Los Angeles Denim House to Be Taken Private in Deal That Adds $6 Billion in Sales to Authentic’s Portfolio
Never one to stay on the sidelines, Jamie Salter, Founder and CEO of Authentic Brands Group, has struck again—this time acquiring a controlling interest in Guess, the Los Angeles denim brand founded in 1981. The deal edges out rival WHP Global, which had previously made a $13-a-share bid in March to take the company private.
Authentic will take a 51 percent stake in a newly created entity that will own and license nearly all of Guess’ intellectual property and product licensing agreements. The remaining 49 percent will be held by Guess cofounders Maurice and Paul Marciano, Nicolai Marciano, and CEO Carlos Alberini.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, will add approximately $6 billion in global retail sales to Authentic’s platform—making Guess its second-largest brand after Reebok—and bringing total retail sales across Authentic’s portfolio to $38 billion worldwide.
As part of the deal structure, Guess and its subsidiaries will be taken private and remain wholly owned by the existing management team. The company will continue to operate under its current leadership and structure, according to a statement from Authentic.
“Guess is a powerhouse brand that has defined style and culture for over 40 years,” said Salter. “We have tremendous respect for the Marcianos and their team, who have built an innovative, heritage-rich brand with incredible global reach and an established ecosystem of partners. We are excited to build on this legacy in partnership with them as Guess enters its next chapter within our platform.”
Matt Maddox, President of Authentic, added that the acquisition positions the company for global expansion. “Guess’ international scale and market strength create a runway to accelerate Authentic’s growth around the world. This acquisition expands our presence in existing markets, opens doors to new ones and builds on a brand platform with a proven record of success.”
Founded in Los Angeles, Guess became a global fashion force with its stonewashed, slim-fit jeans and high-profile ad campaigns featuring the original “Guess Girls” like Claudia Schiffer and Anna Nicole Smith. The brand now operates in roughly 100 countries with a retail and licensing network that includes 1,600 stores globally—more than 1,000 of which are directly managed.
Authentic said it plans to further expand Guess into new categories and markets while reactivating its extensive archives. The brand is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by Gen Z’s affinity for secondhand fashion, nostalgia, and the rediscovery of archival styles—an opportunity Authentic is eager to capitalize on.