Marc Jacobs
WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group (50/50 joint venture) · United States
Marc Jacobs is the New York fashion brand founded by designer Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy. Owned by LVMH from 1997, it was sold in 2026 to a 50/50 joint venture of brand manager WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group, with Jacobs remaining creative director.
| Founded | 1984, New York |
|---|---|
| Founders | Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy |
| Owner | WHP Global and G-III (50/50, since 2026) |
| Previous owner | LVMH (1997 to 2026) |
| Headquarters | New York, United States |
| Creative director | Marc Jacobs |
| Website | marcjacobs.com |
What is Marc Jacobs?
Marc Jacobs is an American designer brand spanning women's ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories and licensed fragrance. Since 2026 it has been owned by a 50/50 joint venture of WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group, which bought it from LVMH for about 925 million US dollars. Founder Marc Jacobs remains creative director.
History
Marc Jacobs and his business partner Robert Duffy started the company in the mid-1980s, with the first collection under the Marc Jacobs label shown in 1986. Jacobs became famous for his 1992 grunge collection. LVMH bought a majority stake in 1997, when Jacobs also became the first creative director of Louis Vuitton. The diffusion line Marc by Marc Jacobs ran from 2001 to 2015, and the Daisy fragrance launched with Coty in 2007. The Heaven line followed in 2020. In 2026 LVMH sold the brand, ending almost three decades of ownership.
Products and positioning
Marc Jacobs sits between designer and premium. Runway collections in New York support a commercial business led by handbags, including The Tote Bag, small leather goods and accessories. Fragrance and eyewear have long been produced under licence, with Coty and Safilo respectively.
Business model and distribution
Under the new structure, WHP Global leads the brand and its licensing, while G-III acquired the operating business and runs wholesale, retail and e-commerce. According to Modaes, the operating business, focused on the United States and Europe, includes more than 100 stores, and the partners plan to grow wholesale and add new licences.
Why it matters
The sale is one of the clearest signs of luxury conglomerates trimming smaller brands, and of brand management firms buying established designer names. It moves Marc Jacobs from a luxury group model towards a licensing and wholesale-led model.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Marc Jacobs now?
Since 2026 Marc Jacobs has been owned by a 50/50 joint venture of WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group. They bought the brand from LVMH for about 925 million US dollars.
Is Marc Jacobs still part of LVMH?
No. LVMH owned Marc Jacobs from 1997 and completed its sale to WHP Global and G-III in 2026. Marc Jacobs himself remains creative director.