Kontoor Brands, Inc. reports developments for a lifestyle apparel portfolio built around Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen. Company news centers on operating and financial results, regular cash dividends, capital-structure updates and governance matters, as well as product collaborations and capsule collections that extend its denim, outdoor, workwear, footwear and accessory categories.
Updates also cover leadership responsibilities across finance, operations, brand management and investor relations. The company sells through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels in the United States and international regions, and its news reflects the commercial activity of its Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen segments.
Kontoor Brands (KTB), through Wrangler, launched a denim collection with imogene + willie on September 26, 2026.
The first of three releases features selvedge denim in Wrangler's vintage 10MWZ model, made with Cone Mills White Oak deadstock fabric. The October 24 release is set to include broken-twill jackets, shirts and jeans developed with Mount Vernon Mills, alongside graphic tees, sweatshirts and accessories. The November 7 release is set to add deadstock denim styles in western cuts, including a rigid western snap. Prices range from $48 to $350. The first release is available on Wrangler.com and through imogene + willie in stores and online.
Kontoor Brands (KTB) elected Jamie Caulfield and Michael Skipworth to its board, effective September 23, 2026.
The appointments increase the board’s size from seven to nine directors. Caulfield most recently served as PepsiCo’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, after more than 30 years with the company. Skipworth is Wingstop’s president and chief executive officer and previously served as its president and chief operating officer. Both new directors will serve on Kontoor’s Audit Committee.
Wrangler (KTB) is launching the limited-run Blue Bell Collection, its most premium men’s line to date, debuting in September 2026 and inspired by the brand’s western workwear heritage and Blue Bell roots.
The capsule features archival silhouettes upgraded with raw Japanese selvedge denim, hand-crafted leather, full-grain suede, plush shearling, and Wrangler’s “7 Icons” details. Signature pieces include a Cowboy Cut Raw Selvedge Jean, a Leather Aviator Jacket, a Cowboy Cut Suede Jean, and a Suede Shearling Wrangle Coat. The Fall26 collection is positioned for denim enthusiasts and premium consumers, with prices ranging from $399.99 to $1,399.99, and initial availability on Wrangler.com from September 16.
Genesco (GCO) launched its new Wrangler footwear collection on September 15, 2026, under a multiyear licensing agreement with Kontoor Brands’ Wrangler label (KTB). The Fall 2026 line extends Wrangler’s Western-inspired heritage into men’s, women’s and children’s footwear across Western, work and casual lifestyle categories.
The collection debuts on Wrangler.com, with select U.S. retailers to follow later in the season. Retail prices range from $100 to $240. Genesco describes Wrangler as a growth platform for Genesco Brands Group, which focuses on licensed lifestyle footwear. The assortment uses premium materials such as full-grain leather and denim, and certain work styles meet ASTM safety-toe and slip- and oil-resistant standards.
Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB) outlined Helly Hansen’s long-term growth strategy and 2030 financial targets, to be detailed at Helly Hansen Investor Day on September 2, 2026. The plan aims to scale Helly Hansen globally and increase profitability.
The strategy rests on three pillars: supercharge the U.S. through wholesale and direct-to-consumer expansion, win in premium outdoor by extending beyond wintersports and sailing into adjacent technical categories, and power workwear by expanding a profitable European workwear business into North America.
Kontoor Brands set 2030 targets for Helly Hansen of revenue above $1.1 billion (about 10% CAGR from $675 million FY25 pro-forma revenue), gross margin in the mid- to high-50% range, operating margin in the mid-teens%, and cumulative cash generation over $500 million. FY25 pro-forma net revenues combine $459.7 million GAAP revenue for seven months post-acquisition with $215.4 million for the five months prior to ownership.
Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB) announced the appointment of C.J. King as General Manager, Helly Hansen, North America, Sport, effective August 31. King will lead all aspects of Helly Hansen’s North America Sport business, including commercial strategy and marketplace execution, reporting to Senior Vice President and Global Head Børre Hegbom.
According to Kontoor Brands, King joins from Arc’teryx, where he held senior commercial and general management roles over the past decade, and previously held leadership positions at Smartwool, PEARL iZUMi and The North Face, bringing extensive outdoor and sport performance brand experience.
Lee (NYSE:KTB) launched the limited-edition Lee x Marilyn Monroe™ capsule honoring Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. Inspired by Eve Arnold’s photos of Monroe in Lee’s Storm Rider™ jacket, the global collection includes jackets, dresses, jeans, tops, tees and sweatshirts, priced from $47.99 to $187.99 USD.
Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB) appointed Joseph A. Alkire as President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Alkire will retain his global responsibilities for the Helly Hansen® brand, add oversight of the Wrangler® brand, and continue leading the company’s global operations while reporting to CEO and Chairman Scott Baxter.
Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB) reported second quarter 2026 revenue from continuing operations of $584 million, up 19% year over year, driven by $114 million from Helly Hansen and 2% growth in Wrangler. Adjusted gross margin rose 710 basis points to 53.8% and reported gross margin reached 56.2%.
Adjusted operating income was $94 million, up 19%, with a 16% adjusted operating margin. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.06, up 13%, including a $0.06 loss per share from Helly Hansen. The company repurchased $50 million of stock at $74 per share and returned $80 million to shareholders in the quarter.
Kontoor raised its full-year 2026 outlook, keeping revenue at $2.66–$2.71 billion but lifting adjusted EPS to $5.25–$5.35 and adjusted gross margin to 49.8–50.0%. The Lee business divestiture remains on track for the fourth quarter, with plans to deploy $400 million of expected proceeds into an accelerated share repurchase and use remaining proceeds for voluntary debt repayment. Management expects to return over $900 million of capital in 2026, including dividends, share repurchases and voluntary debt payments.
Wrangler, part of Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB), has partnered with fashion label LoveShackFancy on a new, limited-edition 19-piece women's denim collection blending western heritage with romantic, vintage-inspired styling. The capsule includes jeans, bustier tops, denim jackets, dresses, overalls, tees, and sweatshirts featuring florals, lace, bows, and collaboration-specific prints and hardware.
The collection will debut in person at LoveShackFancy's new Birmingham boutique at The Summit on July 31, with a ribbon cutting and “Country Fair” shopping event, and will officially launch on August 5 on Wrangler.com, LoveShackFancy.com, and in LoveShackFancy retail stores nationwide, with prices from $79 to $239.