Michael Kors is an American fashion designer, celebrated for his sports-luxe aesthetic, charity work, and outgoing personality.

Kors was born on August 9, 1959.

Kors' was born Karl Anderson. Kors' is the last name of his step father, Bill Kors. 

As a child Kors worked as a model, appearing in television commercials for Lucky Charms and Charmin' paper towels.

He gave up acting when he was 14, in order to follow his dream of becoming a fashion designer.

In 1977, he enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He dropped out 9 months later, when he was offered the opportunity to sell his own designs at New York-based shop Lothars.

It was here that Dawn Mello, the former fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman, gave Kors the chance to show his collection to the buyers at Bergdorf Goodman. A deal was reached and within three years, Kors' collections were stocked in all major U.S, luxury outlets, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales.

In 1979 he told the Pittsburg Post-Gazette: "I had no pre-conceived notions about what worked and what didn't. After (a year-and-a-half), I realized what kind of clothes I wanted to make, and that they worked. I always loved very simple, understated things." 1984 saw his first catwalk show.

In 1995 Kors told American Vogue: "I think that women are interested in fashion, but only if it works. They're looking for a new answer to an old question."

In 1997, Kors was made designer of the LVMH-owned French fashion house Céline, reviving the brand and turning around its fortune and public image with his progressive, accessory-driven collections.

1999 saw LVMH buy a 33 per cent stake in Michael Kors' business and promoted him from designer to creative director at Céline.

He remained at Céline until 2003 when he left to fully concentrate on his own growing empire.

In 2003, Sportswear Holdings Limited acquired an estimated 85% stake in Michael Kors for $100 million dollars, buying out the shares formerly held by LVMH, Onward Kashiyama, and Kors' long-time business partner, John Orchulli.

In 2004 he launched his diffusion line MICHAEL Michael Kors, which offers lower-priced alternatives to his main line.

Kors was an esteemed judge on the hit US television series Project Runway for five seasons.

Throughout his career Kors has championed emerging talent, giving the likes of Derek Lam and Lazaro Hernandez (Proenza Schouler) internships at his brand.

He has collected many accolades throughout his career including: CFDA Womens wear Designer of the Year, 1999; CFDA Mens wear Designer of the Year, 2003; the Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service in Advancing Cancer Research, 2010; the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi Award for Lifetime Achievement, 2010; and the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA, 2010. He was the youngest ever recipient of the latter.

Kors married his long-term partner, Lance LePere, in August, 2011.