags and small leathergoods, men’s tailored clothing, dress shirts, neckwear, and timepieces for both women and men.

Mr. Kors first signature fragrance for women, ‘Michael Kors’ was launched in September of 2000 and has consistently been in the top three within every door it is offered. Following the success of the women's fragrance, Kors launched his men's signature fragrance collection in the Fall of 2001, and his newest fragrance, Island, will be available worldwide in the Fall of 2005.

In November of 1997, Mr. Kors was named the first women’s ready-to-wear designer for the house of Celine, a division of LVMH, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and in February of 1999, he was named Creative Director for the house, and given the additional responsibility of overseeing all women’s products and creative imaging. Mr. Kors completed his contract with Celine after showing his 13th Collection in Paris in March 2003, and now focuses solely on his namesake fashion house.

Celebrities who have worn Mr. Kors’ clothes include Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Catherine Zeta Jones, Sharon Stone, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelica Huston, Sigourney Weaver, Liv Tyler and Rene Russo, who Mr. Kors worked with on her wardrobe for the 1999 remake of the “Thomas Crown Affair”.

Michael Kors is involved in numerous charitable organizations, serves as an Executive Vice President and is on the Board of, The Council of Fashion Designers of America. Mr. Kors currently resides in New York City.