Star Quality

In a fashion career that spans almost four decades, Michael Kors has gone from upstart to institutionand done a world of good with his philanthropic work.

Bette Midler sings the praises of her longtime friend.

MICHAEL KORS IS WHAT EVERY young designer wants to grow up to be: a gajillionaire.

There, I’ve said it—but let me add that I don’t think there’s a single soul who would begrudge him a nickel of that. He made it the old-fashioned way—by working hard and using every ounce of his enormous talent, his intelligence, and his radiant good humor to lift him to the top of a business based on dreams and that most ephemeral of things: beauty.

It was many, many years ago that I first encountered Michael, on the island of Capri, at the sidewalk bar in front of the Grand Hotel Quisisana. (I mean, of course it would be Capri—doesn’t it make perfect sense? Just look at his ads!

Everyone in them is either on their way there or just returning from a brief rendezvous—private jets, yachts, great clothes, and a little mischief.) There he was at a tiny outdoor table, wearing a turquoise linen shirt the color of his eyes and surrounded by a group of people clutching their sides with laughter. He left his table, bounded up to me and introduced himself, and I fell in love then and there.

This was before Michael became known around the world as the hilarious judge of Project Runway, where, season after season, the young (and youngish) designers tried their best to impress. I think people tuned in mostly to hear what Michael would say about the various outfits that came strutting or stumbling down the catwalk week after week. Critically, he always hit the nail on the head, but he did it with panache, and somehow managed to be funny rather than cruel. Of course, this endeared him to all of us watching: Those poor hopefuls could have been any of us! Who knew fashion could be so much fun (and so much hard work)?