"It reminds me of New York because everything is possible in Shanghai. The people and the place truly embody the jet-set mentality that the brand represents," says Kors, who came to Shanghai with his signature simplicity: black shirt, cashmere pullover, white on the bottom and accessorized as always with a pair of aviators.

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As a label of American luxe life, Michael Kors runs counter to disposable fashion by creating the brand image of a jet-setter, someone who is always on the go and prefers a recyclable wardrobe of both beauty and functionality. Even eveningwear follows that mode, often based on tanks and tees so that, Kors says, women look divine and are also able to easily sit down and comfortably enjoy a party.

"American style is not just jeans and T-shirt. It's an attitude - it's clothing and accessories that are glamorous but built for speed and a busy life," says Kors.

Kors learned about fashion from his family, where he was constantly inspired by his sporty mother, sexy aunt and elegant grandmother who traveled a lot with trunks filled with hatboxes, shoes, jewelry and enough clothing for three outfit changes a day.

His particular taste for simplicity was later developed with a huge influence from the works of photographer Ron Galella, one of the first people to capture the original jet-setters of the 1960s and '70s, such as Robert Redford and Bianca Jagger.

New York, Kors' birthplace, career base and the "ultimate catwalk" with widely varied fashion, now guarantees him a continuous source of inspiration.

"New Yorkers live fast. They are always on the go, and I design my clothes and my bags and my shoes to keep up with them," he says.