# Michael Kors: Michael Kors

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-03-06
- Length: 1h 17m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors

## Summary

Michael Kors, founder and chief creative officer of Michael Kors (now Capri Holdings), recounts building a global fashion empire from his Long Island childhood to designing for Bergdorf Goodman in his bedroom. He details the catastrophic failure of a licensing deal with an Italian partner that led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and his subsequent strategic pivot to accessories and fragrances after realizing their power during his tenure at Celine. With new investors Silas Chow and Lawrence Stroll, he scaled the brand into a multi-billion dollar public company, acquiring Versace and Jimmy Choo while maintaining his role as creative director.

## Chapters

- [0:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=24) Early Life and Fashion Influences
- [23:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=1380) Starting the Brand at Bergdorf Goodman
- [46:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=2812) The Bankruptcy Crisis
- [53:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=3196) Recovery and the Celine Lesson
- [58:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=3527) Scaling with New Investors
- [1:05:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=3948) The Power of Accessories and Global Expansion
- [1:11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-06-michael-kors-michael-kors#t=4260) Creative Leadership and Brand Identity

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Bergdorf Goodman (company)
- Celine (company)
- LVMH (company)
- Capri Holdings (company)
- Versace (company)
- Jimmy Choo (company)
- Project Runway (product)
- Lothars (company)
- Onward Kashiyama (company)
- Tommy Hilfiger (company)
- Calvin Klein (company)
- Ralph Lauren (company)

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- [006: Customizable swimwear with Kelsey Duffy of Versakini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-04-19-006-customizable-swimwear-with-kelsey-duffy-of-versakini) (Product Startup)
- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [044: Turning customizable jackets into a multi-million dollar business, Elyse Daniels of Exodus Wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-14-044-turning-customizable-jackets-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-elyse-dani) (Product Startup)
- [#258 - How Dossier Disrupted the Fragrance Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-07-21-258-how-dossier-disrupted-the-fragrance-industry) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-02-05-339-beyond-the-dieline-ep-1-with-tom-seymour-and-jessica-kwon-from-moka-energy) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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