Michael Kors answers our burning email questions.
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"An out-of-work actor usually waits tables, but an out-of-work designer can work in a clothing store," is how Michael Kors once explained why he gave up his childhood dreams of Hollywood stardom for Seventh Avenue. Luckily for Kors, his days as a struggling designer are long gone. Today, the creations he's making for the French label Celine are a huge success and they often make a splash in major motion pictures. His ladylike, elegant and timeless collections have been worn by Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair, Helen Hunt in What Women Want, Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde and Jennifer Love Hewitt in Heartbreakers. Not bad for an F.I.T. dropout who seems equally inspired by classic film icons such as Audrey Hepburn and more contemporary ones like Sharon Stone. Kors's work will next appear on Natasha Richardson in The Chambermaid, on Catherine Zeta-Jones in Intolerable Cruelty and on Halle Berry in X-Men 2.
TO: Michael Kors
FROM: Movieline
DATE: June 11, 2002
How did you come to dress Rene Russo for The Thomas Crown Affair?
TO: Movieline
FROM: Michael Kors
DATE: June 13, 2002
Rene has always been one of my favorite clients and a terrific friend. The Thomas Crown Affair was the first film where she got to play a glamorous, sexy character. She phoned me when filming began and that got the ball rolling.
ML: Was it fun working with style icon Gwyneth Paltrow on Possession?
MK: It's always wonderful to see Gwyneth in clothes, whether on-screen or in her personal life, because she knows how to wear what's new, but she never makes it look costumey or unnatural. She has the eye of someone who could be a fashion editor. Gwyneth was familiar with the Celine collection and suggested that the clothes would be great for Possession.
ML: Which films would you like to costume design if they were going to be remade?
MK: The Godfather Parts I and II, Chinatown, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Mahogany and Casino.
ML: When you're really burned out from work, what movie do you pop into your DVD player to cheer you up?
MK: Some good trash like Mahogany or Summer Lovers.
ML: What female screen characters have inspired you?
MK: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Ali MacGraw in Love Story, both girls in Thelma & Louise and Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct.
ML: What male screen characters have inspired you?
MK: Jack Nicholson in Chinatown, Steve McQueen in the original The Thomas Crown Affair, Robert Redford in Downhill Racer, Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient and Luke Wilson in The Royal Tenenbaums.
ML: If you could live inside a movie, which would it be?
MK: The original Sabrina, which starred Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden.
ML: Is there a movie that has given you ideas while you've been designing?
MK: I've been inspired by everything from Bonnie and Clyde to Casino to Belle de Jour. For me, the most interesting collections sometimes combine disparate film influences.
ML: What's the first movie that made a huge impression on you?
MK: My Fair Lady. I still rewind to see Audrey Hepburn walk downstairs in her gown.
ML: Which actor or actress, living or not, would you most like to dress that you haven't?
MK: Katharine Hepburn.
ML: When you were younger, was it always a foregone conclusion that you would be a fashion designer?
MK: I wanted to be an actor until the age of 14 or so, and then I decided that fashion was really my first love.
ML: What was your first big break?
MK: Selling my collection at Bergdorf Goodman in that first season of business launched me into the international fashion world.
ML: You're dressing two big stars in their upcoming films--Catherine Zeta-Jones in Intolerable Cruelty and Halle Berry in X-Men 2. Who are you more excited about working with?
MK: I'm a huge admirer of both Catherine and Halle. I think they combine great talent and screen presence with terrific personal style. I'm excited that both were interested in wearing my clothes.
ML: In the future, would you like to get more involved with the film industry?
MK: I think fashion and film are totally intertwined and I love seeing my two favorite things combined. I doubt I would ever design a Victorian period piece, but working on more contemporary films is something I enjoy and am always interested in.
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Anna Lisa Raya