Michael Kors can’t really be called just a fashion designer anymore. He’s a full-fledged lifestyle brand, and that lifestyle is about to include colour cosmetics and several new fragrances.
Kors says he’s driven by perfection, and that means a total look. „Beauty is always such an important part of my runway. When we put on a fashion show – after this many years – I’ve learned the layers and the steps. When I first start thinking mood of the season, beauty is part of it from the start. The right dress with the wrong makeup is still wrong.“
He talked to The Associated Press about developing lifestyle products .
QAP: How is the process different for you in developing beauty products versus clothing and accessories? AKors: With accessories and clothes, first I have to fall in love with whatever it is, but then I get practical. Is the bag too heavy? Can you wear a bra with the dress? With beauty, it’s more of a quick mood check. … It’s more gut. Immediately, if I smell something and it’s evocative, I go with it. What takes so long is packaging.
What about beauty products?
When you buy something beauty, whether it’s a lipstick, nail polish or a new fragrance, it’s not a long shopping period. You either buy it or not. A perfume should take you away quickly – there’s no trying on pants with a shoe, rolling the jean just right, pretending you have heels on when you try on a skirt.
There are three types of muses for your three new perfumes, Sexy, Sporty and Glam. Who are they? There’s the ’sexy,‘ who is all about confidence. She’s not naked, she could be in jeans or a gown, but she’s sexy. There’s ’sporty,‘ the woman who could be headed to the red carpet or gym, but she’s the type who just goes. And there’s ‚glam,‘ who likes to be the centre of attention.
Did you have any of your famous friends in mind when making them? I have a cast of characters that float by me, sometimes a friend, someone I work with, sometimes celebrity clients – all people who have those moods. For sporty, it’s Blake Lively, can’t you see her surfing and putting on a gown? Or Gwyneth (Paltrow) with her hair yanked back in a pony? Sexy is Angelina Jolie or Rihanna. They exude confidence.