Luxury giant explores offloading iconic fashion label.
The world’s leading luxury group LVMH is in talks to sell the Marc Jacobs fashion house, potentially realising over $1 billion in proceeds amid sliding sales across its fashion division.
According to The Wall Street Journal, LVMH has been weighing options since last year and is now engaging with suitors including Reebok owner Authentic Brands Group (which also owns brands such as Champion, Quiksilver and Nautic), Bluestar Alliance and WHP Global. Any transaction would mark a rare divestment for the Paris‑based conglomerate, which boasts over eighty luxury marques.
Founded by American designer Marc Jacobs in 1984, the eponymous label joined LVMH’s portfolio in 1997 when Jacobs became Louis Vuitton’s head designer and the group took a stake in the brand. Despite the label’s global recognition — especially in handbags and ready‑to‑wear — LVMH’s broader fashion and leather goods division saw revenue fall 9 percent in Q2 (to €19.5 billion group‑wide, down 4 percent on a like‑for‑like basis).
In 2016, the group sold DKNY’s parent company for $650 million, and more recently parted with stakes in Off‑White and Stella McCartney. Marc Jacobs operates 280 stores worldwide and employs 1,300 people.
