1981
The first collection
Kors launched his own line after working at the New York boutique Lothar’s. His approach joined ease of wear to an image of American glamour.
The House & Its Designers
Michael Kors
New York · 1981
American sportswear translated into a broad accessories wardrobe.
Michael Kors founded his label around polished clothes for everyday life. Its accessories extend that sportswear perspective through useful shapes, familiar hardware and a balance of casual and dressed-up details.
15 photographs · Reviewed August 2026
Explore the history ↓
01 / The house
The story behind the name.
A wider wardrobe
Different lines, different roles
Michael Kors Collection and MICHAEL Michael Kors serve different parts of the business. Keeping those lines distinct helps explain the range of materials, positioning and designs.
The bags
Everyday function
Totes, satchels and crossbody bags form a large part of the accessories range. Designs such as the Hamilton and Jet Set apply the label’s polished vocabulary to practical formats.
02 / The designers
The people who shaped the house.
Selected creative chapters; dates distinguish appointments from runway debuts.
Founder
Michael Kors
Builds a wardrobe around American sportswear, travel and an accessible idea of glamour.
On the runway
Selected looks and details, matched to the house and season.
Michael Kors · Spring 2024 Ready To Wear
Michael Kors · Fall 2024 Ready To Wear
03 / The bags
A vocabulary in leather and form.
A selection of the house’s designs. Resale photographs illustrate individual examples; size, finish and condition vary.
01
Hamilton
A structured tote family with lock-inspired hardware.
02
Selma
An angular top-handle bag with extended side panels.
03
Mercer
A structured leather tote with clean lines and minimal decoration.
04
Soho
A quilted chain-strap bag with a prominent rectangular clasp.
05
Whitney
A structured shoulder-bag family with a decorative clasp.
More designs to know
- Jet Set
- A practical accessories family spanning totes, crossbodies and travel formats.
- Cece
- A structured flap shoulder bag with lock-style hardware.
- Greenwich
- A flap shoulder bag with substantial chain and clasp details.