Michael Kors
Capri Holdings · United States
Michael Kors is an American fashion and accessories brand founded in New York in 1981 by designer Michael Kors and today owned by Capri Holdings. Best known for accessible luxury handbags, it is the largest brand in the Capri portfolio alongside Jimmy Choo.
| Founded | 1981, New York |
|---|---|
| Founder | Michael Kors |
| Owner | Capri Holdings |
| Group CEO | John D. Idol (chairman and CEO of Capri) |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Segment | Accessible luxury |
| Website | michaelkors.com |
What is Michael Kors?
Michael Kors is a global fashion brand built around American sportswear and a polished, jet-set aesthetic. It sells ready to wear, handbags, footwear, watches and accessories and is the flagship brand of Capri Holdings, the listed group led by chairman and chief executive John D. Idol.
History
Kors launched his womenswear label at Bergdorf Goodman in 1981. After a difficult period in the early 1990s, when the business filed for Chapter 11 protection following the collapse of a licensing partner, he relaunched the brand and also served as women's ready to wear designer at Céline from 1997. In 2003 investors Lawrence Stroll and Silas Chou took a majority stake, and John Idol joined to run the company. The lower priced MICHAEL Michael Kors line followed in 2004, and the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011.
Michael Kors Holdings acquired Jimmy Choo in 2017 and Versace in 2018, renaming itself Capri Holdings in 2019. A planned takeover of Capri by Tapestry was abandoned in 2024 after a US court blocked the deal, and Capri completed the sale of Versace to Prada Group in December 2025, leaving Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo as its two brands.
Products and positioning
The brand operates across a runway collection and the broader MICHAEL Michael Kors line. Handbags and small leather goods are the commercial core, while watches, eyewear and fragrance have been developed with licensing partners.
Business model and distribution
- Own stores: full price stores and outlets in North America, Europe and Asia
- Wholesale: department stores and in-store boutiques
- E-commerce: brand websites in key markets
- Licensing: watches, eyewear, fragrance and other categories
Why it matters
Michael Kors helped define the accessible luxury handbag category and was central to one of the largest attempted consolidations in American fashion. After the Versace sale, its performance is the main driver of Capri Holdings' strategy to stabilise the business and return to growth.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Michael Kors?
Michael Kors is owned by Capri Holdings, a New York listed group that also owns Jimmy Choo. Capri sold Versace to Prada Group in December 2025.
Is Michael Kors a luxury brand?
Michael Kors is usually described as accessible or affordable luxury. Its runway collection sits at designer price points, while the larger MICHAEL Michael Kors line and outlet business target a broader premium market.