Authentic Brands Group Takes GUESS? Private

Authentic Brands Group & SPARC Group Acquire Eddie Bauer

May 7, 2021

Retail

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and SPARC Group have agreed to purchase Eddie Bauer from PSEB Group, an operating company owned by Golden Gate Capital. ABG will own Eddie Bauer's intellectual property while the brand's core operating business will be integrated into SPARC's portfolio; Eddie Bauer will remain headquartered in the Seattle area under current President Damien Huang. The deal (expected to close by June 1, 2021) is intended to expand the brand's global reach and accelerate omnichannel and e‑commerce growth; no financial terms were disclosed.

Authentic Brands Group and ALDO Group Acquire Sperry from Wolverine World Wide

January 11, 2024

Consumer Products

Authentic Brands Group has acquired the Sperry footwear brand in a transaction that closed January 10, 2024, with the ALDO Group joining as Sperry's North American operating partner. Wolverine World Wide sold the brand for proceeds of about $130 million to strengthen its balance sheet; Authentic will convert Sperry to a licensed model while ALDO will operate Sperry's wholesale, e-commerce and store operations in North America.

Guess?, Inc. and WHP Global Acquire rag & bone

February 16, 2024

Consumer Products

Guess?, Inc. and WHP Global have completed the acquisition of New York–based fashion brand rag & bone. Guess? acquired all operating assets (and, together with WHP Global, will jointly own rag & bone's intellectual property); Guess? contributed approximately $57.1 million at close (earlier terms disclosed a $56.5 million contribution plus up to $12.8 million potential earnout). rag & bone will remain based in New York and will leverage Guess?'s global distribution and WHP's brand-management capabilities to pursue growth.

G-III Apparel Group Acquires Remaining 81% of KARL LAGERFELD

June 2, 2022

Consumer Products

G-III Apparel Group completed the acquisition of the remaining 81% interest in the KARL LAGERFELD brand for €200 million (approximately $214 million), purchasing the stake from a group of private and public investors led by Fred Gehring of Amlon Capital BV. The transaction, funded with cash on hand, makes KARL LAGERFELD wholly owned by subsidiaries of G-III, further expanding G-III's portfolio of owned fashion brands and global retail/wholesale presence.

Creative Artists Agency Acquires Full Ownership of CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group

April 7, 2022

Marketing & Advertising

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has acquired full ownership of the business of CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group (previously a 2016 JV with Global Brands Group), launching an integrated CAA Brand Management division. The unit — led by Perry Wolfman and Noah Gelbart and employing more than 160 people across 17 countries — will be folded into CAA's operations; financial terms were not disclosed.

Marquee Brands Acquires Laura Ashley from Gordon Brothers

January 4, 2025

Consumer Products

Marquee Brands, a global brand accelerator, has acquired Laura Ashley from Gordon Brothers and will retain the brand's UK-based team while opening its first European headquarters in London. The deal expands Marquee Brands' portfolio of lifestyle and fashion brands, increases its global retail value to over $4 billion, and positions Laura Ashley for broader international distribution through Marquee's licensing and retail networks.