Where Are Michael Kors Sunglasses Made

Michael Kors sunglasses are made under license by EssilorLuxottica, the Italian eyewear giant that also produces Ray-Ban, Prada, and Chanel eyewear, with production split between Italy and China depending on the collection.

Michael Kors built his reputation as an American fashion designer, but the sunglasses carrying his name are not stitched together in a Michael Kors owned factory anywhere.

Like nearly every fashion label that sells eyewear, Michael Kors does not manufacture its own frames or lenses.

Instead the brand licenses its name to a specialist eyewear company, which designs, engineers, and physically produces the glasses while Michael Kors focuses on marketing and retail.

That arrangement raises an honest question for shoppers: if a licensee builds the frames, does that mean the quality takes a hit compared to an in house eyewear brand? Below we walk through exactly who makes Michael Kors eyewear, where the factories are located, how ownership at Capri Holdings fits into the picture, and how to spot a genuine pair before you buy.

Where Are Michael Kors Sunglasses Made?

Michael Kors sunglasses are manufactured by EssilorLuxottica, the licensee that holds the exclusive rights to design and produce Michael Kors eyewear.

Production takes place across EssilorLuxottica facilities, primarily in Italy and China, with the exact plant depending on the collection, price tier, and materials used.

Premium acetate frames and more expensive styles tend to come from Italian production lines, following the same model EssilorLuxottica uses for other licensed labels.

More accessible, mass market Michael Kors styles are more likely to be produced in China, where EssilorLuxottica also operates large scale optical manufacturing through its Luxottica subsidiary.

EssilorLuxottica does not publish a model by model breakdown of factory locations, so the safest general answer is Italy and China, with Italy associated with the higher end pieces.

Who Makes Michael Kors Eyewear? Understanding the Licensing Model

Fashion eyewear almost always works through licensing, and Michael Kors is no exception to that industry standard.

The brand owner, in this case Capri Holdings through Michael Kors, grants a specialist manufacturer the right to use its name on glasses in exchange for royalties and marketing support.

That manufacturer, the licensee, handles design development, materials sourcing, lens technology, factory production, and worldwide distribution of the finished product.

Michael Kors eyewear has changed hands between licensees over the years, which is normal in an industry where these deals run on fixed contract terms.

Marchon Eyewear managed the Michael Kors eyewear line starting in 2005, producing frames and sunglasses under that earlier agreement for roughly a decade.

Luxottica signed a new exclusive ten year license with Michael Kors in April 2014, with the first Luxottica made collections launching in January 2015.

That partnership continued after Luxottica merged with Essilor in 2018 to form EssilorLuxottica, and the two companies renewed the eyewear license again in February 2024.

The renewed agreement took effect on January 1, 2025, runs for five years, and includes an option to extend for another five years after that.

So as of 2026, EssilorLuxottica remains the current, confirmed licensee responsible for designing, producing, and distributing Michael Kors prescription frames and sunglasses worldwide.

Who Owns Michael Kors? (Capri Holdings)

Michael Kors the brand is owned by Capri Holdings Limited, a publicly traded fashion group listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CPRI.

The company was originally named Michael Kors Holdings Limited before rebranding as Capri Holdings on January 2, 2019, after it acquired the Versace fashion house.

Capri Holdings previously owned three brands, Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo, operating them as separate luxury houses under one corporate parent.

That structure changed in December 2025, when Capri completed the sale of Versace to Prada S.p.A. for roughly 1.375 billion dollars in cash.

Capri has said it plans to use the proceeds to pay down debt and strengthen its balance sheet while focusing squarely on growing Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

Designer Michael Kors himself remains connected to the label as a founder figure and continues to influence the brand direction, even though the company is publicly owned and professionally managed.

None of this ownership structure changes who actually produces the sunglasses, since eyewear stays with EssilorLuxottica under the separate licensing agreement described above.

What Is Michael Kors’ Country of Origin?

Michael Kors as a brand originates in the United States, founded by American designer Michael Kors, who launched his womenswear label in New York in 1981.

That American origin applies to the brand identity and design direction, not necessarily to where every physical product gets manufactured.

Handbags, clothing, and footwear sold under the Michael Kors name are produced across a global supply chain that includes factories in Asia and Europe, similar to most contemporary fashion houses.

Eyewear specifically follows its own separate path through EssilorLuxottica, so a pair of Michael Kors sunglasses will typically carry a country of origin marking for Italy or China rather than the United States.

Checking the inside of the temple arm for a stamped country of origin is the most reliable way to know exactly where a specific pair was produced.

Are Michael Kors Sunglasses Made in Italy or China?

Both, depending on the collection, and this dual sourcing pattern is common across EssilorLuxottica licensed brands rather than unique to Michael Kors.

EssilorLuxottica operates significant manufacturing in northeastern Italy, in the Belluno and Cadore region, an area with a long established tradition of eyewear craftsmanship.

The company also runs large optical production facilities in China, including operations in Dongguan, which handle higher volume and more budget friendly eyewear lines.

Ray-Ban, another EssilorLuxottica licensed and owned brand, follows this same pattern, with premium models made in Italy and lower priced models made in China.

You can compare that approach in more detail in our guide to where Ray-Bans are made, which covers the same manufacturer.

EssilorLuxottica has not published an exact percentage split for Michael Kors specifically, so treat any single source claiming an exact ratio with some caution.

How to Tell if Michael Kors Sunglasses Are Authentic

No single feature proves a pair of Michael Kors sunglasses is genuine, so check several details together rather than relying on just one sign.

Start with the packaging, since authentic pairs ship with a branded hard case, a cleaning cloth, and an authenticity card or booklet with a matching style number.

Look at the temple arm for a laser etched or printed model number, along with a country of origin stamp reading Italy or China, since blank or missing markings are a red flag.

Examine the lenses closely, since genuine EssilorLuxottica production uses precise, evenly applied logo etching in a corner of the lens, not a smudged or crooked print.

Check the price against the retailer, because steep discounts on new season styles from unfamiliar third party sellers are one of the most common signs of counterfeit eyewear.

Buying directly from michaelkors.com, an authorized optical retailer, or a licensed department store remains the most reliable way to guarantee authenticity.

Are Michael Kors Sunglasses Good Quality? Are They Worth It?

Because EssilorLuxottica also produces Ray-Ban, Prada, and other well regarded eyewear brands, Michael Kors sunglasses generally benefit from the same manufacturing standards and quality control systems.

That means solid hinge construction, decent frame materials, and lenses that meet standard UV protection requirements across most Michael Kors sunglasses.

Michael Kors sits in the accessible luxury segment, so frames typically use standard acetate or metal rather than the premium materials found in higher tier designer eyewear.

It is worth noting that customer sentiment about the wider Michael Kors brand on review platforms has been mixed, reflecting complaints tied largely to customer service and online orders rather than eyewear manufacturing defects specifically.

The Better Business Bureau lists Michael Kors as not accredited with a low rating, driven mainly by unanswered complaints, which shoppers should weigh when deciding where to buy and how to handle returns.

For most buyers, Michael Kors sunglasses represent a reasonable middle ground: name recognition and licensed manufacturing quality at a lower price point than fully in house luxury eyewear brands.

This same licensing versus in house question comes up across the accessible luxury space, and our breakdown of where Coach bags are made shows how a direct competitor handles manufacturing differently for its core product category.

Michael Kors Customer Service & Where to Buy

The official source for new Michael Kors sunglasses is the brand’s own retail site, michaelkors.com, which lists current collections directly from the licensee.

Authorized optical retailers, including established eyewear chains and licensed department stores, also carry genuine Michael Kors frames and can fit prescription lenses.

For order issues, returns, or product questions, Michael Kors directs customers to its official online contact and help center rather than a single published phone number, since support channels vary by region.

Buying through an authorized channel also protects your ability to use the manufacturer warranty, which typically covers manufacturing defects for a limited period after purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Kors Sunglasses

Who currently makes Michael Kors sunglasses?

EssilorLuxottica currently makes Michael Kors sunglasses under an exclusive license renewed in February 2024 and effective from January 1, 2025 through at least 2030.

Are Michael Kors sunglasses made in the same factories as Ray-Ban?

Yes, in many cases, since both brands are produced by the same manufacturer, EssilorLuxottica, which operates shared facilities in Italy and China across its licensed portfolio.

Is Michael Kors a luxury or an accessible brand?

Michael Kors is generally categorized as accessible luxury, sitting below fully bespoke high fashion houses but above mass market brands in price and positioning.

Does Capri Holdings still own Michael Kors in 2026?

Yes, Capri Holdings Limited continues to own Michael Kors in 2026, now alongside Jimmy Choo, after selling Versace to Prada in December 2025.