CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
MajorsJul 09, 2020
Brooks Brothers Latest Retailer To File Chapter 11
The 202-year-old company, known for its classic suits, owns the Alexis Bittar and Carolee jewelry brands.
Brooks Brothers, which owns Alexis Bittar and Carolee, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday. Pictured here are Carolee earrings from the fashion jewelry brand’s fall 2018 collection.
New York—Long hurt by Casual Fridays and hampered by COVID-19 in its efforts to find a buyer, Brooks Brothers and its fashion jewelry subsidiary have filed for bankruptcy protection.
The 202-year-old company, known for its stylish suits and preppy casuals, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, with the goals of obtaining new financing and quickly finding a buyer.
“Like countless other retail companies, Brooks Brothers’ business has been impacted by significant operational and manufacturing challenges, as well as shifting retail industry trends in recent years,” said the retailer’s Chief Restructuring Officer Stephen Marotta of Ankura Consulting Group LLC in an affidavit filed Wednesday.
In 2019, Brooks Brothers began looking for a buyer or a merger opportunity but the onset of COVID-19 derailed that effort, making the storied-but-struggling retailer the latest to seek protection under Chapter 11.
“Our priority is to start this important chapter with a new owner that has appreciation for the Brooks Brothers legacy, a vision for its future, and aligns with our core values and culture,” Chairman and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio said in a company statement.
“Seeking protection to facilitate an efficient sale of the business is the best next step for the company to achieve its goals, over any other alternative.”
Brooks Brothers said it has secured commitments from investment company WHP Global for $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing, a type of financing extended to companies in distress overseen by the lender and subject to court approval.
The financing together with cash flows from ongoing operations will support it through the sale process, said the company.
The retailer is going to hold an auction where parties can submit qualified bids, and said it expects to complete the sale process in the next few months, pending court approval.
To our loyal customers. pic.twitter.com/OcAqFbu8v2
— Brooks Brothers (@BrooksBrothers) July 8, 2020
Filing alongside Brooks Brothers Group Inc. was jewelry subsidiary Deconic Group LLC, which manufactures, merchandises, markets, sells and licenses the Alexis Bittar and Carolee fashion jewelry brands.
The brands are sold online, at stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, and through nine retail stores located in the Northeast, Midwest and in California. Deconic also leases an office and manufacturing facility in Brooklyn’s Industry City development and a showroom in Manhattan.
Brooks Brothers acquired Carolee LLC in 2001 and, under Carolee, Alexis Bittar in 2016. It overhauled its fashion jewelry business in 2017, relaunching as Deconic.
Deconic brought in approximately $15 million in
revenue for the fiscal year 2019, accounting for less than 2 percent of overall sales for Brooks Brothers, court papers show.
Asked about the future of Deconic, a company spokesperson noted the bankruptcy filing is “a sale process, not a liquidation of Brooks Brothers or Deconic’s brands.”
“Deconic will continue to do business as usual for the time being [and] we do not expect this to interrupt our ability to deliver the brands Alexis Bittar and Carolee,” the spokesperson said.
RELATED CONTENT: The Latest on the Neiman Marcus, JC Penney Bankruptcies
Founded in 1818 as H. & D.H. Brooks & Co. in New York, Brooks Brothers is the oldest apparel company in the United States, it noted in the bankruptcy filing.
The company operates about 425 retail and factory outlet stores worldwide, including 236 in the United States.
Like so many retailers, it closed nearly all of its stores when the pandemic hit and furloughed 2,900 of its 4,025 employees worldwide.
It said Wednesday that 51 of its 236 U.S. stores, or 22 percent, have closed or are in the process of closing permanently, while the others will reopen “as local and state public health and government officials allow and as it is economical to do so.”
Asked about the future of Deconic, a company spokesperson noted the bankruptcy filing is “a sale process, not a liquidation of Brooks Brothers or Deconic’s brands.”
“Deconic will continue to do business as usual for the time being [and] we do not expect this to interrupt our ability to deliver the brands Alexis Bittar and Carolee,” the spokesperson said.
RELATED CONTENT: The Latest on the Neiman Marcus, JC Penney Bankruptcies
Founded in 1818 as H. & D.H. Brooks & Co. in New York, Brooks Brothers is the oldest apparel company in the United States, it noted in the bankruptcy filing.
The company operates about 425 retail and factory outlet stores worldwide, including 236 in the United States.
Like so many retailers, it closed nearly all of its stores when the pandemic hit and furloughed 2,900 of its 4,025 employees worldwide.
It said Wednesday that 51 of its 236 U.S. stores, or 22 percent, have closed or are in the process of closing permanently, while the others will reopen “as local and state public health and government officials allow and as it is economical to do so.”
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
