New York, December 06, 2025
Capri Holdings is shifting its strategy for Michael Kors, abandoning a previously attempted high-fashion transformation in favor of reviving the brand’s signature “modern glamour” aesthetic to stabilize performance and support broader portfolio goals. This realignment is part of a post-Versace reset announced in 2025, aimed at reinforcing Michael Kors’ core commercial appeal.
Capri Holdings, the parent company of Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo, has formally ended its multi-year attempt to reposition Michael Kors as a high-fashion luxury brand. Instead, the company is pivoting back to Michael Kors’ established identity centered on accessible, polished luxury.
The failed “complete transformation” sought to elevate Michael Kors into a premium label competing directly with European couture houses, but it encountered market resistance, creating brand confusion and sluggish sales. Investor pressure and leadership changes within Capri hastened the strategic course correction, with Versace now positioned as the group’s flagship luxury brand.
Michael Kors’ revival of “modern glamour” reflects a strategic recalibration focused on the brand’s foundational strengths: wearable sophistication and accessible luxury designed for a jet-set lifestyle. This includes emphasis on tailored outerwear, luxe knits, and sleek dresses, suited to city, beach, and resort settings. Fall/Winter 2025 collections have already demonstrated this direction through soft tailoring, cozy layering, and a refined color palette of rich neutrals and classic black and white.
The brand is prioritizing polished power dressing that balances comfort with confidence, moving away from experimental fashion statements towards wardrobe staples and seasonally themed storytelling. This approach aligns with current consumer preferences favoring versatility and timelessness over seasonal extremes.
Capri Holdings’ portfolio management has been recalibrated following the Versace acquisition and leadership turnover, presenting Michael Kors as a stable, commercially viable asset. The company expects the renewed focus on Michael Kors’ heritage could help restore investor confidence and support Capri’s overall valuation while capitalizing on consumer demand for practical luxury.
Michael Kors will further emphasize its core offerings in hero accessories, including handbags, shoes, and small leather goods, areas historically associated with strong sales and brand identity. Marketing efforts may intensify with campaigns highlighting the brand’s modern glamour heritage, leveraging influencer and celebrity partnerships to enhance visibility without overshadowing core product values.
This strategic pivot is a pragmatic response to market realities, rejecting the pursuit of flighty, high-fashion reinvention in favor of re-centering on the brand’s proven strengths. By embracing a consistent and accessible aesthetic, Michael Kors aims to differentiate itself amid a crowded luxury market that ranges from fast-fashion imitators to ultra-high-end couture houses.
While Capri invests more aggressively in Versace’s luxury credentials, Michael Kors is being positioned for sustained growth through commercial appeal and brand clarity. This dual strategy intends to capture a broader range of luxury consumers without sacrificing coherence across the conglomerate’s brands.
Looking ahead, Capri’s approach suggests a more conservative, commercially grounded Michael Kors that embraces its roots and market realities, signaling a stabilization in the competitive luxury fashion landscape as the group refines its overall portfolio strategy.