Michael Kors: Accessible Luxe

American designer Michael Kors creates clothing and accessories with a glamorous, go-anywhere vibe. Few designers have that gift for democratizing luxury and allowing women and men to put some style into every aspect of their busy lives.

Mom's own stylist

Michael Kors was born in 1959 in Merrick, a suburb of New York City. He was an only child and grew up surrounded by fashion-conscious women, including his mother, a former model. By age five his interest in fashion was evident—he found the bows on his mother’s wedding dress frivolous and advised her to take them off. And she did. It was her son’s first step in the fashion world, and a dozen-odd years later he entered the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

There he landed a job at the trendsetting NYC boutique Lothar’s, where he soon caught the eye of Dawn Mello, then executive vice president of Bergdorf Goodman. She told him to let her know when he launched a collection of his own. He did. The Michael Kors line was launched in 1981 and was an immediate success.

From runways to wardrobes

The first Michael Kors fashion show featured none other than catwalk sensation Iman and took place in 1984. The Michael Kors Collection was made up of luxurious pieces including eveningwear, shoes, and handbags.

Women took to “MK” from the start. This was a designer who got it—who understood that they wanted luxury for everyday wear. Michael Kors is considered a “sportswear” label for its elegant, bold, self-confident pieces that remain both casual and affordable.   

Michael Kors MICHAEL Collection shows how that works with trendsetting pieces in a variety of cuts, colours, styles, and prints that mix any way you want with the rest of your wardrobe. Its sporty feel has an urban outlook that conjures up the thrill of the jet-setting lifestyle, with a piece for every occasion. Kors was named Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1999. His first menswear collection came out in 2002 and is now an integral part of the label.

Timeless classics

Kors is not one of those traditional-type designers who completely reinvent themselves every year. He’s remained true to himself year in, year out, proffering simple, classic pieces with a touch of luxury that help women feel sexy, elegant, and feminine. He is recognized worldwide as the king of American sportswear, although he’s also one of the only American designers to head up a French fashion house, occupying the position of creative director at the House of Céline from 1997 to 2004. 

Kors has been showered with awards and honours. He was a judge on television’s Project Runway for many years, was U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s favourite dressmaker, and in 2010 received the CFDA’s lifetime achievement award.

The details make the difference

For eyeglasses, the label’s standard “casual luxe” remains front and centre, with no shortage of creative touches to distinguish the models. They could be described as falling into three categories: glam, sexy, and sporty.

That means that small details like the circle with the MK logo or Mercer lock (a brand symbol) inserted in the temple of the frame up the glam factor, flower cut-out motifs or butterfly shapes add romance, and flat lenses and rimless frames are perfect for a sportier style.

The 2019 collection models (see above) are a fine expression of the brand’s personality and its blend of boldness and chic.  

Check out the Michael Kors frame collection at an Opto-Réseau clinic near you and get yourself into the MK style known and worn by women of all ages in more than 100 countries.