LVMH (the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group) has sold Off-White LLC, the owner of the Off-White brand, to Bluestar Alliance LLC, a New York-based brand management company. They own brands such as Hurley and Scotch & Soda. The two companies did not disclose the amount for which they completed this deal.
The information about the sale comes from Business of Fashion, where Lei Takanashi mentions more details about this deal. The sale of the company comes along with the brand’s need to regain the relevance it had under the leadership of Virgil Abloh, who passed away in 2021. At the moment, the company is in decline under the leadership of creative director Ib Kamara. According to BoF, the latest collections are the reason the brand’s original customers have become alienated. In recent years, several retail chains have stopped carrying the brand.
"Virgil was a creative pioneer who had a profound impact on the global fashion industry and creative community. Acquiring Off-White represents a unique opportunity for Bluestar Alliance to honor and build upon the enduring legacy of Virgil Abloh. His visionary approach to fashion resonates deeply with our core values. Abloh's ability to fuse street culture with high fashion has laid a powerful foundation that aligns with our vision of fostering innovation while embracing diversity."
The brand still has a licensing agreement with New Guards Group. They have the opportunity to terminate or renegotiate this agreement in 2026. Farfetch bought New Guards Group, Off-White’s parent company, in 2019. Later, in 2021, LVMH bought a majority stake of 60% in Off-White LLC.
“The acquisition of Off-White, and the opportunity to provide strategic, investment and build upon our global network of resources will allow for the continuation of the cultural and creative momentum that Virgil ignited, one that Bluestar Alliance is committed to carrying forward.”
Founded by Joseph Gabbay and Ralph Gindi in 2006, Bluestar Alliance owns, manages, and markets a portfolio of brands that spans multiple distribution tiers. The company places particular emphasis on retail brands sold in major department stores. Brands in its portfolio include Hurley, Scotch & Soda, Bebe, Elie Tahari, Kensie, Justice, Catherine Malandrino, Nanette Lepore, English Laundry, Brookstone, Joan Vass, and Limited Too.
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Vlad Ciutacu is a writer based in The Hague, Netherlands. He has been working in the footwear industry for more than a decade, with hundreds of pairs in his collection. His favourite models are the Air Jordan 1 and the Nike SB Dunk Low Pro. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
