Updated November 11, 2026 (ET).
Justin Boxford, a longtime Estée Lauder Companies executive who more than doubled the size of La Mer, has been named the next chief executive of Capri Holdings, the company behind Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.
On November 11, 2026, Capri announced that Boxford will become CEO and join the board of directors, effective January 4, 2027. He succeeds John D. Idol, who will retire as chairman and CEO after more than two decades in the role. Idol said he had led Capri for the past 23 years. Robin Freestone, currently lead director, will become independent chairman, and Idol will remain as a senior advisor through March 31, 2027.
CNBC reported that Boxford is joining after nearly 23 years at Estée Lauder, where he most recently served as global president of the company’s luxury beauty brands. Capri’s release says he joined Estée Lauder in 2004 and has more than two decades there.
Justin Boxford: Quick facts
Full name: Justin Boxford.
Known for: Incoming CEO of Capri Holdings, owner of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo; former Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands at The Estée Lauder Companies; previously led La Mer and more than doubled the brand’s size, according to Capri.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Business from European Business School London, according to Capri’s announcement.
Early career: Previously held positions at LVMH, Unilever, and L’Oréal, Capri said, before joining Estée Lauder in 2004.
Estée Lauder path: More than two decades at the company, including senior roles based in Hong Kong, five years leading La Mer, and Global Brand President of Estée Lauder and AERIN Beauty; most recently Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands, and a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Latest news: Named CEO of Capri Holdings on November 11, 2026, effective January 4, 2027, succeeding John D. Idol.
How did Justin Boxford rise at Estée Lauder?
Capri’s biography of Boxford says he brings nearly 30 years of global luxury and beauty experience, including more than two decades at The Estée Lauder Companies, which he joined in 2004. Before that, he held positions at LVMH, Unilever, and L’Oréal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from European Business School London.
At Estée Lauder, Capri says, he 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 included global travel retail and marketing leadership roles across prestige and luxury brands, including responsibility for Michael Kors fragrances—work Idol later pointed to in Capri’s announcement.
He then spent five years leading La Mer, Capri said, “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.” After that, he served as Global Brand President of Estée Lauder and AERIN Beauty. Capri said that in that role he led a brand transformation that “restored growth, strengthened brand desirability and consumer engagement and accelerated innovation across key categories,” and that under his leadership the Estée Lauder brand regained market share across multiple subcategories, re-entered prestige fragrance with the launch of Glimmer, and expanded distribution into high-growth channels.
Most recently, he was Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands, and a member of Estée Lauder’s Executive Leadership Team. That is the role Capri said he held immediately before the appointment.
What is Justin Boxford taking over at Capri?
Capri describes itself as a global fashion luxury group consisting of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. In December 2025, the company completed the sale of Versace to Prada for $1.375 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Idol said at the time that proceeds would be used to repay the majority of the company’s debt, and that Capri would focus on Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.
Idol, a veteran of the fashion and luxury industry, has led the company since the early 2000s. Capri said that under his leadership the group “significantly expanded Michael Kors into a multi-billion-dollar brand globally” and that he oversaw the acquisition of Jimmy Choo “and its growth over the past eight years.” CNBC reported that he has led the company since December 2003. In the November 11 announcement, Idol called the past 23 years “an extraordinary privilege,” said the company was “on the path to return to growth in the fourth quarter,” and added that he had worked with Boxford in the past “while he helped build the Michael Kors fragrance business at The Estée Lauder Companies.”
“Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo are iconic luxury houses, with distinct identities and tremendous potential,” Boxford said in the Capri release. “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.”
Robin Freestone, Capri’s lead director, said the appointment was “the culmination of a thorough Board-led process” and cited Boxford’s “exceptional track record of revitalizing and growing global luxury and beauty brands” and his “deep international experience.”
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Frequently asked questions about Justin Boxford
When does Justin Boxford become CEO of Capri Holdings?
On January 4, 2027. Capri announced the appointment on November 11, 2026. He will also join the board on that date.
Who is Justin Boxford replacing?
John D. Idol, who is retiring as chairman and chief executive after more than two decades, including the past 23 years as leader of Capri, according to the company and Idol’s own statement. Idol will serve as a senior advisor through March 31, 2027. Robin Freestone will become independent chairman.
What did Justin Boxford do at Estée Lauder?
He joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 2004 and most recently served as Global President, Luxury Beauty Brands. Capri says he spent five years leading La Mer and more than doubled the brand’s size, then served as Global Brand President of Estée Lauder and AERIN Beauty.
What brands will he run?
Capri’s remaining brands are Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. The company sold Versace to Prada in December 2025.
Further reading
CNBC: Capri names Estée Lauder executive Justin Boxford new CEO
Capri Holdings: Completes sale of Versace (December 2, 2025)
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