Thirty-five years after starting his first label, designer Michael Kors has amassed major fashion credentials thanks to his two brands - Michael Kors Collection, as shown at NYFW, and Michael Michael Kors - and his flourishing fragrance range (its latest launch, Wonderlust, is out now).
Alongside a client base that includes Anna Wintour, Kate Middleton and Taylor Swift, you can hardly move on the train without bumping into one of his leather totes, fitted with that distinctive dangling MK coin. And that’s his secret. He’s found the elusive sweet spot between the affordable and the luxury, earning himself the status of fashion powerhouse.
Here he exclusively tells Stylist his rules for accessorising...
1. Have a handbag wardroble
“Every woman needs a base wardrobe of handbags. First, a perfect black satchel for work, then a simple black clutch, just big enough to fit your phone, for the evenings. Finally, invest in a seasonless tote in tan or saddle-coloured leather – like a great pair of jeans, it will just get better with age.”
2. Follow the three outfit rule
“To ensure that your accessories have a long life, I’m a major advocate of the three-outfit rule. When in a store, scroll through your phone’s photo album. If you can find images of yourself wearing three different outfits that the piece would work with, then buy it.”
3. Match quirky with classic
“To avoid the risk of buying a bag you’ll never use, look for one which has one classic element, and one unfamiliar feature. Classic shapes like cross-body bags look great in a statement colour or print, but if you’re buying a style you haven’t worn before, then always invest in black.”
4. Remember that less can be more
“From the neck up, your accessories should be punctuation points: you don’t want to be wearing too many. If you’re going for a pair of bold sunglasses, skip the chunky earrings and bright red lips. A spritz of scent is all you really need.”
5. Stay practical
“Purely decorative hats just aren’t my thing. For me, a hat should be functional. If it can show off your personality at the same time, then even better – you just don’t want it to look too forced.”
Michael Kors’ Wonderlust EDP is £43 for 30ml. Available nationwide now
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