Michael Kors - MK

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Self-made designer Michael Kors had an interest in fashion from a very young age and started selling clothes he had designed out of his parents' basement when he was a teenager. After dropping out of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kors was discovered by the fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman and given the seed money to start his own line. The designer's Michael Kors brand officially launched in 1981 as a womenswear collection that was sold at high-end department stores. Heralded as a breakout in the industry, Kors was presented with a number of fashion awards, and he soon expanded his line to include shoes and menswear.

A downturn in the economy forced Michael Kors to declare bankruptcy in 1993, but he recovered within just a few years by signing on to create designs for other major companies. Back on top by the turn of the 21st century, Kors began venturing into accessories, fragrances, and handbags. He also officially went global by opening specialty stores in countries around the world. Today, the brand has a presence in Europe and Asia in addition to North and South America. Products continue to be sold by major retailers in addition to Michael Kors stores and Michael Kors Outlets.

Women's Merchandise

Products

Michael Kors began as a luxury women's line, and it still maintains its reputation for creating fashionable apparel for this niche today. The collection's dresses feature styles like dance dresses, sheath dresses, caftans, mini dresses, evening gowns, flare dresses, and more. You'll also find a variety of tops, including blouses, poplin shirts, tunics, peasant tops, gingham shirts, and peplum tops. Cardigans, sweaters, shrugs, and pullovers make up the selection of light outerwear, and you'll also find blazers, crepe jackets, peacoats, bomber jackets, vests, and trenchcoats for more warmth.

The brand's pants are mostly made of lighter fabrics like twill, linen, and cotton, and they are available in a number of styles--including trousers, capris, leggings, tapered pants, and culottes. Michael Kors has a relatively sparse denim selection that offers a few different styles of jeans. Shorts and skirts are offered in several different lengths and cuts, and they feature different colors and patterns that range from casual to more formal. They brand also has a line of swimwear so that you can look stylish at the pool. The Michael Kors Collection is much more luxurious than the more affordable Michael Michael Kors line, but the garments in both collections feature similar styles. In shoes, Michael Kors offers wedges sandals, pumps, boots, sneakers, flats, and more. Apart from apparel, the company also makes accessories like jewelry, watches, sunglasses, wallets, and handbags.

Swap.com's Rating of Michael Kors

As a fashion icon, Michael Kors has made quite a name for himself over the last three decades. His designs manage to emulate high fashion without becoming over-the-top trendy like many other brands. The company has trouble settling on a specific niche because its clothes cover such a wide range of price points. The Michael Kors Collection is out of reach for the vast majority of shoppers (most clothes retail well above $1,000), but even the Michael Michael Kors line ranges from apparel under $100 to options over $1,000. As a result, some pieces are very affordable while others are not. In addition to his sense of style, Michael Kors is also well known for his commitment to philanthropy. The company supports organizations that fight hunger across the globe. All things considered, we give Michael Kors 4 stars out of 5.