Capri Holdings chairman and chief executive officer John Idol on Wednesday firmly denied a WWD report that a search for a successor to Michael Kors is being considered.
In a statement, Idol said, “Michael Kors is and will remain the chief creative officer of his namesake company. His vision is essential to our success. Any information to the contrary is incorrect.”
In a separate statement to Capri staff, obtained by WWD, Idol added, “This morning WWD published an article that suggested we are seeking a successor for Michael Kors. This information is not true and we have issued the below press statement to address and correct any misconceptions the article may have created. Michael continues to lead the creative vision of our company with great enthusiasm.”
The article was focused around the planned retirement of Dries Van Noten and how brands are beginning to think of succession strategies for designers in the longer term rather than immediately replacing them or waiting them to suddenly depart. Van Noten’s company was acquired by Puig in 2018 and at that time he had informed the Spanish group that he would stay for another five years. His last show for the brand he founded in Antwerp will be the men’s spring 2025 collection, which will be shown in Paris in June. The women’s spring 2025 collection will be designed by his studio team.