The following biography contains information on Fashion Designer Michael Kors.

BIOGRAPHY
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 LotharÕs 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 womenÕs collection was launched at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, amongst other stores. Since his collection was established, it has never strayed from KorsÕ initial vision of chic, luxurious American sportswear. In June of 1999 Michael Kors received the most prestigious award in the fashion industry Š the CFDA Award for Womenswear Designer of the Year.

In January of 2002, the company launched a full scale menÕs collection, which had previously been a capsule menÕs 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 will unveil his latest collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors, with an unprecedented launch in over 350 stores nationwide. The MICHAEL Michael Kors collection will include womenÕs and menÕs ready to wear, accessories including handbags and small leathergoods, menÕs tailored clothing, dress shirts, neckwear, and timepieces for both women and men.

Mr. Kors first signature fragrance for women, ŌMichael KorsÕ 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 womenÕs fragrance, in September of 2001 Kors launched his menÕs signature fragrance collection.

The first Michael Kors flagship store, at 974 Madison Avenue in New York City opened in September of 2000. In February of 2002, an Asian flagship was opened in TokyoÕs Ayoma district. In August of 2004, the company will open its West Coast flagship at 360 North Rodeo Drive, which will unveil a new retail format, giving customers the ultimate luxury shopping experience. In September of 2004, the company will open its third Collection boutique in the United States at The Americana in Manhasset, New York.

In November of 1997, Mr. Kors was named the first womenÕs ready-to-wear designer for the house of Celine, a division of LVMH, Mo‘t Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and in February of 1999, he was named Creative Director for the house, and given the additional responsibility of overseeing all womenÕs products and creative imaging. Mr. Kors has just completed his contract with Celine after showing his 13th Collection in Paris this past March, and looks forward to focusing solely on his namesake fashion house, and the upcoming launch of MICHAEL Michael Kors.

Celebrities who have worn Mr. KorsÕ 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 ŅThomas Crown Affair.Ó

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.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
1983 DuPontÕs first American Original Award
1995 Elle/Cadillac Fashion Award for Excellence
1999 Lifetime Achievement Award from Lighthouse International
CFDA Award for WomenÕs Designer of the Year
The New York Award, from New York Magazine
Golden Hanger Award for best designer, presented by E! Television Networks
2000 WomenÕs Fragrance Star of the Year for MICHAEL, by The Fragrance Foundation
Best New WomenÕs Fragrance for MICHAEL from Cosmetic Executive Women
2001 Nominated for Accessories Designer of the Year Award by the CFDA
MenÕs Fragrance Star of the Year for MICHAEL for Men, by The Fragrance
Foundation
Best New MenÕs Fragrance for MICHAEL for Men from Cosmetic Executive Women
2003 CFDA Award for MenÕs Designer of the Year
2004 CFDA Nomination for WomenÕs Designer of the Year
CFDA Nomination for MenÕs Designer of the Year

The company designs and distributes high-fashion apparel and footwear forboth men and women. It added timepieces to its offerings through a licensing deal with Fossil (2004), eyewear through a license with Marchon Eyewear, swimwear through a licensing deal with Warnaco Swimwear, and socks via a license with American Essentials. In 2004 the company launched its MICHAEL Michael Kors collection, aimed at the more financially conservative consumer. Michael Kors himself owns about 15% of the company, while Sportswear Holdings, the holding company owned by fashion investors Silas Chou and Lawrence Stroll, bought an estimated 85% of the company in January 2003.

COMPANY PROFILE
Michael Kors

JOB TITLES
Designer

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on information provided by individual designers, public relations agencies and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.

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