W&B leads on sale of majority stake in MATCHESFASHION.COM to Apax
Background
W&B beat some of the world’s largest law firms to lead on the sale of a majority stake of luxury fashion retailer MATCHESFASHION.COM. to Apax. We acted for the owners of MATCHESFASHION – including Tom and Ruth Chapman, CEO Ulric Jerome, Scottish Equity Partners, and Highland Europe.
Thanks to all at White and Black for the incredible support you have given us, for the relentless pace at which you have worked and your sage advice. We all feel very privileged to have worked with such an amazing team. Looking forward to our next project together.
Tom Chapman, Co-Founder
MATCHESFASHION.COM
The Work
Financial advisors to the sellers were Qatalyst Partners, with Deloitte providing tax advice and PwC advising on bespoke structuring aspects of the deal. Jamieson CF provided corporate finance advice to the management team. Kirkland & Ellis and Ernst & Young advised the purchaser.
A deal of this magnitude would usually gravitate to a ‘magic circle’ firm but W&B were chosen for our very singular combination of skills: an expertise working with high-growth companies, a deep understanding of private equity-backed transactions and, probably most significantly, the trust established with the sellers and the Company’s management team. Contracts were exchanged just one week after W&B were instructed.
About the brand
MATCHESFASHION.COM is the global luxury-shopping destination for men and women. In its 30th anniversary year it continues its forward-looking focus on innovation and emerging talent. Renowned and respected for the relationships it builds with clients and partnerships it creates with brands, today it offers a modern edit of over 450 established and new generation designers. MATCHESFASHION.COM delivers to over 176 countries and offers 24/7 advice through MyStylist, its dedicated fashion-concierge team, plus its London stores and at No.23, its private-shopping townhouse.