Michael Kors - The Design Giant
Profile
Michael Kors (born Karl Anderson Jr.) is an American fashion designer and a popular Michael Korssportswear maker. He is best-known as being the honorary chairman and chief creative officer of his namesake company, Michael Kors Holdings Limited (KORS) that is popular as a brand that makes men’s and women’s ready-to-wear accessories, footwear, jewelry and fragrance.
Early Life
Karl Anderson Jr. was born on August 9. 1959 in Long Island, New York, to Karl Anderson Sr., a college student from Sweden and Joan Hamburg, a former model. When Karl was 5 years of age his mother remarried Bill Kors and changed his last name to Kors as well. When given a choice to choose a new first name as well he chose to rename himself as Michael David Kors.
Michael grew up in Merrick, New York and went on to graduate from the John F Kennedy High School in Bellmore, New York as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, New York.
Career
Michael had an interest in designing and fashion since a very early age. At the age of 5 years, he even redesigned his mother’s wedding dress for her second marriage. He started designing and selling clothes from his parents’ basement when he was in his teens.
After dropping out of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York he worked at a boutique where he was also allowed to sell his creations from a small counter in it. In 1981, Michael launched the women’s-wear line, Michael Kors Womenswear at various famed designers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc.
In 1990, Michael established the KORS Michael Kors line but had to discontinue it for some time after 1993 due to bankruptcy issues. In 1997, he again launched a lower-priced brand this time and was chosen as the first ever women’s ready-to-wear designer for the popular French fashion house Celine.
In 2003, Michael left Celine to concentrate on his own brand Kors. In 2002, Kors launched its first line of menswear. In 2004, he launched the MICHAEL Michael Kors and the KORS Michael Kors lines, which included women’s footwear and bags as well as ready-to-wear apparels.
In 2011, Michael celebrated the 30th anniversary of KORS. Michael was a judge on the Bravo Emmy-nominated reality show Project Runway. In 2014, Michael Kors’ personal net worth was estimated at around $1 billion.
Heights
In 2013, Michael featured on The Time 100 Most Influential People’s list. The next year, in 2014, Michael was named the Out Magazine’s 2014 Power 50 List. In 2015, Michael was named the Global Ambassador Against Hunger by the United Nations’ World Food Program.
Personal Life
Michael Kors is married to Lance LePere and the couple stays in their plush house in New York City.
Awards
- 2015
-
Golden Heart Lifetime Achievement
- 2010
-
Oliver R Grace
- 2003
-
CFDA
- 2001
-
FiFi Lifetime Achievement
- 1999
-
CFDA
Know More
What Motivates Michael Kors
- Full Name :
- Karl Anderson Jr.
- Zodiac Sign :
- Leo
- Birth Place :
- Long Island
New York
- Education :
- Fashion Institute of Technology New York City
- Occupation :
- Fashion Designer
- Industry :
- Business,
Fashion & Retail
- Networth :
- $915 million
