As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2009

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)

 

 

 

 

 

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.R. 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:  o

 

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:  þ

 

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.  o

 

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.  o

 

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.  o

 

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.  o

 

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):

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 26, 2009

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$300,000,000

 

 

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights

 

 

This prospectus relates to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and rights that we may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $300,000,000 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 3 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          , 2009

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

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.

 

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 $300,000,000. 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, 2009 is referred to as “fiscal 2009”.

 

G-III is a leading manufacturer and distributor of outerwear, dresses, sportswear and women’s suits under licensed brands, our own brands and private label brands. G-III has fashion licenses under the Calvin Klein, Sean John, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Guess?, Jones New York, Jessica Simpson, Nine West, Ellen Tracy, Tommy Hilfiger, Enyce, Levi’s and Dockers brands and sports licenses with the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Touch by Alyssa Milano and more than 100 U.S. colleges and universities. G-III sells outerwear and handbags under our own Andrew Marc and Marc New York brands and has licensed these brands for women’s footwear, men’s accessories, women’s handbags and men’s cold weather accessories. Our other owned brands include Marvin Richards, G-III, Jessica Howard, Eliza J., Black Rivet, Siena Studio, Tannery West, G-III by Carl Banks and Winlit. G-III works with a diversified group of retailers in developing product lines to be sold under their proprietary private labels. G-III also operates 121 retail stores, of which 118 are outlet stores operated under the Wilsons Leather name.

 

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.

 

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, 2009, which is on file with the SEC and is 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.

 

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:

 

 

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.

 

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, 2009. 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.

 

 

 

 

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. We issued a stock dividend in connection with our 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a common stock dividend effective on March 28, 2006.

 

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 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:

 

 

In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and rights collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may issue will not exceed $300,000,000.

 

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

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 41,000,000 shares of all classes of stock, consisting of 40,000,000 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. On March 28, 2006, we effected a three-for-two stock split of our common stock, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend. As of October 22, 2009, we had 16,862,069 shares of outstanding common stock held by 47 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:

 

 

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.

 

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 special stockholder meetings. 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. 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:

 

 

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:

 

 

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.

 

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”.

 

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:

 

 

 

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.

 

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 22, 2009, our outstanding indebtedness consisted of $187.0 million outstanding under a financing agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as administrative agent for a consortium of banks. The financing agreement is a senior secured revolving credit facility providing for borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of up to $250 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;

(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:

 

 

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:

 

 

 

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:

 

 

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.

 

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, 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:

 

 

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:

 

 

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.

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

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 to cover positions created by short sales. Shorts 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.

 

The consolidated financial statements of G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. and subsidiaries appearing in G-III Apparel Group Ltd.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended January 31, 2009 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of G-III Apparel Group Ltd.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009, 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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, 2009, filed on April 16, 2009;

 

(2) our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2009, filed on June 9, 2009;

 

(3) our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2009, filed on September 8, 2009;

 

(4) our current reports on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2009, April 7, 2009, April 21, 2009, July 23, 2009 and September 16, 2009; and

 

(5) the description of our capital stock contained in our Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2006.

 

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.

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.

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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 VI 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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(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;

 

(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.

 

(5) 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.

 

(6) 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.

 

(C) 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.

 

(D) 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.

 

(E) 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.

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 October 23, 2009.

 

G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD.

 

Morris Goldfarb

Chief Executive Officer

 

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.