Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and Versace are iconic brands that are part of Capri Holdings, a global luxury fashion group that covers the full spectrum of luxury fashion categories.
The goal of Capri Holdings is to further expand the global reach of the three brands while ensuring that they retain their independence and exclusive DNA. Capri’s commitment to inclusivity creates an inclusive space where all employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential and excel, while at the same time contributing in meaningful ways to the company’s success.
Different ideas and experiences allow our company to flourish. We recruit employees who reflect the diversity of the world around us, we encourage them and we are committed to them. Our responsibility for promoting equality applies not only to those who work for us, but also to our industry, the customers we serve and the communities around us.
Today we introduce Christian Obrist, our District Manager Outlets Central Europe, who takes care of our outlets in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland. He gives us personal insights into his work and into the Capri culture.
Mr. Obrist, what do you like most about your job as District Manager Outlets?
I like that in my job I can help people develop further. As the head of our outlet business in Central Europe, I deal with many people and also have the task of supporting them in developing their talents and getting closer to their professional goals. At Michael Kors, people are really the focus. We actually live what is called an inclusive corporate culture, with flat hierarchies and in international exchange. We work very internationally, and that is of course particularly exciting.
How long have you been with Michael Kors and what exactly do you do?
I joined Michael Kors more than two years ago. As District Manager for our outlets in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland, I am, so to speak, the link between Michael Kors’ retail area and the corporate area.
You have many years of experience in retail. Why is retail exciting at Michael Kors?
The interesting thing is that retail really combines many different tasks and perspectives: You are in contact with our customers, you work with great, high-quality products, you need a feel for visual merchandising and of course you still have all the business issues. In other words, retail is a broad field, and those who start here really have many opportunities to test, develop and develop their talents. And that’s exactly where a modern company like Michael Kors wants to help. We want to help our employees find out what kind of work makes them happy. This is important to us because only satisfied employees are motivated and stay with us for a long time.
The purpose at Michael Kors is: “feel great.” Could Michael Kors also follow this principle in the pandemic?
In all honesty: yes! I was very impressed with how the company helped employees during the pandemic and tried to improve the situation. We continued to pay salaries, paid out bonuses and increased short-time work benefits. We have also set up a wellbeing program with online yoga courses, there were opportunities for further training, interviews with exciting personalities were organized, etc. All of this has shown that the company cares about its employees, even if they are, for example in the Retail, unable to work due to store closings. Other companies have done the opposite and are now faced with the difficult task of rebuilding their workforce.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It doesn’t exist! Every day is different and brings new tasks. Ultimately, it’s always about optimizing our stores, which means that I travel a lot and meet many different people from different cultures. An important task is to motivate these people, to support them, to be at their side in their development.
Which successes are most important to you personally?
I am personally very motivated to be able to pass on knowledge and experience and to see how people grow and develop. When I help people take the next step in their careers, for example, that’s great. After all, we need these people: While other competitors are closing stores, we even opened stores during the pandemic and more are already being planned.
How would you describe the culture at Michael Kors?
Terms such as corporate behavior, support, trust, inclusion, diversity, inspiration, innovation, leading by example, i.e. leading by example, all of this is filled with content and lived here. We work in an international, diverse team where there is no room for discrimination, that is really the focus of the company. Everyone is invited to contribute ideas to make a difference. Cooperation is welcome. For example, there is a think tank group made up of international store managers to learn from each other and develop new ideas, not only in operational business, but also in terms of working with the team. For example, we have developed an exchange program within the company that started this year and is to be continued.
It is also about promoting growth and further development beyond the individual positions. At Michael Kors you can easily switch to other areas, for example from retail to corporate and vice versa and of course between the individual brands.
Michael Kors, along with Jimmy Choo and Versace, belongs to the US American Capri Holding. What makes Capri a special employer?
There are of course a lot of points to be mentioned (laughs)! First there are the really great, iconic brands and their further international growth potential. This is a great opportunity for every employee. Together with a strong, inclusive corporate culture, with our openness to new ideas and innovations, we offer our employees many development opportunities.
In addition, of course, we also take our ecological and social responsibility seriously and are actively working on new concepts and are already implementing many of them. For example our “Watch Hunger Stop” initiative as our best-known program, where we support aid organizations to provide those in need with food
Click here to see open positions at Michael Kors in Germany >>>