Michael Kors was already a world-renowned name when he was tapped to lead the house of Celine in 1997, marking a pivotal moment for the storied Parisian label. His appointment reflected a trend of American designers leading European brands at the time. Then-CEO Nan Legeai, an American, cited to WWD that it was not only a synergy, but Kors’ talent and vision as reasons for his hire.

Celine, founded in 1945 as a children’s footwear company by Italian duo Celine and Richard Vipiana, expanded into clothing in the 1960s but remained relatively low-profile until Bernard Arnault acquired it in 1987. It joined the LVMH fashion empire in 1994.

Kors, the first outsider and only the second designer to lead Celine, brought his refined simplicity and wearable luxury to the brand from 1997 to 200

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