Kors studied design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the late 1970s. While there, he took a part-time job at Lothar's, a boutique on 57th Street. On graduation, the owners asked him to produce a collection and by the next season, he was designing most of the items in the store.

In 1981, he launched his first women's collection, which included jumpsuits layered with jackets in natural fabrics and neutral colours. The minimalist, body-hugging outfits were sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. Kors was awarded DuPont's first American Original Award in 1983.

Kors' look is clean, modern and understated, highlighted by graphic lines with a sleek, sexy and sophisticated touch.

In 1995, he launched his bridge label, KORS Michael Kors, and the next year was named by Vogue magazine as one of the so-called New Establishment.

In 1997, Kors became a designer at luxury French house Celine, and was made creative director of ready-to-wear in 1998 (he left in 2004 to concentrate on his own line).

In 2000, he launched a women's fragrance, Michael Kors, followed by a men's fragrance and accessories in 2001. In 2004, he unveiled his MICHAEL Michael Kors collection, a line of ready-to-wear, accessories, eyewear, watches and small leather goods. His third fragrance, Island, came out recently.

In 2004, he became one of the judges on reality-TV show Project Runway. He also serves on the board of directors of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He lives in New York City.

The look?

For the women's autumn/winter collection, Kors featured his trademark mixture of American preppy and sportswear chic, including long vests and cable-knit cardigans with rugby stripes and paisley prints. The men's autumn/winter 2006 collection draws on The Great Gatsby. There's plenty of layering, but the look is still immaculate.

Defining fashion moment?

In 1999, he won the prestigious CFDA award for womenswear designer of the year. He won again, for menswear, in 2003.

Fun fact?

He has designed for several films, including the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair.

Who swears by it?

Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pierce Brosnan, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Usher, Kate Bosworth and Jessica Simpson.

Where?

His collections are available at his stores in the Landmark, Central, tel: 2523 0998; Harbour City, TST, tel: 2730 2666; and at Harvey Nichols, the Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3316. MICHAEL Michael Kors will be available at Sogo, Causeway Bay, in September.