This past Wednesday Michael Kors got personal with NY Fashion Week creator, Fern Mallis, letting us in on all things Kors. For weeks Mallis has been interviewing the top fashion designers like Tom Ford and Donna Karan on her Fashion Icons’ series at the 92nd Street Y. Though Kors’ interview was the last installment of the series, it was a wonderful way to end it – but I’m a little bias. Stashed in my closet are a few Michael Kors pieces that I cherish, the first of which I bought on my first trip to NY. If you missed the interview, below we’ve rounded up the top quotes of the night.
When asked what now-husband Lance showed him to get hired as an intern:
What did he show me? Oh my god, I’m going to get sued!
On helping to launch the careers of Victoria’s Secret models:
A lot of my fit models have turned out to be Victoria’s Secret Angels. I love beautiful, healthy, upbeat, happy people.
On there being room for only one Karl in fashion:
Kors: I knew in fashion there was only one Karl.
Mallis: But you were only 5 years old!
Kors: I had a premonition there could be only one! By the time my mom got married I wanted a really adult name. My mom wanted to name me Dov, I wanted to be Michael – not Mike, not Mikey, Michael.
On the theme of his Bar Mitzvah:
Everything was mustard and brown, the napkins, the cups, the yarmulkes, everything. I actually wanted a lobster bake which didn’t go over to well. My father’s family came in madras shorts, my mother’s came in evening gowns.
On writing a book:
Oh I’ll definitely write one someday–not yet! We’re not even halfway there yet.
On who would play him in a movie:
If it’s a drama and vanity comes into the picture, I’m going to have to go with Daniel Craig. If it’s big box office, and it’s a comedy, I’m going to go Will Ferrell.
On what fashion trend he would like to see die:
Well I have to say, maxi dresses I think are terrific if you have a tailor, but if I see another girl literally tripping over her clothes, sweeping it on the ground – the trend that I want to see? Everyone get a tailor. How hard is it? GET A TAILOR.
On the biggest mistake of his design career:
I personally think the worst thing I did of my design career was bodysuits for men. Now [at the time] I thought it was very smart, but of course, snaps on the male anatomy are not a good thing. I learned that as a men’s designer it can’t be just about [what I would wear.]
Want to catch a replay of Kors’ interview? Unfortunately it’s not up yet on 92nd Street Y’s YouTube channel, but keep checking. In the meantime, check out Tom Ford’s interview with Mallis.
