True Religion Apparel Inc.

• 7/5/17 Recap: Another private equity backed retailer files for bankruptcy. Here, the "brand that is globally recognized for innovative, trendsetting denim jeans and apparel" has a fast-tracked prepackaged deal with its lenders and private equity sponsor to shed approximately 72% of its debt and continue its operational restructuring (read: more store closures). The Manhattan Beach California 128-store retailer (down after closing 30 stores worldwide) blamed a (i) "a macro consumer shift away from brick-and-mortar to online retail channels," (ii) a decline in the premium denim market segment in the fashion industry and corresponding rise of athleisure, (iii) fast fashion, (iv) the rise in competitive discounting to make up for lost foot traffic and sales, and (v) an over-levered balance sheet. We believe that the decline is primarily attributable to cheesy AF bedazzled and bejeweled jeans with heinous a$$-designs and stitching that no one other than the cast of the Jersey Shore would want to be caught dead in. Its initial claim-to-fame is its "iconic and trademarked" horsesh*t symbol...we mean, "iconic and trademarked horseshoe symbol." Seriously, how is True Religion ONLY #15 on this list of "50 Men's Fashion Trends That Never Should Have Happened"? We're truly asking. Anyway, the de-levered and operationally stream-lined company hopes to restructure around a business plan predicated upon a global e-commerce expansion, increased licensing, deployment of pop-up outlet stores, an expansion of its "Last Stitch" line, and other shenanigans in an attempt to keep this ugly brand from filing for Chapter 22 after the holiday season. On an aside, the pop-up strategy is interesting: the company notes that the outlet concept has been profitable, primarily because they are based on short-term 18-month-or-less leases with "little downside" for the company. Yikes, landlords. The company further noted that the conversion of True Religion locations to "Last Stitch" branded locations has been successful. Curious. Doesn't this signal that the True Religion brand is, uh, kinda worth f*ck all and the company's success is dependent upon shying away from it? Hmmm. 
• Jurisdiction: D. of Delaware (Sontchi)
• Capital Structure: $60mm ABL (Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch), $400mm first lien TL (Delaware Trust Company, as successor to Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch), $85mm second lien TL (Wilmington Trust National Association, as successor to Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch)
• Company Professionals:
  • Legal: Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP (Laura Davis Jones, David Bertenthal, James O'Neill)
  • Financial Advisor: Maeva Group LLC (Harry Wilson)
  • Claims Agent: Prime Clerk LLC (*click on company name above for free docket access)
• Other Parties in Interest:
  • Sponsor: Towerbrook Capital Partners LP
    • Legal: Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz LLP (Joshua Feltman, Emil Kleinhaus) & (local) Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell LLP (Derek Abbott, Daniel Butz)
  • Ad Hoc Group of Lenders (Apex Credit Partners LLC, Farmstead Capital Management LLC, Goldman Sachs Asset Management LP, Investcorp Credit Management US LLP, Palmer Square Capital Management LLC, Southpaw Asset Management LP, Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company and Ivy Investment Management Company, 
    • Legal: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (Arik Preis, Allison Miller, Jason Rubin, Yochun Katie Lee) & (local) Ashby & Geddes PA (Karen Skomorucha Owens, Stacy Newman)
    • Financial Advisor: Moelis & Company LLP
    • DIP Lender: Citizens Bank NA 
      • Legal: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP (Robert A.J. Barry, Julia Frost-Davies, Christopher Carter) & (local) Reed Smith LLP (Kurt Gwynne, Emily Devan)
    • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
      • Legal: Cooley LLP (Jay Indyke, Cathy Hershcopf, Seth Van Aalten, Max Schlan, Lauren Reichardt) & (local) Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP (Michael Yurkewicz, Sally Veghte)
      • Financial Advisor: Province Inc. (Peter Kravitz)

Updated 8/8/17