G-III Apparel Group announced it signed a definitive agreement with WHP Global to jointly own the intellectual property of the Marc Jacobs brand through a newly formed 50/50 joint venture, following WHP Global’s acquisition of the brand from LVMH.
Under the agreement, G-III will acquire and manage the global Marc Jacobs operating business, while WHP Global will oversee licensing operations. The transaction adds another globally recognized luxury fashion label to G-III’s portfolio as the company continues expanding its premium and lifestyle brand strategy.
Founded in 1984, Marc Jacobs has become one of the fashion industry’s most recognizable brands, known for blending luxury fashion with contemporary design across handbags, footwear, ready-to-wear apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and leather goods. The brand maintains a worldwide retail footprint through company-operated stores, wholesale partnerships, and its e-commerce platform.
LVMH said it has served as a steward of the Marc Jacobs brand since acquiring a majority stake in 1997, helping expand the label’s global presence and cultural influence over nearly three decades. The luxury conglomerate credited the Marc Jacobs team for helping create many of the brand’s most commercially successful products and enduring fashion moments.
Following the closing of the transaction, Marc Jacobs will continue serving as Founder and Creative Director, maintaining oversight of the brand’s creative vision, runway collections, and fashion shows.
Morris Goldfarb said the acquisition reinforces G-III’s strategy of building a diversified portfolio of iconic fashion brands.
Goldfarb noted that LVMH had been a strong steward of the Marc Jacobs brand and said G-III plans to leverage its global platform and premium brand portfolio to accelerate transformation efforts and drive long-term shareholder value.
The Marc Jacobs acquisition will also strengthen WHP Global’s premium fashion portfolio, which already includes brands such as Vera Wang, rag & bone, and G-STAR. WHP Global said the addition of Marc Jacobs will increase the company’s global retail sales footprint to more than $9.5 billion.
Under the transaction structure, G-III and WHP Global will establish a joint venture that retains ownership of Marc Jacobs intellectual property following WHP Global’s acquisition of the brand. G-III will then acquire the operating business from the joint venture and enter into a long-term licensing agreement.
G-III said it will fund its approximately $500 million investment using cash on hand and borrowings from its revolving credit facility. The company expects the transaction to be dilutive during the first 12 months after closing, with accretion anticipated afterward.
The transaction is expected to close during G-III’s fiscal third quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. WHP Global separately said its acquisition of Marc Jacobs from LVMH is expected to close before the end of the year.
UBS served as financial advisor to G-III, while Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison acted as legal advisor.
For WHP Global, Morgan Stanley served as financial advisor and Gibson Dunn acted as legal advisor. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding also provided committed debt financing to support the acquisition.
G-III Apparel Group currently owns brands including DKNY, Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, and Vilebrequin, while also licensing brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Champion, and Converse.
KEY QUOTES:
“Marc Jacobs is one of the most influential names in fashion. This transaction underscores our long-standing commitment to building a diversified portfolio of iconic, globally relevant brands. LVMH has been an exceptional steward of the brand, and we look forward to working with the Marc Jacobs team to build on that strong foundation. With our portfolio of premium brands and backed by our powerful global platform, this opportunity accelerates our transformation efforts and positions us to drive long-term shareholder value.”
Morris Goldfarb, Chairman and CEO, G-III Apparel Group
“I am forever grateful to Bernard Arnault for his support, belief and trust in me over the last 30 years. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside the Arnault Family and LVMH. I remain committed in my role as Creative Director of Marc Jacobs International and look forward to this bright new chapter.”
Marc Jacobs, Founder and Creative Director, Marc Jacobs
“Marc Jacobs is a designer of rare creativity and unique vision. His impact on the world of fashion is undeniable, and I want to warmly thank him for his contribution to the success of the Maison and the LVMH Group over the last 30 years. I am confident that this new chapter will offer new avenues of opportunity for Marc Jacobs, that the brand and its designer will continue to inspire customers and creators around the world.”
Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO, LVMH
