Document:

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT is dated as of September 29, 2011 (this “Agreement”), among MIDMARKET CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Agent”), IM READY-MADE, LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Holder”), XCEL BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“XCel”) and IM BRANDS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“IMB” and collectively with XCel, the “Buyers”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2011 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among IMB, the Lenders parties thereto and the Agent, the Lenders have committed to make certain loans to IMB;

 

WHEREAS, the Buyers have acquired or will acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities from the Holder pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of May 19, 2011 among the Buyers, the Holder, Isaac Mizrahi, and Marisa Gardini as amended by First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 28, 2011, Second Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 15, 2011 Third Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 21, 2011 and Fourth Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 29, 2011 (as further amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Asset Purchase Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Holder has agreed to accept that certain Promissory Note, in the original principal amount of Seven Million Three Hundred Seventy-Seven Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Two Dollars ($7,377,432) issued by the Buyers (the “Subordinated Note”) as partial payment of the purchase price under the Asset Purchase Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Note, on the date the Subordinated Note is issued, the Buyers shall prepay interest in the amount of $122,568.00  being all of the interest which will accrue on the principal balance thereof in the absence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Subordinated Note) under the terms of the Subordinated Note (the “Pre-Paid Interest”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Holder has a contingent right to receive the following earn-out payments (collectively, the “Earn-Out Payments”): (i) additional XCel Shares (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) with a value based upon the Business (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) achieving certain Net Royalty Income (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) targets, such earn-out values as enumerated in the Asset Purchase Agreement, and (ii) the QVC Earn-Out (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) payable in either cash or additional XCel Shares based upon revenues received from QVC (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement), as enumerated in the Asset Purchase Agreement; and

  

  

 

 

WHEREAS, the Holder is willing to subordinate the Subordinated Obligations (as defined below) on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.

DEFINITIONS

 

(a)           As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Collection Action” means to initiate or participate with others in any suit, action or proceeding against any Buyer to (i) enforce payment of or to collect the whole or any part of the Subordinated Obligations or (ii) commence judicial enforcement of any of the rights and remedies under applicable law, the Subordinated Note, or any other documents evidencing, securing or otherwise related to the Subordinated Obligations.

 

“Default Interest Payments” means any payments with respect to interest accrued under the Subordinated Note due to the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Subordinated Note).

 

“Indebtedness”  of any Person at any date, means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to Property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such Property), (e) all obligations relating to Lease required to be capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under acceptance, letter of credit, surety bond or similar facilities, (g) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any equity security of such Person, (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien on property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation and (j) all obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate or currency forwards, options, swaps, caps or collar agreements, foreign exchange agreements, commodity contracts or similar arrangements.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include, without duplication, the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor

  

2

 

 

“Lender Obligations” means all Liabilities of the Buyers (whether as borrower or guarantor) owing to, or in favor or for the benefit of, or purporting to be owing to, or in favor or for the benefit of the Agent, any Lenders or any other Secured Party, including (a) those under the Credit Agreement, the Notes executed in connection therewith or any other Loan Documents and (b) those under any amendment (including an increase in the principal amount or interest rate) of such Liabilities under any Loan Document or any renewal, extension or refinancing of  such Liabilities under any Loan Document; in each case (x) WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING OR ACQUIRED, AND (y) WHETHER OR NOT AN ALLOWABLE CLAIM AGAINST ANY BUYER UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY CODE OR OTHERWISE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST ANY BUYER, AND INCLUDING, IN ANY EVENT, INTEREST AND OTHER LIABILITIES ACCRUING OR ARISING AFTER THE FILING BY OR AGAINST ANY BUYER OF A PETITION UNDER THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY CODE OR THAT WOULD HAVE SO ACCRUED OR ARISEN BUT FOR THE FILING OF SUCH A PETITION; provided, that (i) Lender Obligations shall continue to constitute Lender Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall continue to apply to such Lender Obligations, whether or not such Lender Obligations or any party thereof has been voided, disallowed or subordinated pursuant to Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state fraudulent conveyance laws, whether asserted directly or under Section 544 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and (ii) if any payment on account of Lender Obligations shall be required to be returned as a preference or otherwise such Lender Obligations shall for all purposes of this definition be deemed not to have been repaid in the amount so required to be returned and to have at all times remained outstanding.

 

“Liability” of any Person means (in each case, whether with full or limited recourse) any indebtedness, liability, obligation, covenant or duty of or binding upon, or any term or condition to be observed by or binding upon, such Person or any of its assets, of any kind, nature or description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or not due, contractual or tortuous, liquidated or unliquidated, whether arising under contract, applicable law, or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether for the payment of money or the performance or non-performance of any act.

 

“Note Scheduled Payments” means the payment of the Pre-Paid Interest in cash and the capitalization of accrued interest on the Subordinated Note at a rate not to exceed 15.0% per annum not more frequently than on a quarterly basis.

 

“Subordinated Obligations” shall mean all Liabilities of any Buyer to the Holder, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, under the Subordinated Note; provided, that such Liabilities shall not include any payments to be made under the Subordinated Note by the issuance of XCel Shares.

 

Capitalized terms used, and not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

  

3

 

 

SECTION 2.

SUBORDINATION

2.1           Subordination of Payment.

 

(a)           The Subordinated Obligations shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Lender Obligations and, except as hereinafter provided, the Holder will not take or receive from the Buyers, by set-off or in any other manner, payment of the whole or any part of the Subordinated Obligations or any Earn-Out Payment, or any security therefor, unless and until all of the Lender Obligations shall have been paid in full.  The Holder will not take any action to prevent the Buyers from making such prior payment to the Agent or any other Secured Party in respect of the Lender Obligations.

 

(b)           Except as permitted herein, the Buyers will not, and will not permit any of their Affiliates, to purchase or otherwise acquire or secure or make any payments in respect of the Subordinated Obligations or any Earn-Out Payment unless and until all of the Lender Obligations shall have been fully paid.

 

(c)           In the event that a Royalty Shortfall Payment (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) shall be due to the Buyers pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, any such payment shall be made in immediately available funds to the Buyers and no Buyer shall satisfy any Royalty Shortfall Payment by decreasing the principal balance of the Subordinated Note or offsetting such amount against any other obligation of such Buyer to the Holder (including in respect of the Earn-Out Payments).

 

(d)           Unless all of the Lender Obligations shall have been paid in full, the Holder agrees that any Earn-Out Payments due to the Holder shall be paid solely in XCel Shares.

 

2.2           Payment on Subordinated Note.  Except as permitted in this Section 2.2, anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Buyers shall not pay to the Holder any payment on the Subordinated Note, or any other amounts due in respect of the Subordinated Obligations; provided, however, that, the Buyers may make the Note Scheduled Payment in respect of the Subordinated Note.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Buyers may (i) pay the Pre-Paid Interest concurrent with the execution of this Agreement and (ii) subject to Section 2.1(d), make the Earn-Out Payments to the Holder when and to the extent due.

 

2.3           Implementation.  In furtherance of, and to make effective, the subordination effected by Section 2.1:

 

(a)           In the event of any distribution, division or application, partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, of all or any part of the assets of any Buyer, or the proceeds thereof, to creditors of any Buyer, or upon any indebtedness of any Buyer, by reason of the liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of any Buyer or any Buyer’s business, or any sale, receivership, insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, or assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any proceeding by or against any Buyer for any relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or laws relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of indebtedness, reorganizations, compositions or extensions (collectively, “Proceedings”), then and in any such event any payment or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other property, which but for Article 2 of this Agreement would be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any or all of the Subordinated Obligations shall instead be paid or delivered directly to the Agent for application on the Lender Obligations, whether then due or not due, until the Lender Obligations shall have first been fully paid and satisfied.

  

4

 

 

(b)           In connection with any Proceeding, the Holder hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Agent to demand, sue for, collect and receive every such payment or distribution and give acquittance therefor, and to file claims and take such other proceedings, in the Agent’s own names or in the name of the Holder, or otherwise, as the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable for the enforcement of the provisions of  this Agreement.  The Holder agrees duly and promptly to take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Agent to collect the Subordinated Obligations held by it for the account of the Agent and/or to file appropriate proofs of claim in respect to the Subordinated Obligations, and to execute and deliver to the Agent on demand such powers of attorney, proofs of claim, assignments of claim or proofs of claim, votes in favor of plans of reorganization and other instruments as may be requested by the Agent in order to enable the Agent to enforce any and all claims upon or with respect to the Subordinated Obligations, and to collect and receive any and all such payments or distributions which may be payable or deliverable at any time upon or with respect to the Subordinated Obligations held by it.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the Agent fails to file any proof of claim prior to ten (10) days before due, the Holder shall be entitled to file proof(s) of claims in any proceeding provided such proof of claim is not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) the Holder may file any necessary responsive pleadings in opposition to any motion, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any Person objecting to or seeking disallowance of its claims and (iii) the Holder may vote in favor of any plan of reorganization which is not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)           Should any payment or distribution or security or proceeds of any security be received by the Holder upon or with respect to the Subordinated Obligations or the Earn-Out Payment that is not permitted to be paid hereunder, the Holder will forthwith deliver the same to the Agent in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of the Holder where necessary) for application on the Lender Obligations, and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by the Holder as property of the Agent.  In the event of the failure of the Holder to make any such endorsement or assignment, the Agent, or any of its officers or employees, is hereby irrevocably authorized to make the same.

 

(d)           If requested by the Agent, the Holder will mark and maintain in its books of accounts notations and shall cause its financial statements to reflect the rights and priorities of the Agent hereunder.  The Holder will at all times cause the following legend to be conspicuously marked on each document or instrument evidencing the Subordinated Obligations: “THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDER HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 AMONG MIDMARKET CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, THE HOLDER PARTY THEREIN, XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND IM BRANDS, LLC (AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED OR MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT”) AND PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT TO THE HOLDER HEREUNDER IS EXPRESSLY SUBORDINATE TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT OF THE LENDER OBLIGATIONS (AS DEFINED IN THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT).”

 

(e)           The Holder shall not permit the Subordinated Obligations to be subordinated to any other Liability pursuant to any subordination or similar agreement.

 

  

5

 

 

(f)           The Holder shall not accelerate any Subordinated Obligations or enforce any mandatory prepayment or repurchase thereof and the Holder shall not commence any action or proceeding against the Buyers or take any other action to recover all or any part of the Subordinated Obligations, including any Collection Action.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Holder shall not join with any creditor, unless requested by the Agent, in bringing any proceedings against the Buyers under any bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment of debt, arrangement of debt, receivership, liquidation or insolvency law or statute of the Federal or any state government unless and until the Lender Obligations shall be paid in full.

 

(g)           Notwithstanding the terms and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement or the Subordinated Note or any UCC financing statement, the Holder acknowledges and agrees that it does not have and shall not acquire any right, title or interest in or to any of the Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired as security for any of the Subordinated Obligations.

 

2.4           Subrogation.  The Holder hereby agrees not to assert any rights of subrogation in respect of payments or distributions of assets of any Buyer made to, retained by or remitted to the Agent until such time as the Lender Obligations have been paid in full.  The Holder shall execute and deliver such further documents or instruments as the Agent may reasonably request in order to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

2.5           Subordination Not Affected.  The Agent may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Holder, without incurring liability to the Holder, and without impairing or releasing the obligations of the Holder under this Agreement, change the manner, place or terms of payment or change the time of payment of, or extend, increase, renew, alter, waive, release or compromise the Lender Obligations or any security therefor, or amend or modify in any manner any agreement, note, guaranty or other instrument evidencing or securing or otherwise relating to any Lender Obligations.  All rights and interests of the Agent hereunder, and all agreements and obligations of the Holder and the Buyers under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Lender Obligations or the Credit Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document, (ii) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Buyer, (iii) any amendment or modification of or supplement to the Credit Agreement, the Note or any Loan Document, (iv) the release, exchange, sale or surrender, in whole or in part, of any collateral security hereafter existing for any Lender Obligations, (v) any exercise or non-exercise of any right, power or remedy under or in respect of the Lender Obligations, (vi) any waiver, consent, release, indulgence or other action with respect to Lender Obligations, or (vii) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Buyers or the Holder.  This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Lender Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Agent upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Buyer or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

  

6

 

 

SECTION 3.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS

 

3.1           Representations and Warranties.  The Holder represents and warrants that:

 

(a)           it has full legal capacity and authorization to execute and deliver and has duly executed and delivered this Agreement;

 

(b)           this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Holder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law);

 

(c)           the execution, delivery and performance by the Holder of this Agreement does not and will not violate any applicable provision of law or regulation or of any judgment, order or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority, or of any agreement of any nature whatsoever, binding upon such Holder or its assets;

 

(d)           all consents, approvals and exemptions required on the part of the Holder in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement have been obtained and are in full force and effect; and

 

(e)           other than as contemplated by the Subordinated Note and the Asset Purchase Agreement and any Related Agreements (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) and the QVC Agreement (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement), neither Buyer has any Indebtedness or other Liabilities outstanding in favor of the Holder.

 

3.2           Additional Covenants of the Holder.

 

(a)           Without the prior written consent of the Agent, the Holder shall not amend, modify or supplement any of the terms or conditions of any Subordinated Obligations, including but not limited to, the terms of the Subordinated Note and Sections 3.3(iii), 3.4 and 3.6 of the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

(b)           The Holder shall not sell, assign or otherwise transfer, in whole or in part, any Subordinated Obligations or any interest therein, or any right to receive any Earn-Out Payment unless the transferee or assignee thereof shall execute such documents as the Agent may reasonably request to evidence their assumption of all obligations arising under this Agreement, including a joinder substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

SECTION 4.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

4.1           Waivers by the Holder.  All Lender Obligations shall be deemed to have been made or incurred in reliance upon this Agreement.  The Holder expressly waives all notice of the acceptance by the Agent of the subordination and other provisions of this Agreement, and expressly waives proof of reliance by the Agent upon the subordination and other agreements herein set forth.  The Agent shall have no liability to the Holder for the failure to deliver any notice or other communication to the Holder, or for any and all actions which the Agent, in good faith and without willful misconduct, take or omit to take with respect to the agreements or instruments creating, evidencing or securing Lender Obligations or the collection of the Lender Obligations.

  

7

 

 

4.2           Continuing Agreement; Assignments Under the Credit Agreement.  This Agreement is a continuing agreement and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the Lender Obligations, (ii) be binding upon the Holder, the Buyers and their respective successors and assigns, and (iii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Agent and its respective successors, transferees and assigns.

 

4.3           Notices.  All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals and other communications required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be conclusively deemed to have been received by a party hereto and to be effective if delivered personally to such party, or sent by telecopy or by overnight courier service, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to such party at the address set forth below or to such other address as any party may give to the other in writing for such purpose:

 

	
To Agent:

	  	
MidMarket Capital Partners, LLC

	  	  	
430 Park Avenue

	  	  	
New York, New York  10022

	  	  	
Attn: Gabriel Gengler

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (866) 376-4175

	  	  	
Telephone:  (646) 202-9454

	  	  	  
	
With a copy to:

	  	
Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL

	  	  	
One East Fourth Street

	  	  	
Suite 1400

	  	  	
Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

	  	  	
Attn:  John S. Fronduti

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (513) 579-6457

	  	  	
Telephone: (513) 579-6400

	  	  	  
	
To Holder:

	  	
IM Ready-Made, LLC

	  	  	
475 Tenth Avenue, 4th Floor

	  	  	
New York, New York  10018

	  	  	
Attn:  President

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (347) 727-2479

	  	  	
Telephone:  (347) 727-2474

	 	 	 
	
With a copy to:

	  	Robinson & Cole, LLP
	 	 	1055 Washington Blvd.
	 	 	Stanford, Connecticut 06901
	 	 	Attn.:  Eric J. Dale, Esq.
	 	 	Telecopy:  (203) 462-7599
	 	 	Telephone:  (203) 462-7568

  

  

8

 

 

	
To Buyers:

	  	
IM Brands, LLC

	  	  	
475 Tenth Avenue, 4th Floor

	  	  	
New York, New York  10018

	  	  	
Attn:  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (347) 727-2479

	  	  	
Telephone:  (347) 727-2474

	  	  	  
	  	  	
XCel Brands, Inc

	  	  	
475 Tenth Avenue, 4th Floor

	  	  	
New York, New York  10018

	  	  	
Attn:  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial

          Officer

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (347) 727-2479

	  	  	
Telephone:  (347) 727-2474

	  	  	  
	
With a copy to:

	  	
Blank Rome LLP

	  	  	
The Chrysler Building

	  	  	
405 Lexington Avenue

	  	  	
New York, New York 10174

	  	  	
Attn:  Robert J. Mittman, Esq.

	  	  	
Telecopy:  (212) 885-5000

	  	  	
Telephone:  (212) 885-5555

 

All such communications, if personally delivered, will be conclusively deemed to have been received by a party hereto and to be effective when so delivered, or if sent by telecopy on the day on which transmitted, or if sent by overnight courier service, on the day after deposit thereof with such service, or if sent by certified or registered mail, on the third business day after the day on which deposited in the mail.

 

4.4           Buyers Consent.  Each Buyer acknowledges and consents to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and agrees to comply with the terms and conditions hereof.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Buyers will not make any payments in respect of the Subordinated Obligations other than in compliance with the terms and conditions hereof.

 

4.5           Governing Law.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

4.6           Jurisdiction.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AGREES AND SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE GENERAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

  

9

 

 

4.7           Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE PARTIES HERETO EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS, THE LENDER OBLIGATIONS OR ANY ACTUAL OR PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR OTHER MATTER CONTEMPLATED IN OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING.

  

10

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
AGENT:

	  
	
MIDMARKET CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC,

	
as Administrative Agent

	  
	
By:

	
  /s/ David Meyer

	
Name: David Meyer

	
Title: Managing Director

	  
	
HOLDER:

	  
	
IM READY-MADE, LLC

	  
	
By:

	
  /s/ Marisa Gardini

	
Name: Marisa Gardini

	
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

	  
	
BUYERS:

	  
	
XCEL BRANDS, INC.

	  
	
By:

	
  /s/ Robert W. D’Loren

	
Name: Robert W. D’Loren

	
Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

	
  Officer

	  
	
IM BRANDS, LLC

	  
	
By:

	
/s/ Robert W. D’Loren

	
Name: Robert W. D’Loren

	
Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

	
  Officer

  

11

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Joinder to Subordination Agreement

 

Reference is hereby made to the Subordination Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), dated as of September 26, 2011, among MidMarket Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, IM Ready-Made, LLC, a New York limited liability company, XCel Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation and IM Brands, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.  The undersigned, [NAME OF NEW HOLDER], a [__________] [corporation/limited liability company/limited partnership/ individual] (the “New Holder”) has acquired an interest in all or a portion of [the Subordinated Obligations] [the Earn-Out Payments].  By its execution below, the New Holder agrees to become, and does hereby become, a Holder under the Agreement and agrees to be bound by the Agreement and to comply with all obligations thereunder as if originally a party thereto.  By its execution below, the New Holder represents and warrants that (a) it has received a copy of the Agreement and made such review of the Agreement as it has determined is necessary and (b) as to itself, all of the representations and warranties of the Holder contained in the Agreement are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Holder has executed and delivered this Joinder to the Subordination Agreement as of this ___________ day of ____________, 20___.

 

	  	
[NAME OF NEW HOLDER]

	  	  
	  	
By:

	
      

	  	
Name:

	
     

	  	
Title:August 12, 2011

Mr. Todd Slater

1 Blackstone Place

Bronx NY 10471

Dear Todd:

This letter sets forth the terms and condition of the agreement (the “Agreement”) between Xcel Brands, Inc. ("Xcel”) and Todd Slater ("TS" and collectively with Xcel, the “Parties”) regarding TS contacting potential third party licensees or distributors (each, a “Potential Licensee” and collectively, the “Potential Licensees”) and introducing them to Xcel for purposes of Xcel entering into a License Agreement (as defined below) with a Potential Licensee:

	
  

	
1.

	
Contacting Potential Licensees.  During the Term (as defined below) TS may contact Potential Licensees and introduce them to Xcel, provided that TS has requested and obtained Xcel’s approval to do same, as follows:

	
  

	
(a.)

	
Request Notice.  Once TS has identified a Potential Licensee, TS shall send a written notice to Xcel (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A) (the “Request Notice”) setting forth the name and address of the Potential Licensee and a description of the product categories sought to be sold by the Potential Licensee. If, after receiving such Request Notice, Xcel desires TS to formally pursue discussions with the Potential Licensee for the purpose of having Xcel enter into a License Agreement or Distribution Agreement with the Potential Licensee, then Xcel shall countersign and return the Request Notice to TS within five (5) days of Xcel’s receipt of the Request Notice. If such Request Notice is not countersigned and returned to TS within such five (5) day period, then TS shall not have the right to engage in discussions with the Potential Licensee on behalf of Xcel.  If such Request Notice is countersigned and returned to TS within such five (5) day period, then TS shall have the right to engage in such discussions for a period not to exceed three (3) months from the date of the Request Notice.

	 	
(b.)

	
Initial Meeting.  If, after receiving a countersigned Request Notice from Xcel, TS arranges a meeting (the “Initial Meeting”) (which Initial Meeting shall be subject to Xcel’s advance written consent, which consent Xcel may withhold in its sole discretion) between representative(s) of Potential Licensee and Xcel, then such Potential Licensee shall be deemed a “TS Contact” hereunder. The Initial Meeting may take place in person or via telephone conference call.

 

 

5 PENN PLAZA, 23RD FLOOR • NEW YORK, NEW YORK • 10001

PHONE: 646.330.5161 • INFO@XCELBRANDS.COM

  

  

  

 

October 5, 2011

Page 2

 

	
  

	
2.

	
Commissions.  Following the Initial Meeting, if any, Xcel may, in its sole discretion, enter into a License Agreement or Distribution Agreement with the TS Contact. If, during the Term  (or after the Term as provided below), Xcel enters into a License Agreement or Distribution Agreement with the TS Contact then, and only in such event, shall Xcel pay a commission to TS (the “Commission”), as follows:

	
  

	
(a.)

	
License Agreement.  For a License Agreement, TS shall be entitled to receive a Commission equal to fifteen (15%) percent of all Net Royalties (as defined below) actually received by Xcel during the first term of such License Agreement. For purposes hereof, “License Agreement” means a contract between Xcel and a TS Contact which grants to the TS Contact a license to use Xcel’s trademarks, tradedress, logos, or other brand identifying information  associated with the name “ISAAC MIZRAHI” (collectively, the “Trademarks”) in connection with the marketing, distribution and sale of merchandise (i) manufactured by the TS Contact (or its approved subcontractors) and (ii) displaying (or otherwise incorporating) the Trademark(s), all in exchange for agreed upon compensation, typically a royalty based on sales of such merchandise. For the purposes hereof, “Net Royalties” means the royalty payments actually received by Xcel from the TS Contact under the License Agreement (excluding any advertising royalties and any taxes, foreign or domestic, withheld from or added to any royalties paid to Xcel) less any fees, costs and/or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Xcel in connection with the enforcement by Xcel of its rights to receive royalties under the License Agreement.

	 	
(b.)

	
Payment.  Commissions shall be payable within thirty (30) days of Xcel’s receipt of Net Royalties or Net Sales, as the case may be, from a TS Contact. Xcel shall provide TS with a copy of any License Agreement or Distribution Agreement entered into by Xcel hereunder. Xcel shall not be obligated to reimburse TS for any of TS’s out-of-pocket costs or expenses hereunder without Xcel’s prior written consent, which consent Xcel may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. Other than Commissions, if any, TS shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation from Xcel for its services hereunder.

 

	
  

	
3.

	
Term.  This term of this Agreement shall commence as of the date hereof and continue in effect for a period of one (1) year, unless terminated earlier as provided below (the “Term”).  Either Xcel or TS may terminate this Agreement for any reason effective immediately upon written notice thereof to the other (a “Termination”).

 

	
  

	
4.

	
Post-Term Commissions.  If, within a period of one (1) year from the expiration date or Termination of this Agreement, Xcel shall enter into a License Agreement or Distribution Agreement with a TS Contact (who was introduced to Xcel by TS during the Term in accordance with this Agreement), then Xcel shall pay a Commission to TS for the first term of such agreement in the same manner as any License Agreement or Distribution Agreement, as the case may be, entered into by Xcel during the Term hereof.

  

  

  

 

October 5, 2011

Page 3

 

 

	
  

	
5.

	
Confidentiality.  In connection with a License Agreement or Distribution Agreement, or otherwise, TS acknowledges that it may be exposed to or receive Confidential Information of Xcel. All such Confidential Information shall remain strictly confidential, and shall not (whether during or after the Term) be used by TS or disclosed by TS to any third party without Xcel’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by Xcel if such use or disclosure is necessary for TS to render its services hereunder. For purposes hereof, “Confidential Information” means any information, trade secrets, materials, documents (including the terms of this Agreement), communications and data, whether oral or written,  relating to or arising from the business activities, plans and/or affairs of Xcel, including, but not limited to, information relating to Xcel’s existing and contemplated: products or services; customer lists and other customer data; supplier lists and other supplier data; sales, costs and other financial data; marketing concepts and plans; pricing and billing information; and any other information regarding Xcel that is or should be reasonably understood to be confidential or proprietary. However, Confidential Information shall not include information that is or has become publicly known through no fault or wrongdoing by TS.

TS acknowledges that any breach by TS of the above confidentiality provisions will cause irreparable injury to Xcel, and, therefore, in addition to any other remedies available to Xcel, Xcel shall have the right to obtain injunctive relief against the continuation by TS of any breach of such provisions, and a decree for specific performance of the terms of this Agreement. Xcel shall not be required to show actual damage or post any bond or undertaking as a precondition to such relief.

 

	
  

	
6.

	
Authority.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to create any partnership, joint venture, employer-employee relationship, or principal-agent relationship between the parties.  TS is an independent contractor and shall be solely responsible for all taxes, withholdings, and other similar statutory obligations.  TS shall have no authority hereunder or otherwise to enter into any agreement or commitment on behalf of Xcel, including, but not limited to, any License Agreement or Distribution Agreement. TS acknowledges that it does not have any proprietary rights in and to the Trademarks and it will not hold itself out as having any such rights or any other rights or powers inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

	
  

	
7.

	
Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor the rights granted to TS hereunder may be assigned, sub-licensed, or transferred in whole or in part by TS. Assignments in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void.

 

	
  

	
8.

	
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties, and terminates and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings (both oral and written) between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof.

  

  

  

 

October 5, 2011

Page 4

 

 

	
  

	
9.

	
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.  Any claim or controversy arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be submitted to the Federal, State or Civil courts sitting in New York County, New York, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue.  Each party hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of those courts in any such action or proceeding.

If the foregoing accurately reflects our understanding and agreement, please sign where indicated below and return one copy of this letter to me for our records.

 

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Robert W. D’Loren

Robert W. D’Loren

Chairman, CEO

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:

By:/s/ Todd Slater

Todd Slater

 

  

  

  

October 5, 2011

Page 5

 

 

EXHIBIT A (Request Notice)

 

Mr. Robert D’Loren

XCEL BRANDS, INC.

5 Penn Plaza

Suite 2335

New York, NY 10001

 

Re:  Notification of Potential Licensee

 

Dear Bob:

 

We refer to our letter agreement, dated as of August 12, 2011 (the “Agreement”). We are notifying you that we would like to introduce you to:

 

 

___________________________________________ (fill in name and address)

 

 

for purposes of discussing a potential [license agreement] [distribution agreement] for the following product(s): _________________________

 

Please acknowledge that you wish for me to pursue this contact by signing where indicated below and returning one copy of this letter to me for our records.

 

 

	 	 
Sincerely yours,

	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Date

	
By: 

	 	 
	 	 	 
Todd Slater

	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to

This  _____ day of ________, 2011

XCEL BRANDS, INC.

By: ______________________

Name:

Title:

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00194-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00194-of-00352.parquet"}]]