Should you ever think you just don’t have enough time in the day to do everything you need to, consider Michael Kors for a second. The American designer, who has been in business since 1981, has a global presence that’s a virtual atlas of A-to-Z cities around the world, and regularly visits said stores to meet in person the women (and men) who buy his designs. Yet, somehow, he is still able to squeeze in a whole other life. That’s the one that revolves around his tireless work for the charity God’s Love We Deliver, every Broadway opening night, and a home life in New York City with husband Lance Le Pere.
Much of this will likely come up when he sits down at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference on October 12 with Virginia Smith, the magazine’s Market Director, Fashion and Accessories. Kors and Smith will be discussing his career through images of his work in Vogue, a conversation that will no doubt include plenty of the highly amusing anecdotes that would make an autobiography, should he ever write one, hilarious and essential reading.
Kors will be joining plenty of other mega-talents—the “forces”—that day, but we thought it would be fun to ask him (and his fellow speakers) about the people, places, and pop culture moments that have helped shape his outlook on fashion. Watch this space for more, and visit www.vogueforcesoffashion.com to purchase tickets.
The fashion designer he thinks is a force: The one and only Yves Saint Laurent“He changed the game forever!”
The model: Gisele Bündchen“Sporty, sexy, glamorous, and full of optimism.”
The photograph: Arthur Elgort’s shot of Lisa Taylor driving.
The movie: All About Eve“Brilliant writing, incredible acting, and a story that never gets old.”
The band/musician/composer: Rufus Wainwright“From opera to folk to classic, there’s nothing he can’t do.”
The TV show: Feud“Fascinating real life with the unbelievably deft touch of Ryan Murphy. Anything he does, sign me up.”
A moment in time: His first trip to Africa“The power of it left me speechless.”
A location: Capri“Nature, glamour, style, and history—there’s nothing else like it.”
A piece of art: Anything by Rothko “He was truly a rule breaker, and the way he used color knocks me out emotionally.”
A piece that holds a certain power: Aviator sunglasses“They’re the epitome of timeless cool, and they look good on everyone.”
For more information on or to purchase tickets to the Forces of Fashion conference, visit vogueforcesoffashion.com.
Read about Virgil Abloh’s Forces of Fashion here.