Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior owner LVMH has agreed to divest fashion label Marc Jacobs to brand management company WHP Global and apparel company G-III in a transaction valued at $850m.
Each buyer will invest $425m to acquire an equal stake in the brand.
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Established in 1984 by designer Marc Jacobs and US businessman Robert Duffy, the brand spans eyewear, footwear, fragrance, handbags, and small leather goods across retail and wholesale channels worldwide.
LVMH had first acquired a majority interest in the label in 1997, the same year Jacobs joined Louis Vuitton as creative director.
Jacobs will remain as founder and creative director following completion, retaining responsibility for the brand’s creative direction, runway collections and fashion shows.
He said: “I am forever grateful to Bernard Arnault for his support, belief and trust in me over the last 30 years. It has been an honour and a 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.”
The transaction is structured around a newly formed joint venture, MJ Topco (IPCo), which will acquire all outstanding units of Marc Jacobs through its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Majestic AcqCo.
IPCo will retain the brand’s intellectual property and related assets, with WHP Global and G-III each holding a 50% interest.
G-III will separately acquire and run the Marc Jacobs operating business, covering retail stores, e-commerce and wholesale distribution, under a long-term exclusive licence from IPCo.
The licence covers the US, Canada, Mexico and Western Europe across various categories, including apparel, handbags, footwear, accessories and luggage, through wholesale, retail and e-commerce channels.
With a portfolio that includes Karl Lagerfeld and licences for several other fashion labels, G-III will fund its approximately $500m share of the deal through existing cash and borrowings under its revolving credit facility.
IPCo will be governed by a five-member board, with three seats allocated to WHP Global and two to G-III.
WHP Global’s portfolio, which includes Vera Wang, rag & bone and G-STAR, is expected to exceed $9.5bn in global retail sales once Marc Jacobs is incorporated.
The deal remains subject to regulatory and antitrust clearances and is expected to close in G-III’s fiscal third quarter of 2027.
LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said: “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.”
