Guess Jeans announced on Monday a new creative partnership with Japanese multi-hyphenate artist Verdy.

Recognized as a creative pioneer in Japan, Verdy is set to reimagine and enhance the Guess Jeans global universe, bringing a new energy into the brand’s expansion in Japan. 

“I’ve had the pleasure to know and be friends with Verdy over the years. I’ve always admired his kindness and ability to bring a fun and playful element to everything he touches,” said chief new business development officer Nicolai Marciano. 

“Pursuing a major shift in our strategy in Japan, which is now focused through a Guess Jeans lens, I felt strongly about bringing Verdy in for this exciting new chapter.” 

Since 2023, Guess Jeans has cultivated an ongoing relationship with Verdy through a series of activations across Paris and Osaka.

His portfolio includes projects such as Girls Don’t Cry and Wasted Youth, along with his beloved characters Vick and Visty. He has collaborated with brands such as Nike, Human Made, Kenzo, Beats by Dre, McDonald’s, Instagram, and Dover Street Market. Verdy has also held prominent roles as the artistic director for ComplexCon Long Beach 2022, ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024, and Blackpink’s Born Pink tour.

“I’m excited to be working with Guess Jeans and my good friend, Nicolai. I’ve always respected how much passion he and his family have put into the brand. Guess has so much history and culture and I’m happy to be a part of it,” added Verdy.

Most recently, Marciano, who has been instrumental in Guess Jeans’ global expansion, curated key brand activations in 2024, launched flagship stores in Amsterdam and Berlin, and led the brand’s entry into India through a partnership with Tata Unistore.

Looking ahead, Guess Jeans is set to open flagship stores in Tokyo and Los Angeles.

Saks Global has announced that it will maintain operations at the Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store through the 2025 holiday season, while working with the City of Dallas on a new vision for the location.

Initially, Saks Global had planned to close the flagship store on Monday after more than a century in downtown Dallas, following a notice from its landlord terminating the lease. However, an effort by city officials and business leaders led to the City of Dallas acquiring the property, preserving the site’s legacy and opening the door for a potential revitalization.

City officials recently convened with Saks Global leadership to discuss a range of potential concepts for the reimagined store. These proposals include a luxury retail experience, a curated art exhibition, a multi-purpose fashion and event center, and an incubator for fashion design and manufacturing. 

“We deeply admire the city’s passion and unwavering dedication to Neiman Marcus’ storied legacy in Dallas. The potential reimagination of this iconic shopping destination reinforces Saks Global’s commitment to redefining the luxury shopping experience,” said Marc Metrick, chief executive officer of Saks Global. 

“As we explore opportunities for the Downtown store, along with the planned renovation at the NorthPark store, we will evaluate the opportunity to utilize both locations to serve different customer needs in the Dallas market.”

Since its establishment in 1907, Neiman Marcus has been a cornerstone of Dallas, shaping its fashion scene and contributing to the city’s cultural and civic landscape. Saks Global acquired Neiman Marcus Group for a total enterprise value of $2.7 billion, last year. 

“We are excited that Saks Global has decided to keep Neiman Marcus open downtown, as we explore the opportunity to unlock the potential to transform downtown into an international beacon and economic engine for fashion – just as the Neiman Marcus founders intended when they opened the store more than 100 years ago,” added Dallas city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. 

“We look forward to exploring what‘s on the horizon and are committed to continuing our conversations with the Saks Global team.”