Michael Kors was born and raised on Long Island and attended The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. As a child, he had two ambitions: to be a movie star or a fashion designer. He describes himself not as an only child, but as a companion to his mother, a former Revlon model and shopaholic, who brought him up alone. At 4 years old, he modeled in cereal commercials and by the time he was a teenager he was taking the train to Manhattan to study acting. As a child he studied the fashion sketches in the New York Times newspaper and would admire the artistic talents of designers. During this time, His grandparents would help cultivate his growing interest in the garment industry by showing him beautiful fabrics and explaining the importance of quality craftmanship.
He began his career in fashion at the age of 19 by designing and merchandising a collection for boutique Lothar's in New York City. The success of these clothes caught the attention of the press, prompting Kors to attempt it on his own. In 1981, the Michael Kors label was born.
Since his collection was established, it has never strayed from Kors' initial vision of chic, luxurious American sportswear. In 1997, he was named the first women's ready to wear designer for the house of Celine. He was chosen when Bernard Arnault (chairman of LVMH who owned Dior and Givenchy) felt he was the man to breathe new life into the deluxe French house. In 1999, he received the most prestigious award in the fashion industry- the CFDA Award for Womenswear Designer of the Year.
In 2002, the company launched their men's collection which received a great response. This led him to receive the CFDA award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2003.
Celebrities who have worn Michael Kors' include Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Debra Messing. Mr. Kors even worked with Rene Russo's wardrobe for the 1999 remake of the "Thomas Crown Affair."