ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 26, 2018
Michael Kors Buys Versace in $2B Deal
The company will change its name to Capri Holdings Ltd. after acquiring the Italian fashion house.
From left to right, Gianni Versace S.p.A CEO Jonathan Akeroyd, design director Donatella Versace and Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. Chairman and CEO John D. Idol. Michael Kors announced Tuesday it was buying the Italian fashion house in a $2 billion deal. (Photo credit: Rahi Rezvani)
London—Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. has reached an agreement to acquire Versace in a deal valued at $2.12 billion, the companies announced Tuesday.
Michael Kors is a New York-based publicly traded company that sells clothing, accessories, footwear, wearable tech, watches, jewelry, eyewear and perfume. The company just launched a line of sterling silver jewelry priced at $60 to $495 retail.
Michael Kors Holdings also owns luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo.
Based in Milan, Gianni Versace S.p.A. is a 40-year-old Italian luxury label that designs, manufactures and distributes haute couture and prèt-à-porter clothing as well as accessories, jewelry, watches, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings, all bearing the distinctive Medusa logo.
The late Gianni Versace founded the company in 1978 and headed it until his death in 1997. Today it is run by his sister, Donatella Versace, his brother, Santo Versace, and Donatella’s daughter, Allegro Versace Beck.
The companies said Donatella Versace will remain on board as design director following the acquisition, as will Versace CEO Jonathan Akeroyd.
The transaction is expected to close in the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, subject to specific closing conditions.
Following completion of the Versace acquisition, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. will become Capri Holdings Ltd., and own and operate three fashion brands: Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo. The name is a nod to the resort island of Capri, located off the coast of Italy.
The acquisition of Versace means the end of the independence of one of fashion’s last standalone brands, and is the second major acquisition in little more than a year for Michael Kors, which announced it was buying Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion in July 2017.
Michael Kors said it intends to grow Versace’s revenues to $2 billion globally, expand its store count from 200 to 300, accelerate ominchannel, and focus on men’s and women’s accessories and footwear.
Acquiring Versace also will help the company grow its presence in Asian markets while cutting back on exposure in the Americas.
Michael Kors said in the release announcing the acquisition that purchasing Versace would “diversify our geographic portfolio from 66 percent Americas to 57 percent Americas, 23 percent Europe to 24 percent Europe and 11 percent Asia to 19 percent Asia.”
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
