Cao Qifeng

Silas Chou (born 1946) is a Hong Kong and U.S. industrialist and philanthropist, renowned in the global fashion and apparel industry.

Early life

Silas Chou is of Ningbo origin (Yin County, now Yinzhou District, Zhejiang). He was born in Hong Kong into the Cao family; his father was textile tycoon Cao Guangbiao. His siblings include sister Qizhen and brother Qiyong.

Career

In 1969 Chou moved alone to Portugal and founded a wool mill in Lisbon. By the 1980s he had come to dominate Portugal’s wool industry and made Portugal his home, marrying and raising a family there.

In 1989 he acquired a controlling stake in Tommy Hilfiger and, together with Canadian fashion investor Lawrence Stroll, co‑led the publicly traded Sportswear Holdings, revitalizing major brands.

During the 1990s he invested in Tommy Hilfiger Asia, Karl Lagerfeld, Pepe Jeans, and other top fashion labels. He founded Iconix China Ltd., expanding aggressively into mainland China.

In November 2011 his largest holding, Michael Kors, went public; its share price rose 75% on debut. By early 2012 the company’s market capitalization exceeded $9 billion; by early 2013 it surpassed $11 billion, overtaking heritage brand Burberry.

In 2012 Chou sponsored China exchange events for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and acquired a $50 million penthouse at One57 in New York City.

Family

• Father: Cao Guangbiao, one of Forbes Hong Kong’s top ten richest in the 1990s.
• Sister: Qizhen Chou, former president of Macau’s Legislative Assembly.
• Children: Two sons, Luis and Bruno, who co‑founded Novel TMT Ventures under Novel Group; two daughters, both prominent in fashion. Elder daughter Veronica Chou manages Iconix China Ltd. and in November 2012 married entrepreneur Evgeny Klyucharev. Younger daughter Vivian Chou is a U.S. fashion entrepreneur.

Honors

• Recognized by The Business of Fashion as a key promoter of China’s fashion industry.