ACI Licensing and Established Incorporated have set up a strategic joint venture to acquire and manage four fashion and lifestyle brands — Badgley Mischka, Rachel Rachel Roy, C&C California and Kay Unger Design. Cascadia is advising Badgley Mischka on its acquisition.
ACI Licensing And Established Incorporated Acquire Badgley Mischka. Image: Badgley Mischka
As part of the deal, Houston-based Established Incorporated will maintain 51 percent and ACI Licensing will hold 49 percent, of the joint venture. The joint venture has secured complete ownership of the Badgley Mischka, C&C California, and Kay Unger intellectual property, and a 71 percent stake in the Rachel Rachel Roy brand.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone for Established as we diversify into the premium lifestyle sector,” said Hall O’Donnell, CEO of Established. “Together with ACI, we’re positioned to unlock the full potential of these iconic brands by combining our brand revitalisation expertise with ACI’s proven manufacturing and licensing capabilities.”
Andy Cohan and Charles Mamiye, Principals at ACI Licensing, added: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Established in this new venture. This partnership allows us to build on our legacy with the operational expertise and global reach needed to take these brands to the next level.”
ACI, which is headquartered in LA and has offices in New York, will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the portfolio and maintain existing relationships with manufacturers and retailers. Badgley Mischka’s cofounders and designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka are said to have exited the company that they started in New York City thirty-seven years ago. Although the two designers are not affiliated with the new venture, they will continue to appear on HSN through their affiliation with the Badgley Mischka dress licensee MJCLK, founded in 2008 by the designers and Christine Currence, Lara Piropato and Kimberly Lee-Siu as apparel licensee for the Badgley Mischka brand.
“It was an honour to advise Badgley Mischka, one of the most iconic and enduring names in red-carpet fashion,” said William Susman, Managing Director at Cascadia Capital. “Few brands are as synonymous with glamour and elegance, from Hollywood to New York. With the support of ACI–Established, Badgley Mischka is well-positioned to expand its product offerings and distribution while staying true to its rich brand heritage.”
About Badgley Mischka
Fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka made their mark over the past three decades with glamorous and wearable evening wear and accessories. There is a unique synergy between the duo, who met while studying at Parsons School of Design in New York. They share a similar aesthetic about apparel and the way people dress. Both men spent time designing for leading names — Mark for Donna Karan and James for WilliWear WilliSmith — before starting their own line.
Mark and James joined forces to launch Badgley Mischka in 1988 and since the beginning Badgley Mischka has captivated the fashion press and prominent retailers with their sophisticated style that caters to a younger, modern couture customer. They have remained true to this design philosophy and the consistent integrity of their collections. Their timeless designs appeal to power women including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Mark and James’ designs are constructed of the finest fabrics and superior craftsmanship. There is always an element of interest, either in the silhouette or with luxurious detail. They have remained true to this design philosophy, and the consistent integrity of their collections has pushed them to the forefront of fashion.”Our style harks back to the glamorous Hollywood of the Forties,” says James. “The Badgley Mischka signature style is simple, streamlined and thoroughly elegant.”
“One zip and you’re glamorous!” says Mark. “We like to keep things effortless. It’s fabulous if you can spend hours getting ready, but a woman should also be able to bring a dress to work and change there for an evening out.” Badgley Mischka is sold in the most prestigious stores in the world, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, in addition to the Badgley Mischka flagship boutique in Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit www.badgleymischka.com..
The luxury fashion brand has changed hands a few times. In 1993, Escada became Badgley Mischka’s parent company. More than a decade later, in 2004, the Iconix Brand Group bought the New York-based company from Escada. In 2016, together with their longtime footwear licensee, Titan Industries Inc., which is headed by Joe Ouaknine, and MJCLK, the designers bought back the company from Iconix Brand Group.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
