Mr. Boxford brings nearly 30 years of global luxury and beauty industry experience, with a proven track record of building iconic brands, driving business transformation and delivering sustainable growth across global markets. Recognized for his strategic leadership, deep consumer understanding and ability to build high-performing teams, he joins Capri from The Estée Lauder Companies, where he most recently served as Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands. Prior to this role, he served as Global Brand President of Estée Lauder, where he led a comprehensive transformation, restoring growth, accelerating innovation, expanding across categories, strengthening brand desirability and redefining the consumer experience across digital and physical touchpoints. Previously, he led La Mer through a period of significant growth, more than doubling the brand’s size and strengthening its position as the global leader in luxury skincare.
Capri Holdings has appointed Justin Boxford as chief executive officer and board member from January 4, 2027, succeeding John D. Idol, who will retire after more than two decades and remain a senior advisor through March 31, 2027.
Lead Director Robin Freestone will become independent chairman as the group looks to build Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo and return to growth in the fourth quarter.
“This announcement is the culmination of a thorough Board-led process to identify Capri’s next Chief Executive Officer, and we are confident that Justin is the right leader to guide Capri in its next chapter of growth,” said Mr. Freestone. “He brings an exceptional track record of revitalizing and growing global luxury and beauty brands, deep international experience and a people-centered leadership approach. We look forward to Justin leveraging his expertise and perspectives to build on the strengths of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo and pursue the opportunities ahead.”
“I am honored to be joining Capri as Chief Executive Officer and am excited to lead this exceptional company,” said Mr. Boxford. “Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo are iconic luxury houses, with distinct identities and tremendous potential. I look forward to working with Capri’s teams around the world to build on the brands’ strong foundations, deepen connections with consumers and drive sustainable growth and value for our shareholders.”
A veteran of the fashion and luxury industry, Mr. Idol has played a defining role in shaping Capri over more than two decades, overseeing its evolution into a multi-billion-dollar global luxury fashion group. Under his leadership, Capri significantly expanded Michael Kors into a multi-billion-dollar brand globally. He also oversaw the acquisition of Jimmy Choo and its growth over the past eight years that has further strengthened Capri’s brand portfolio.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead Capri for the past 23 years,” said Mr. Idol. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together and deeply grateful to our Board of Directors as well as to our talented teams around the world, whose passion and dedication have driven our success. With the progress we have made in advancing our strategic initiatives and with the Company on the path to return to growth in the fourth quarter, this is the perfect time for Capri to transition to its next Chief Executive Officer. I have had the opportunity to work with Justin in the past while he helped build the Michael Kors fragrance business at The Estée Lauder Companies and have watched his successes over the years. I am confident he is the ideal person to lead Capri into the future.”
Mr. Freestone continued, “On behalf of the Board, I want to express our sincere gratitude to John for his many significant contributions and unwavering commitment to Capri. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in building Capri into the global luxury group it is today, and his impact on our brands, people and industry will be felt for years to come.”
About Justin Boxford
Mr. Boxford brings nearly 30 years of global luxury and beauty industry experience, including more than two decades at The Estée Lauder Companies, which he joined in 2004. Most recently, he served as Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands. Prior to this role, he served as Global Brand President of Estée Lauder and AERIN BEAUTY, leading a significant brand transformation that restored growth, strengthened brand desirability and consumer engagement and accelerated innovation across key categories. Under his leadership, the Estée Lauder brand regained market share across multiple subcategories, re-entered prestige fragrance with the successful launch of Glimmer and expanded its distribution into high-growth channels.
Previously, Mr. Boxford spent five years leading La Mer, where he more than doubled the brand’s size, expanded and diversified its product portfolio and strengthened its position as a global leader in luxury skincare. Mr. Boxford brings deep expertise in global brand building and international markets, having held senior leadership roles based in Hong Kong, where he drove the Estée Lauder brand’s growth across China and Asia Pacific and spearheaded the expansion of TOM FORD BEAUTY across the region. His experience also includes global Travel Retail and marketing leadership roles across multiple prestige and luxury brands, including responsibility for Michael Kors fragrances.
Mr. Boxford was a member of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Executive Leadership Team and previously held positions at LVMH, Unilever and L’Oréal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from European Business School London.
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Fibre2Fashion News Desk (MS)
