American designer Michael Kors is the founder and chief designer for the eponymous Michael Kors label of sportswear and accessories.

Kors made his name in sumptuous, chic sportswear that straddles luxury and casual. He gained greater mainstream fame with his run as a judge on the reality TV program, Project Runway.

Kors grew up in Long Island, N.Y. and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. His first job was designing and merchandising a collection for Lothar’s, an upscale boutique in New York City. In 1981, he launched the Michael Kors label, and his women’s wear collection was carried in Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

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In 1997, Kors took over as artistic director at Celine, the French sportswear label in need of rejuvenation and owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA. LVMH later bought a 33 percent share in Kors’ company. In 2001, Kors launched accessories under his label, including handbags, shoes, belts and eyewear. The following year, he rolled out a men’s wear collection. In 2003, Kors left Celine in order to spend more time developing his own label.

Kors is a two-time winner of the coveted Council of Fashion Designers of America Award, first for women’s wear in 1999 and again for men’s wear in 2003.