Michael Kors facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Kors
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Kors in c. 2008
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| Born |
Karl Anderson Jr.
August 9, 1959 Long Island, New York, U.S.
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| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Spouse(s) |
Lance Le Pere
(m. 2011) |
| Parents |
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| Awards | 1999 CFDA award for womenswear designer of the year 2003 CFDA award for menswear designer of the year |
| Honours | CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year in 1999
CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year in 2003 CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award |
Michael David Kors (born Karl Anderson Jr. on August 9, 1959) is a famous American fashion designer. He is the main creative boss of his own brand, Michael Kors. This brand sells many items like clothes for everyday wear, accessories, watches, jewelry, shoes, and perfumes for both men and women.
Before focusing on his own brand, Kors was the first designer for women's ready-to-wear clothes at the French fashion house Celine. This was from 1997 to 2003. In 2019, his company, Michael Kors Holdings Limited, changed its name to Capri Holdings Limited. Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, and Versace are three big brands that are part of Capri Holdings Limited.
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About Michael Kors
Michael Kors was born as Karl Anderson Jr. on Long Island, New York. His mother, Joan Hamburger, was a model. His father was Karl Anderson Sr. When Michael was five years old, his mother married Bill Kors, and Michael's last name was changed to Kors. His mother also let him choose a new first name, and he picked Michael David Kors. He grew up in Merrick, New York, and went to John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, New York.
Michael Kors married his partner, Lance Le Pere, on August 16, 2011. Their wedding took place in Southampton, New York.
His Fashion Career
Michael Kors loved fashion from a very young age. His mother thought it might be because she worked as a model. When he was only five, he even helped redesign his mother's wedding dress for her second marriage! As a teenager, Kors started designing clothes. He sold them from his parents' basement, which he called "the Iron Butterfly."
In 1977, he started studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. But he left after just nine months. He then got a job at a clothing store called Lothar's. He began as a salesperson and later became the store's designer and visual display manager.
Starting His Own Brand
In 1981, Michael Kors launched his first women's clothing line under his own name at Bergdorf Goodman. This is a very famous department store. In 1990, his company started a second line called KORS Michael Kors. However, in 1993, he had to pause the KORS line because of problems with a business partner.
He recovered by 1997 and launched a new, more affordable clothing line. At the same time, he became the first designer for women's ready-to-wear clothes at the French fashion house Celine. During his time at Celine, Kors helped the brand become very successful. He created popular accessories and highly praised clothing lines. He left Celine in October 2003 to focus completely on his own brand. In 2002, he also launched his menswear line.
Dressing Celebrities
Many famous people have worn Michael Kors' designs. These include Nicole Kidman, Tiffany Haddish, Reese Witherspoon, Lupita Nyong'o, Olivia Wilde, Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, Renee Russo, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Kate Middleton, Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Blunt, Kristen Stewart, Ariana DeBose, Vice President Kamala Harris, Heidi Klum, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sigourney Weaver, and Ciara.
Michelle Obama wore a black dress by Kors for her first official portrait as First Lady. She also wore his designs at the 2015 State of the Union address.
Viola Davis wore a special Michael Kors Collection gown when she won a Golden Globe award for her role in the movie Fences. Kate Hudson and Olivia Wilde both wore his gowns to the 2016 Golden Globes. Emily Blunt wore a white custom gown by him in 2015. Joan Allen wore his gown when she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. As the creative director of Celine, Kors designed many outfits for actresses in movies. These included Gwyneth Paltrow in Possession and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair.
Alicia Keys wore one of his gowns for her performance at Barack Obama's inaugural ball in 2013.
Television Appearances
Kors was a judge on the popular reality TV show Project Runway. This show helps new fashion designers compete. It aired on Bravo for five seasons and then on Lifetime. In 2012, it was announced that Kors would leave Project Runway. Another designer, Zac Posen, took his place. However, Kors returned to Project Runway in 2016 as a guest judge for the season 15 finale.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Kors has received many awards and honors for his work and his efforts to help others:
- 2016: The World Food Program USA gave Kors the McGovern-Dole Leadership award. This award was presented by Vice President Joe Biden.
- 2015: He was named a Global Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme. This means he helps fight hunger around the world.
- 2015: The non-profit organization God's Love We Deliver named their new building the Michael Kors Building. This was to honor his long-time support.
- 2013: He was chosen for The Time 100 list. This is Time magazine's yearly list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
- 2013: He received the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion from The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
- 2013: Kors gave Hillary Rodham Clinton the first-ever Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service.
- 2012: He received the Golden Heart Lifetime Achievement Award from God's Love We Deliver. This group provides meals to people who are very sick. He has worked with them for over 20 years.
- 2010: He received the Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service in Advancing Cancer Research. This award is given by the Cancer Research Institute, which works to find new ways to treat cancer.
- 2010: Kors was the youngest person ever to receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He also received the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi Award for Lifetime Achievement for his perfumes.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Kors para niños
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
- New York Fashion Week
- NYC Pride March
