After nearly 30 years under the LVMH umbrella, the Marc Jacobs label is changing hands. The French luxury conglomerate announced on Thursday that it has sold the American fashion house to WHP Global, a New York-based brand management company. Financial terms were not disclosed, but sources cited by the Wall Street Journal estimate the transaction at between $850 million (€726 million) and $1 billion (€854 million). The deal is expected to close before the end of the year.
Marc Jacobs, 63, will continue as creative director of the brand he founded. In an Instagram post, he said: "I remain committed to my role as creative director of Marc Jacobs International and look forward to this exciting new chapter." Before focusing on his own label, Jacobs served as artistic director of Louis Vuitton, LVMH's flagship house, for 16 years.
LVMH's Portfolio Rationalisation
The sale is part of a broader pattern of portfolio trimming at LVMH. In September 2024, the group sold Off-White, the streetwear label founded by Virgil Abloh, who also served as artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's collections until his death in 2021. The Marc Jacobs disposal had been rumoured since July, when the Wall Street Journal reported that LVMH was in talks with several potential buyers, including Authentic Brands Group and WHP Global, which was allied with holding company G-III.
Bernard Arnault, LVMH's chairman, paid tribute to Jacobs' "rare creativity and unique vision," adding that his "impact on the world of fashion is undeniable." WHP Global specialises in retail brand management and oversees a portfolio of around 15 labels, including Lotto, Vera Wang, G-Star, and Toys 'R' Us. The group generates annual revenues of more than $8.5 billion (€7.26 billion).
For European observers, the sale underscores a shifting dynamic in the luxury sector. LVMH, based in Paris, has long been the dominant force in European fashion, but its recent moves suggest a strategic focus on its core luxury houses. The Marc Jacobs brand, while iconic, had struggled to maintain the same cachet as LVMH's top-tier labels. The deal also highlights the growing influence of US brand management firms like WHP Global, which acquire and license brands rather than operate them directly.
The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals. For now, the Marc Jacobs label remains headquartered in New York, with its creative direction firmly in the hands of its founder.
