Jewellery (jewelry)

By Rosemary Feitelberg Over the past 27 years, Michael Kors has weathered the pratfalls that go along with building a $500 million business, and he’s not afraid to laugh about them.

Frank as ever, Kors regaled guests at a Fashion Workshop luncheon at the National Arts Club last week, by giving them a little insight to his “crazy history” and telling them how he “got into this racket.” The Five Towns native described coming to New York in the late Seventies and how seeing fashion director Ellin Saltzman and stylist Carrie Donovan in person wound up being more exciting than seeing Julia Roberts and George Clooney. These days he is more ramped up about a different kind of celebrity connection. “Jessica Simpson and Barbara Walters own the same [Michael Kors] dress. To me, that’s the greatest fact in the world that I am doing my job well,” he said.

The audience was rapt listening to his tales of working as a salesperson at Lothar’s, where he helped shoppers like Rudolf Nureyev and Jackie Onassis shop, even pulling off the latter’s boots. Kors also described trekking his first collection to Vogue to show Vera Wang, during her fashion editor days. He also addressed fashion’s everchanging ways.”I remember when we did summer, or Indian summer. What was that???”? Michael KorsKors recalled how after starting his business he waited two years before holding a fashion show to be sure he could make and ship his collections right on schedule. “Of course today when you’re 27, you win a lifetime achievement award and if you don’t, you are ticked off,” he said,

The designer joked about some of his own early missteps. “I made some regrettable clothes, like the bodysuit for men ? I have one. Snaps on the crotch for men? I don’t think so.”

All too familiar with how all these seasons, namely resort and cruise, no longer consist of a swimsuit and a pair of pants women take to the Caribbean, Kors said he is thankful for one aspect. “The smartest thing is that they are not runway shows because then designers get to concentrate on the clothes women live in and wear every day,” he said.

But things could be worse. “I remember when we did summer, or Indian summer. What was that?” he said.