Authentic Brands

Ascena Retail Group had been struggling to contend with dated brands and merchandise and a shift to online shopping despite a string of acquisitions over the years.

The company's private equity vehicle struck its first deal, backing a company that manages brands including Juicy Couture, active-wear maker Spyder and leather-goods provider Frye Co.

Authentic Brands proposed to be the so-called stalking horse bidder for Brookstone with an offer of $35 million this week, after acquiring the Nine West shoe and accessories label in June.

BoF has learned that G-III, the company that licenses Ivanka Trump ready-to-wear, has relabelled inventory without the knowledge of the brand and sold it to discount chain Stein Mart.

Back in 2011, Aéropostale was riding high and the company was profitable. Suddenly, it fell apart.