FORM S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2012

Registration No. 333-        

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   41-1590959

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

512 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10018

(212) 403-0500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Morris Goldfarb

Chief Executive Officer

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

512 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10018

(212) 403-0500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies of all communications, including all communications sent to the agent for service, should be sent to:

Neil Gold, Esq.

Manuel G. Rivera, Esq.

Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

666 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10103

(212) 318-3000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:    ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:    x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered(1)

 

Amount

to be

registered

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per unit

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price(2)

  Amount of
registration fee(3)

Common stock, $.01 par value

               

Preferred stock, $.01 par value

       

Debt securities

  (4)   (4)   $400,000,000   $18,839.91

Warrants

       

Rights

       

Units

       

 

 

(1) There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, principal amount of debt securities, number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, and number of rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or warrants as may be sold by the registrant from time to time, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, principal amount of debt securities and number of warrants as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange of other classes of securities that provide for conversion or exchange. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the shares of common stock and preferred stock being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The aggregate maximum offering price of all securities issued pursuant to this registration statement will not exceed $400,000,000.
(3) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the securities registered pursuant to the registration statement include $261,877,500 of unsold securities previously registered on the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed on October 26, 2009 and declared effective on November 2, 2009 (File No. 333-162675) (the “Prior Registration Statement”). The Prior Registration Statement registered securities for a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $300,000,000, of which $261,877,500 remain unsold. In connection with the filing of the Prior Registration Statement, the registrant paid a registration fee of $14,612.76 in respect of such unsold securities. In accordance with Question 212.24 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Corporation Finance’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations regarding Securities Act Rules, the registrant is not required to pay any additional fee with respect to the $261,877,500 of unsold securities being included in this registration in reliance on Rule 415(a)(6), because such unsold securities (and associated fees) are being moved from the Prior Registration Statement to this registration statement. Accordingly, the “Amount of registration fee” above reflects only the registration fee attributable to the $138,122,500 of new securities registered on this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) of the Securities Act, the $14,612.76 registration fee previously paid by the registrant relating to the unsold securities included on this registration statement will continue to be applied to such unsold securities.
(4) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated November 1, 2012

PROSPECTUS

$400,000,000

 

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Units

This prospectus relates to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and rights, and any combination of such securities, separately or as units, that we may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000 on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The debt securities, preferred stock and warrants may be convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement for those securities.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GIII.”

These securities may be sold directly, on a continuous or delayed basis, by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We may also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of these securities in any applicable prospectus supplement. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from any such sale will also be included in a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” referred to on page 4 of this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2012


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     3   

About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

     4   

Risk Factors

     4   

Forward-Looking Statements

     5   

Retroactive Presentation for Change in Accounting Principle

     7   

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

     8   

Dividend Policy

     8   

Use of Proceeds

     9   

The Securities We May Offer

     9   

Description of Capital Stock

     10   

Description of Debt Securities

     15   

Description of Warrants

     22   

Description of Rights

     23   

Description of Units

     24   

Plan of Distribution

     25   

Experts

     27   

Legal Matters

     28   

Where You Can Find More Information

     28   

Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference

     29   

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THE INFORMATION

PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. For further information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the securities being offered and the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” carefully before making an investment decision.

The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that important information is contained in other documents that are considered to be a part of this prospectus. Additionally, information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the information that is incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference.” The registration statement, including the exhibits and the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated in this prospectus can be read on the SEC website or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

This prospectus may not be used to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

In this prospectus, ‘‘G-III,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to G-III Apparel Group, Ltd., a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries. References to fiscal years refer to the year ended or ending on January 31 of that year. For example, our fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 is referred to as ‘‘fiscal 2012’’.

 

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ABOUT G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD.

G-III designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of apparel, including outerwear, dresses, sportswear, swimwear, beachwear, women’s suits and women’s performance wear, as well as luggage and women’s handbags, small leather goods and cold weather accessories. We sell our products under our own proprietary brands and labels, which include Vilebrequin, Andrew Marc, Marc New York, Jessica Howard, Eliza J and Black Rivet, licensed brands and private labels. G-III also operates outlet stores under the Wilsons Leather and Andrew Marc names, and operates and franchises Vilebrequin retail stores. While our products are sold at a variety of price points through a broad mix of retail partners and our own stores, a majority of our sales are concentrated with our ten largest customers.

We are a Delaware corporation that was formed in 1989. We and our predecessors have conducted our business since 1974. Our executive offices are located at 512 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10018 and our telephone number is (212) 403-0500. Our website is http://www.g-iii.com. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Please see the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2012 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2012, which are on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in the documents and reports that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as any risks described in any applicable prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference) concerning our business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated revenues, expenses or other financial items, product introductions and plans and objectives related thereto, and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

our dependence on licensed product;

 

   

costs and uncertainties with respect to expansion of our product offerings;

 

   

customer concentration;

 

   

the impact of the current economic and credit environment on our customers, suppliers and vendors;

 

   

the impact of the downturn in the global economy on consumer purchases of products that we offer for sale;

 

   

the performance of our products within the prevailing retail environment;

 

   

customer acceptance of new products;

 

   

our ability to make strategic acquisitions;

 

   

possible disruption from acquisitions;

 

   

consolidation of our retail customers;

 

   

price, availability and quality of materials used in our products;

 

   

seasonal nature of our business;

 

   

dependence on existing management;

 

   

the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate;

 

   

risks of operating a retail business;

 

   

risks related to our acquisition of Vilebrequin;

 

   

need for additional financing;

 

   

our ability to import products in a timely and cost effective manner;

 

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our reliance on foreign manufacturers;

 

   

our intention to introduce new products or enter into new alliances;

 

   

our ability to continue to maintain our reputation;

 

   

fluctuations in the price of our common stock; and

 

   

the potential effect on the price of our common stock if actual results are worse than financial forecasts.

We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These important factors include the factors that we identify in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. See “Risk Factors.” You should read these factors and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference, as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made by us, except as required by law.

 

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RETROACTIVE PRESENTATION FOR CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

The following is presented to reflect the retrospective application of a new accounting pronouncement with respect to the financial information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2012. Effective February 1, 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” as amended by Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” These updates require that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements and eliminate the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. These updates do not, however, change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or the determination of net income. The new guidance is to be applied retrospectively. The adoption only impacted the presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

The following selected financial information revises historical information to illustrate the new presentation required by this pronouncement for the periods presented. This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the year ended January 31, 2012 as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference in the prospectus.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Consolidated net income

   $ 49,620       $ 56,682       $ 31,718   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     23         17         (36
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     23         17         (36
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders

   $ 49,643       $ 56,699       $ 31,682   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

AND RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO

COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the last five fiscal years and for the six months ended July 31, 2012. In calculating these ratios, earnings include pre-tax income or loss from continuing operations plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest expensed and estimated interest within rental expense. We have never issued shares of preferred stock and, accordingly, have not paid any dividends on shares of preferred stock during the periods indicated, therefore the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are identical to the ratios presented below for all such periods.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended January 31,      Six Months
Ended
 
     2008      2009     2010      2011      2012      July 31, 2012  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     6.0         (a     7.6         13.8         9.4         1.2   

 

(a) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2009. Pre-tax loss for the year ended January 31, 2009 includes non-cash impairment charges of $33.5 million.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with covenants under any existing financing agreements, which may restrict or limit our ability to declare or pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We currently intend to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Working capital and other general corporate purposes may include repaying debt, making capital expenditures, funding general and administrative expenses and any other purpose that we may specify in any prospectus supplement. We have not yet determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for any of the foregoing purposes. Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds from the sale of securities sold pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Pending any use, as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in high-quality, short-term, interest-bearing securities. Our plans to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities may change, and if they do, we will update this information in a prospectus supplement.

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

   

common stock;

 

   

preferred stock;

 

   

debt securities;

 

   

warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities;

 

   

rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or warrants; or

 

   

units comprised of any of the foregoing, in any combination.

In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may issue will not exceed $400,000,000.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Authorized Capital Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 81,000,000 shares of all classes of stock, consisting of 80,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series with such terms as the board of directors may determine. As of October 31, 2012, we had 20,097,295 shares of outstanding common stock held by 39 holders of record.

We do not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held by them on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors, and do not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, as, when and if declared by our board of directors from time to time, such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property from our assets or funds legally available for such purposes. In the event of any distribution of capital assets or winding-up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive pro rata the assets remaining after creditors have been paid in full. There are no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights applicable to our common stock. The outstanding shares of our common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, and fully paid.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board also has the authority to fix the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative, participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any series of preferred stock issued, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, or other rights, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Preferred stock could be issued with terms that could delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock may decrease the market price of the common stock and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.

If we decide to issue any preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe in a prospectus supplement the terms of the preferred stock, including, if applicable, the following:

 

   

the title of the series and stated value;

 

   

the number of shares of the series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share, if applicable, and the offering price;

 

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the applicable dividend rate(s) or amount(s), period(s) and payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof;

 

   

the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate, if applicable;

 

   

any procedures for auction and remarketing;

 

   

any provisions for a sinking fund;

 

   

any applicable provision for redemption and the price or prices, terms and conditions on which preferred stock may be redeemed;

 

   

any securities exchange listing;

 

   

any voting rights and powers;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if applicable, of conversion into shares of our common stock, including the conversion price or rate or manner of calculation thereof;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

   

the relative ranking and preference as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;

 

   

any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such series of preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects Of Certain Provisions Of Our Certificate Of Incorporation

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire control of our company. A description of these provisions is set forth below.

Authorized but Unissued Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, unless such approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that some, or a majority, of the stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then prevailing market price of the stock.

 

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Special Stockholder Meetings. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless required by law, may be called by the president or secretary and shall be called by the chairman, president or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the board of directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of our entire capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

Advanced Notice Procedure. Our bylaws provide an advance notice procedure for stockholder meetings.

With respect to annual meetings of stockholders, our bylaws requires stockholders to deliver notice to G-III of their intention to make director nominations or bring other business before the meeting not later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day, in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting if the meeting is to be held on a day which is not more than 30 days in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting or not later than 70 days after the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. With respect to any other annual meeting of stockholders, G-III must receive stockholder notices by the close of business on the tenth day following the date of public disclosure of the meeting date. In addition, our bylaws prescribes information that the stockholder’s notice must contain, both as to itself and its proposed director nominee, if the stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate for the annual meeting director election, and prescribes information that the stockholder’s notice must contain if the stockholder wishes to bring business other than a director nomination before the annual meeting.

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called must be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The only business that may be brought before the meeting will be the business described in the notice of meeting delivered to the stockholders. In the event we call a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the board of directors, any stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in our notice of meeting, if the stockholder provides us written notice no later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date of public disclosure of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting.

These advance notice provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempt to obtain control of us.

Anti-Takeover Provisions Of Delaware Law

A number of provisions under Delaware law may make it more difficult to acquire control of us. These provisions could deprive the stockholders of opportunities to realize a premium on the shares of common stock owned by them. In addition, these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of the common stock. These provisions are intended to:

 

   

enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board and in the policies formulated by the board;

 

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discourage certain types of transactions which may involve an actual or threatened change in control of our company;

 

   

discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights; and

 

   

encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to consult first with the board of directors to negotiate the terms of any proposed business combination or offer.

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. Subject to exceptions, the statute prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

Prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

Upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

   

On or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, with an “interested stockholder” being defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the date of determination whether the person is an “interested stockholder,” did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

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Limitation On Liability And Indemnification Matters

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.

Transfer Agent And Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

Nasdaq Stock Market Listing

Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GIII”.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Debt Securities,” references to “holders” mean those who own our debt securities registered in their own names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.

The following description summarizes the material provisions of our debt securities. The debt securities are to be issued under a senior debt securities indenture or subordinated debt securities indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee that we will select. The forms of these indentures have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. This description is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the forms of indentures and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, which we refer to as the “Trust Indenture Act”. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

The particular terms of each series of debt securities that we may offer from time to time will be established in or under a resolution of our board of directors and set forth in an officers’ certificate or a supplemental indenture, and in a form of debt security with respect to that series. We will file the applicable executed indenture, such officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture and the form of debt security with the SEC. The prospectus supplement with respect to the series of debt securities we are offering will describe these particular terms and will indicate the extent to which the general terms described below may not apply to that series of debt securities. Whenever particular defined terms of the applicable form of indenture, as supplemented or amended from time to time, are referred to in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement, those defined terms are incorporated in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement by reference.

General

Our debt securities will be our direct obligations, which may be secured or unsecured, may be senior or subordinated and may be convertible into shares of our common stock or preferred stock. The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue and permit us to issue debt securities from time to time in different series, each of which may have different terms. Debt securities issued under the indentures will be issued as part of a series that has been established by us under the indenture.

We expect that the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities we are offering will include the following information concerning those debt securities:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

the aggregate principal amount;

 

   

the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

   

the date or dates on which principal is payable;

 

   

the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates; the date or dates from which interest, if any, will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable;

 

   

the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable;

 

   

the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of that number;

 

   

whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

   

the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the currency of denomination;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made;

 

   

if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denomination, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

 

   

if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

   

the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities;

 

   

the provisions, if any, with respect to amortization;

 

   

any addition to or change in the covenants and/or the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;

 

   

any events of default, if not otherwise described below under “—Events of Default, Notice and Waiver”;

 

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the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for shares of common stock or preferred stock;

 

   

any terms and conditions restricting the declaration of dividends or requiring the maintenance of any asset ratio or the creation or maintenance of reserves;

 

   

any provisions restricting the incurrence of additional debt or the issuance of additional securities;

 

   

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to our other indebtedness;

 

   

whether the debt security will be defeasible; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities.

Conversion Rights

The terms, if any, on which debt securities of a series may be exchanged for or converted into common stock or preferred stock, debt securities of another series or other securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series.

Global Debt Securities

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the registered debt securities of a series will be issued only in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depository. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, or participants, that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security or persons that may hold interests through participants.

Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of those indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants.

Payments on Debt Securities

We will make payments on our debt securities at the office or agency we will maintain for that purpose, which will be the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in New York, New York unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, or at such other places and at the respective times and in the manner as we designate in the prospectus supplement.

 

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Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Any debt securities issued under our subordinated indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our other indebtedness, except any of our indebtedness the terms of which expressly provide that repayment of that indebtedness is subordinate and junior in right of payment to the debt securities issued under our subordinated indenture. The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part do not limit the amount of indebtedness which we may incur, including senior indebtedness or subordinated indebtedness, and do not limit us from issuing any other debt.

As of October 31, 2012, our outstanding indebtedness consisted of $265,092,329 outstanding under a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as administrative agent for a group of lenders. The credit agreement is a five year senior secured revolving credit facility providing for borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of up to $450 million. We will update the amount of our debt outstanding which is senior, equal in rank and subordinated to any series of indebtedness that we issue under our senior indenture or subordinated indenture in the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of debt securities.

Covenants

Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement, there are not any covenants in either the senior debt securities indenture, the subordinated debt securities indenture or our debt securities that would protect you against a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us that may adversely affect you as a holder of our debt securities. If there are provisions that offer such protection, they will be described in the prospectus supplement.

We may not consolidate or merge or sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets unless the surviving person, if it is not us, is a domestic person and assumes our obligations under our debt securities and the indenture and unless, under the indenture, there is no event of default (defined below) immediately after the transaction.

Any additional covenants that we agree to with respect to a series of the debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement or related pricing supplement.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

An event of default in respect of any series of our debt securities means:

 

  (1) our failure to pay any interest on that series within 30 days of when that interest is due;

 

  (2) our failure to pay any principal, sinking fund installment or analogous obligation on that series when due;

 

  (3) our failure to perform any other agreement in our debt securities of that series or the indenture, other than an agreement relating solely to another series of our debt securities, for 90 days after written notice of the breach or default;

 

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  (4) acceleration of our indebtedness aggregating more than $5,000,000;

 

  (5) our failure to discharge any judgment of $5,000,000 or more within 60 days after the judgment becomes final and nonappealable; and

 

  (6) certain events of our bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization.

If an event of default described in (1), (2) or (3) above (if the event of default under (3) above is with respect to less than all series of debt securities then outstanding) occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may declare the principal and accrued interest, if any, of all securities of that series to be due and payable. If an event default described in (3) (if the event of default under (3) above is with respect to all series of securities then outstanding), (4) or (5) above occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series may declare the principal and accrued interest, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities to be due and payable.

Within 90 days after a default in respect of any series of our debt securities, the trustee must give to the holders of such series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults by us known to it. However, except in the case of default in payment, the trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that withholding is in the interest of such holders. The term “default” means, for this purpose, the happening of any event of default, disregarding any grace period or notice requirement.

Before the trustee is required to exercise rights under the indenture at the request, order or direction of holders, it is entitled to be indemnified by such holders, subject to its duty, during an event of default, to act with the required standard of care.

If any event of default has occurred, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (with each series voting as a separate class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, in respect of that series.

We must file an annual certificate with the trustee that we are in compliance with conditions and covenants under the indenture.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, or the holders of a majority of all outstanding debt securities voting as a single class, on behalf of the holders of all outstanding debt securities may waive some past defaults or events of default, or compliance with certain provisions of the indenture, but may not waive among other things an uncured default in payment of interest or principal.

Modification or Amendment of the Indenture

If we receive the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected, we may enter into supplemental indentures with the trustee that would:

 

   

add, change or eliminate provisions in the applicable indenture; or

 

   

change the rights of the holders of our debt securities.

 

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However, unless we receive the consent of all of the affected holders, we may not enter into supplemental indentures that would, with respect to the debt securities of those holders:

 

   

change the final maturity;

 

   

reduce the principal amount or any premium;

 

   

reduce the interest rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

 

   

in the case of subordinated debt securities, modifying the subordination provisions in a manner that is adverse to holders of the subordinated debt securities;

 

   

in the case of senior debt securities, modifying the securities to subordinate the securities to other indebtedness;

 

   

reduce any amount payable on redemption or provable in bankruptcy;

 

   

reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be payable on acceleration;

 

   

impair or affect the right of any holder to institute suit for payment;

 

   

change any right of the holder to require repayment; or

 

   

reduce the requirement for majority approval of supplemental indentures.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

The applicable indenture, with respect to any and all series of debt securities (except for certain specified surviving obligations including, among other things, our obligation to pay the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt securities), will be discharged and cancelled upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the payment in full of the principal of, and interest, if any, on all of the debt securities of that series or the deposit with the trustee of an amount of cash sufficient for the payment or redemption, in accordance with the indenture.

Defeasance

The indentures include provisions allowing defeasance that we may choose to apply to our debt securities of any series. If we do so, we must deposit with the trustee or another trustee money or U.S. government obligations (or combination thereof) sufficient to make all payments on those debt securities. If we make such a deposit with respect to your debt securities, we may elect:

 

   

to be discharged from all our obligations on your debt securities, except for our obligations to register transfers and exchanges, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust (“defeasance”); or

 

   

to be released from covenants with respect to your debt securities that we may specify in accordance with the indenture (“covenant defeasance”).

 

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In order to exercise defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of our counsel stating that we have received, or that there has been a publication of, an Internal Revenue Service ruling, or that there has been a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, and that as a result of such ruling or change in law, the holders of our debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred. In order to exercise covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of our counsel stating that the holders of our debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred. There are additional conditions to defeasance or covenant defeasance which are described in the applicable indenture.

Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction

The indentures and the debt securities issued thereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws.

Concerning the Trustee

The indentures contain limitations on the rights of the trustee should it become a creditor of G-III, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict or resign or otherwise comply with the Trust Indenture Act.

The indentures provide that, in case an event of default should occur and be continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the exercise of its powers.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or rights as units, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. We may issue warrants directly or under a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. We will name any warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of any warrants we may issue and may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to the applicable prospectus supplement. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will describe the terms of the warrants and any applicable warrant agreement, including, where applicable, the following:

 

   

the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

   

the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

   

the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or principal amounts of debt securities, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;

 

   

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

   

any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

   

the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

   

the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or warrants that we may offer to our securityholders. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

 

   

the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

   

the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or warrants purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

   

the exercise price;

 

   

the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and

 

   

any applicable federal income tax considerations.

Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock or warrants at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.

If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities or rights, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. We may issue units under a unit agreement to be entered into between us and a unit agent. We will name any unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any unit agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the units of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of units. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of any units we may issue and may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to the applicable prospectus supplement. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will describe the terms of the units and any applicable unit agreement, including, where applicable, the following:

 

   

the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

   

any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

   

any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

through agents to the public or to investors;

 

   

to one or more underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to investors;

 

   

in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or an exchange or otherwise;

 

   

directly to investors in privately negotiated transactions; or

 

   

through a combination of these methods of sale.

The securities that we distribute by any of these methods may be sold, in one or more transactions, at:

 

   

a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

   

negotiated prices.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of our securities, which will include, if applicable:

 

   

the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of our securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any agency fees or underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

the public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which such common stock may be listed.

 

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Underwriters

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any of the securities offered. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriters the nature of any such relationship.

Agents

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

Direct Sales

We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Stabilization Activities

In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases

 

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to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities from us, if any, in the offering. If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from us, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The impositions of a penalty bid may also effect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of G-III Apparel Group Ltd. appearing in G-III Apparel Group Ltd’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended January 31, 2012 (including the schedule appearing therein, and the effectiveness of G-III Apparel Group Ltd‘s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2012, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Vilebrequin International SA and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2011 incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2012 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Independent Accountants , included therein, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters, including the legality of the securities offered, will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., New York, New York. If the securities are distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You should call 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC’s Internet site contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site.

Our Internet address is http://www.g-iii.com. The information on our Internet website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC in other documents. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to other documents that contain that information. Any information that we incorporate by reference is considered part of this prospectus. The documents and reports that we list below are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. In addition, all documents and reports which we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as of the respective filing dates of these documents and reports. Statements contained in documents that we file with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus, including information in previously filed documents or reports that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, to the extent the new information differs from or is inconsistent with the old information.

We have filed the following documents with the SEC. These documents are incorporated herein by reference as of their respective dates of filing:

 

  (1) our annual report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, filed on April 11, 2012;

 

  (2) our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2012, filed on June 7, 2012;

 

  (3) our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2012, filed on September 10, 2012;

 

  (4) our current reports on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2012 (excluding Item 2.02 therein), August 8, 2012 (and the amendment thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on October 22, 2012), October 11, 2012 and November 1, 2012; and

 

  (5) the description of our capital stock contained in our Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2012.

All documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement.

Any such statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

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You may request a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

512 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10018

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

(212) 403-0500

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any prospectus supplement that we have specifically referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and registration of the securities being registered hereunder. All amounts shown are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 18,839.91   

Accounting fees and expenses*

     25,000.00   

Legal fees and expenses*

     35,000.00   

Blue sky fees and expenses*

     5,000.00   

Transfer agent and listing fees*

     3,000.00   

Miscellaneous*

     13,160.09   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 100,000.00   
  

 

 

 

 

* Does not include expenses of preparing prospectus supplements and other expenses relating to offerings of particular securities.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “GCL”) authorizes Delaware corporations to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or a stockholder for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, other than his duty of loyalty to the corporation and its stockholders, or for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, and the unlawful purchase or redemption of stock or payment of unlawful dividends or the receipt of improper benefits. Article VII of our bylaws provides for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted under the GCL. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Title

  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement by and among the Company and the underwriters named therein.
  3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-31906), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.1(a)   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 8, 2006, (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2006 filed on September 13, 2006, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.1(b)   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 7, 2011, (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 9, 2011, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.2   By-laws, as amended (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 9, 2011, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.3   Form of Common Stock Certificate (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No. 33-31906), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.4*   Form of Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences of Preferred Stock.
  3.5*   Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock.
  4.1   Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Senior Note) (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-162675), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  4.2   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Subordinated Note) (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-162675), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  4.3*   Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Title

  4.4*    Form of Rights Certificate.
  4.5*    Form of Rights Agent Agreement or Subscription Agent Agreement.
  4.6*    Form of Unit Agreement.
  5.1    Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
12.1    Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Independent Accountants.
23.3    Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Power of Attorney (included in signature page).
25.1*    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
25.2*    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to the Senior Debt Securities.

 

* To be incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of securities.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(i)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

A. Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

B. Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, New York, on November 1, 2012.

 

G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD.
By:  

/s/ Morris Goldfarb

  Morris Goldfarb
  Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints MORRIS GOLDFARB, WAYNE S. MILLER and NEAL S. NACKMAN, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    MORRIS GOLDFARB        

   Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   November 1, 2012
Morris Goldfarb     

/s/    NEAL S. NACKMAN        

   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   November 1, 2012
Neal S. Nackman     

/s/    SAMMY AARON        

   Director and Vice Chairman   November 1, 2012
Sammy Aaron     

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    THOMAS J. BROSIG        

   Director   November 1, 2012
Thomas J. Brosig     

/s/    ALAN FELLER        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Alan Feller     

/s/    JEFFREY GOLDFARB        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Jeffrey Goldfarb     

/s/    CARL KATZ        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Carl Katz     

/s/    LAURA POMERANTZ        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Laura Pomerantz     

/s/    CHERYL VITALI        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Cheryl Vitali     

/s/    WILLEM VAN BOKHORST        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Willem van Bokhorst     

/s/    RICHARD WHITE        

   Director  

November 1, 2012

Richard White     

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Title

  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement by and among the Company and the underwriters named therein.
  3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-31906), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.1(a)   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 8, 2006, (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2006 filed on September 13, 2006, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.1(b)   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 7, 2011, (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 9, 2011, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.2   By-laws, as amended (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 9, 2011, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.3   Form of Common Stock Certificate (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No. 33-31906), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  3.4*   Form of Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences of Preferred Stock.
  3.5*   Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock.
  4.1   Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Senior Note) (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-162675), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  4.2   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Subordinated Note) (previously filed as an exhibit to G-III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-162675), which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference).
  4.3*   Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
  4.4*   Form of Rights Certificate.

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Title

  4.5*    Form of Rights Agent Agreement or Subscription Agent Agreement.
  4.6*    Form of Unit Agreement.
  5.1    Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
12.1    Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Independent Accountants.
23.3    Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Power of Attorney (included in signature page).
25.1*    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
25.2*    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to the Senior Debt Securities.

 

* To be incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of securities.

 

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