Lucky Brand
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Lucky Brand is a Los Angeles denim and casualwear brand founded in 1990 by Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman. After a July 2020 bankruptcy filing it was acquired by Authentic Brands Group, according to Wikipedia.
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (per Wikipedia) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, United States |
| Segment | Denim and casualwear |
| Website | luckybrand.com |
What is Lucky Brand?
Lucky Brand is an American denim and casualwear label founded in 1990 in Vernon, California, by Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman. Since 2012 its headquarters have been in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.
Ownership history
- December 2013: Leonard Green & Partners bought the brand from Fifth & Pacific for 225 million US dollars, according to Wikipedia.
- July 2020: the company filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Authentic Brands Group.
- The same page also states that SPARC Group acquired Lucky in 2020 and that SPARC merged with JCPenney in 2025 to form Catalyst Brands. It does not reconcile this with the Authentic Brands Group account, so the operating arrangement should be treated as unconfirmed.
Products and positioning
Denim is described as about 60% of the business. The range also includes activewear, outerwear, T-shirts, professional attire and childrenswear for infants up to age 10, plus Made in America jeans. Lucky sits in the mid-market segment.
Business model and distribution
- About 150 company-owned stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Europe, per Wikipedia.
- Department stores including Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Belk and Dillard's, plus Buckle.
- David Jones stores in the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
- All Canadian Lucky stores were slated to close after the April 2024 Ted Baker Canada filing.
Why it matters
Lucky Brand is a well-known example of a Californian denim label that moved from founder-led growth to private equity ownership and then to a brand-licensing structure after bankruptcy, a path shared by several US mid-market apparel brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Lucky Brand?
According to Wikipedia, Authentic Brands Group acquired Lucky Brand after its July 2020 bankruptcy filing. The same page also mentions SPARC Group, so the exact operating structure is unconfirmed.
Where is Lucky Brand from?
Lucky Brand is from the United States. It was founded in Vernon, California, in 1990 and is based in downtown Los Angeles.