Carl Marks Securities LLC acted as investment banker and chief restructuring advisor to denim retailer Joe’s Jeans Inc. in the completion of the merger of the Hudson jeans brand and the Robert Graham fashion brand.
The combined company has been renamed Differential Brands Group, Inc. (“Differential”). It will remain publicly listed on NASDAQ under the ticker DFBG. This name change highlights the transformation of the Hudson Jeans and Robert Graham businesses into a unified consumer platform, with plans to further grow the new company organically as well as opportunistically via accretive acquisitions of complementary, premium brands.
“The successful merger of Hudson Jeans and Robert Graham completes the second of two transactions designed to transform Joe’s Jeans and create a platform for growth,” said Evan Tomaskovic, CEO of Carl Marks Securities. “We are pleased that our firm’s combined investment banking and operating experience, as well as our creative and strategic thinking, has proven to be an asset in driving a positive outcome for a midmarket business needing to reposition itself for the future,” said Mark Claster, President of Carl Marks Securities.
“We thank the Carl Marks Advisors team for the great work they have done in driving a successful outcome for the Company and our shareholders,” added Sam Furrow, Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer at Joe's Jeans Inc. “Their strategic advice and transactional experience were key contributor to our efforts.”
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP acted as legal counsel to Joe’s Jeans, with a team led by Russell W. Parks Jr. and Erica D. McGrady.