NEW YORK, May 14, 2026, 19:04 EDT
LVMH is offloading Marc Jacobs to WHP Global, wrapping up almost thirty years with the brand and paving the way for joint control alongside G-III Apparel Group. Marc Jacobs stays on as founder and creative director post-deal, according to both companies.
Timing’s crucial here. LVMH is cutting back with luxury demand wobbling and its Fashion & Leather Goods segment posting a 2% organic drop in Q1. Yet, group revenue still came in at €19.1 billion, eking out 1% organic growth.
The deal lines up with LVMH’s broader efforts to streamline its far-flung businesses. According to Financial Times reporting republished by CNA, the French luxury giant has weighed selling assets in fashion, beauty, and also wine and spirits. Bernstein’s Luca Solca noted the company is scrutinizing underperformers—anything that’s “not performing” or “dragging on margins.” CNA Luxury
Neither LVMH nor WHP revealed how much changed hands in the sale. G-III Holdings, for its part, put its planned investment at roughly $500 million—money it aims to source from existing cash plus draws on its revolving credit line, according to the company.
The new setup splits things up: WHP and G-III are teaming up in a 50/50 joint venture to hold Marc Jacobs’ intellectual property—the legal rights to the brand and related assets. G-III, for its part, is set to buy and operate the global business. Licensing stays under WHP’s control, with the company overseeing agreements where other firms pay to put the brand on their products or sell it in stores.
With the deal, WHP now adds a bigger fashion pillar to its lineup, joining Vera Wang, rag & bone, and G-STAR. G-III’s roster features DKNY, Donna Karan, and Karl Lagerfeld, plus it holds licenses for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Levi’s.
Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO at LVMH, described Jacobs as “a designer of rare creativity and unique vision,” adding that this phase ought to unlock “new avenues of opportunity” for the brand. Jacobs, for his part, said he’s staying on as creative director. PR Newswire
Morris Goldfarb, chairman and CEO of G-III, called Marc Jacobs “one of the most influential names in fashion,” framing the acquisition as part of G-III’s effort to expand its lineup of global brands. GlobeNewswire
Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy started the label back in 1984. Fast forward to 1997: LVMH snapped up a majority stake, just as Jacobs stepped in as Louis Vuitton’s first creative director. That move landed the American designer a coveted role at Europe’s luxury titan.
Execution is where the challenge lies. G-III expects the deal to weigh on earnings in the first year post-close, only turning accretive after that. The company also flagged hurdles around regulatory clearance, fluctuations in customer demand, retail operations, potential issues with licensed products, and integration expenses.
The transaction still needs regulatory approval and the usual closing hurdles. LVMH and WHP see the deal wrapping before year-end, but G-III is pointing to its fiscal third quarter of 2027 for completion.
LVMH ended the day up 1.89% in Paris, finishing at €460.85. Over in New York, G-III picked up 1.09% to $29.75.
