In federal trial, Michael Kors says it's harder to sell handbags in TikTok and Taylor Swift era

NEW YORK CITY — In a federal courtroom on Monday, storied fashion designer Michael Kors spoke about the steep challenge of staying relevant in a world where brands can rise and fall based on viral TikTok videos and photos of handbags on the arms of celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

Kors kicked off the week of testimony in the antitrust trial in Manhattan as a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit seeks to block Tapestry's $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri. The deal, if approved, would put six fashion brands under a single company: Tapestry's Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, with Capri's Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors. 

The FTC on Monday called Kors, who founded his namesake brand in 1981 at age 22 and still serves as its chief creative director, to testify. Yet, in his remarks, Kors described how even legacy brands like his own can struggle and lose shoppers' interest.

"Sometimes you'll be the hottest thing on the block," he said. "Sometimes you'll be lukewarm. Sometimes you'll be cold."

He acknowledged that his namesake label has fallen from favor and needs a refresh.

"I think we've reached the point of brand fatigue," he said.

The FTC has argued that the combined companies, particularly with Coach and Michael Kors under the same owner, would create a bag behemoth with the power to hike prices for customers while offering them the same or worse products.

Attorneys for Tapestry and Capri, on the other hand, have questioned the FTC's depictions of a consolidated handbag market. They have said competition has grown as customers consider both pricier luxury brands and lower-priced fast-fashion names, and can shop from online-only platforms and secondhand marketplaces.

The trial comes as consumers balk at high