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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

JOE'S JEANS INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         
  (5) Total fee paid:
         

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
         
  (3) Filing Party:
         
  (4) Date Filed:
         

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JOE'S JEANS INC.
2340 South Eastern Avenue
Commerce, California 90040
(323) 837-3700

March 11, 201310, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

        You are cordially invited to attend the 20132014 annual meeting of stockholders of Joe's Jeans Inc., or Joe's, which will be held at the DoubleTree by HiltonSofitel Hotel Los Angeles—Commerce, 5757 Telegraph Road, Commerce,Angeles, 8555 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90040,90048, on Monday, AprilThursday, May 8, 2013.2014. The 20132014 annual meeting of stockholders will begin promptly at 2:9:00 p.m.a.m. local time.

        The accompanying notice of annual meeting and proxy statement, which you are urged to read carefully, provides important information regarding the business to be conducted at the annual meeting.

        You are requested to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the enclosed envelope or vote by telephone or Internet, whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously submitted a proxy card. REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN OR WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AND VOTED.Regardless of the number of shares you own or whether you plan to attend the annual meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. If you hold your shares in "street name" (that is, through a broker, bank or other nominee), please complete, date and sign the voting instruction form that has been provided to you by your broker, bank or other nominee and promptly return it in the enclosed envelope or review the instructions in the materials forwarded by your broker, bank or other nominee regarding the option if any, to vote on the Internet or by telephone. If you hold your shares directly and plan to attend the meeting in person, please remember to bring a form of personal identification with you and, if you are acting as a proxy for another stockholder, please bring written confirmation from the record owner that you are acting as a proxy. If you hold your shares in "street name" and plan to attend the meeting in person, please remember to bring a form of personal identification with you and proof of beneficial ownership.

        On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your support and continued interest in our company.Joe's.

  Sincerely,

 

 


GRAPHIC

Samuel J. Furrow
  Samuel J. Furrow
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOE'S JEANS INC.

        This notice of annual meeting and proxy statement and proxy are first being mailed on or about March 13, 201317, 2014 to our common stockholders.


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JOE'S JEANS INC.

2340 South Eastern Avenue
Commerce, California 90040
(323) 837-3700

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRILTHURSDAY, MAY 8, 20132014

Time and Date 2:9:00 p.m.a.m., local time on Monday, AprilThursday, May 8, , 20132014

Place

 

DoubleTree by HiltonSofitel Hotel Los Angeles—Commerce, 5757 Telegraph Road, Commerce,Angeles, 8555 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 9004090048

Items of Business

 

(1) To elect the eight director nominees named in the attached proxy statement to serve on the Board of Directors until the 20142015 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified;

 

 

(2) To approve an amendment to our Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the amount of authorized shares of our common stock from 100 million to 120 million in order to permit the issuance of the common stock upon conversion of the convertible notes (the "Buyer Notes") issued in connection with our acquisition of Hudson Clothing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Hudson");



(3) To approve, under applicable NASDAQ Listing Rules, the issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Buyer Notes issued in connection with our acquisition of Hudson in excess of 19.99% of the common stock outstanding prior to such issuance;



(4) To approve an amendment to the Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the reservation of the total shares available for issuance to 11,825,000 shares of common stock;



(5) To conduct an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation;



(6) To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2013;2014; and

 

 

(3)(7) To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Record Date

 

You can vote if, at the close of business on February 21, 2013,March 14, 2014, you were a holder of record of our common stock.

Proxy Voting

 

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote promptly by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card or by telephone or Internet, or if you hold your shares in street name using the voting instruction cardform provided by your broker, bank or nominee, or by accessing the website or toll-free number indicated on the voting instructions accompanying your proxy card to vote via the Internet or phone.

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        The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote to:

        Pursuant to the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a proxy card, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet.

        Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on AprilMay 8, 2013.2014. This proxy statement and our 20122013 Annual Report and the Hudson Financials (as defined below) are available free of charge athttp://www.joesjeans.com/2013proxy.2014proxy.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 


GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Samuel J. Furrow
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Commerce, California
March 11, 201310, 2014

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 PAGE 

STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

  1 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

  2 

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  914 

PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

22

PROPOSAL 3—APPROVAL, UNDER APPLICABLE NASDAQ LISTING RULES, THE ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK UPON CONVERSION OF THE BUYER NOTES

27

PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

30

PROPOSAL 5—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

37

PROPOSAL 6—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  1738 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

  1739 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  1940 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

  2041 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

  3052 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

  3153 

SECTION 16 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

  3355 

FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  3356 

OTHER BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED

  3456

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

56

APPENDIX A: AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


 

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STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategies, capital and other expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities for existing products, plans and objectives of management and other matters. Statements in this document that are not historical facts are identified as forward-looking statements for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

        When we use the words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "believe," "should," "likely" and similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this proxy statement and any other documents we incorporate by reference in this proxy statement. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

        These forward-looking statements, including statements relating to future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs and income, wherever they occur in this proxy statement, are estimates reflecting our best judgment. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this proxy statement and those discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, reports, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 20122013 filed with the SEC on February 21, 201313, 2014 and our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. You should read and consider carefully the information about these and other risks set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings.

        As used in this proxy statement, the terms "we," "us," "our," "Joe's," and "Joe's Jeans" refer to Joe's Jeans Inc. and our subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context indicates otherwise.


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS
AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

        Although we encourage you to read the proxy statement in its entirety, we include these "Questions and Answers" to provide background information and brief answers to several questions that you may have about the proxy materials in general.

Q:
Why am I receiving these materials?



A:
The Board of Directors of Joe's, or our Board of Directors, is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders, which will take place on Monday, AprilThursday, May 8, 2013.2014. Our common stockholders are invited to attend the annual meeting and are entitled to and requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement.

Q:
What information is contained in this proxy statement?

A:
The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting, the voting process, information including compensation concerning directors and our most highly paid executive officers, and certain other required information.

Q:
What proposals will be voted on at the annual meeting?



A:
The proposals scheduled to be voted on at the annual meeting are:

Q:
How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?



A:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote your shares:

"FOR" each of the eight director nominees to the Board of Directors;Directors named in this proxy statement;

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Q:
Why are we seeking stockholder approval of Proposals 2 and 3?

A:
On September 30, 2013, we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests in Hudson (the "Acquisition"), a designer and marketer of women's and men's premium branded denim apparel, for an aggregate purchase price consisting of approximately $65.4 million in cash and approximately $32.4 million in Buyer Notes (face amount). We also issued promissory notes, bearing no interest, for approximately $1.2 million in aggregate principal amount payable on April 1, 2014 to certain optionholders of Hudson. Hudson represents approximately 40% of our consolidated assets as of November 30, 2013.

We are seeking stockholder approval of Proposal 2, because it is necessary to increase the amount of authorized common stock permitted to be issued under Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order to have a sufficient amount of common stock available to allow the issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Buyer Notes issued in connection with the Acquisition and to continue to have sufficient common stock available for other general corporate purposes on an ongoing basis, including the proposed increase in shares reserved under the Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.

We are seeking stockholder approval of Proposal 3, because pursuant to the terms of the Buyer Notes, we have agreed to seek stockholder approval, under applicable NASDAQ Listing Rules, of the issuance of the common stock upon conversion of the Buyer Notes. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and, as a result, we are subject to the NASDAQ's Listing Rules. The potential issuance of the shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Buyer Notes may implicate certain of the NASDAQ listing standards requiring prior stockholder approval in order to maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Global Market, including the following:

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(a) requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with the acquisition of another company if such securities are not issued in a public offering and (A) have, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock); or (B) the number of shares of common stock to be issued is or will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the stock or securities.

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(b) requires stockholder approval when any issuance or potential issuance will result in a "change of control" of the issuer (which may be deemed to occur if after a transaction a single investor or affiliated investor group acquires, or has the right to acquire, as little as 20% of the common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) or voting power of an issuer and such ownership would be the largest ownership position of the issuer)

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Q:
What are the terms of the Buyer Notes?

A:
The Buyer Notes were issued with different interest rates and conversion features for Hudson's management stockholders and Fireman Capital CPF Hudson Co-Invest LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("Fireman"), respectively. Interest on the convertible notes will be paid in a combination of cash and additional notes ("PIK Notes").

Buyer Notes in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $22.9 million (face amount) were issued to Hudson's management stockholders (the "Management Notes"). The Management Notes are structurally and contractually subordinated to our senior debt and mature on March 31, 2019. The Management Notes accrue interest quarterly on the outstanding principal amount (i) from September 30, 2013 until the earlier to occur of the date of conversion of the notes or November 30, 2014 at a rate of 10% per annum, which will be payable 7.68% in cash and 2.32% in PIK Notes ("PIK Interest"), (ii) from December 1, 2014 until the earlier to occur of the date of conversion of the notes or September 30, 2016 at a rate of 10% per annum, which interest will payable in cash, and (iii) from October 1, 2016 until the earlier to occur of the date of conversion of the notes or the date such principal amount is paid in full at a rate of 10.928% per annum, which interest will be payable in cash. Payment of interest at the cash pay rate under clause (ii) or (iii), as applicable, for any payment date will be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) the issuance of the financial statements of our company and our consolidated subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2014 and for each fiscal quarter occurring thereafter, (ii) the "Leverage Ratio" (as defined in our term loan credit agreement) as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter is less than 3.21x to 1.00 and (iii) the "Excess Availability" (as defined in our term loan credit agreement) as of such date shall not be less than $18,000,000 (which Excess Availability may be comprised of up to $4,000,000 in "Unrestricted Cash" (as defined in our term loan credit agreement)). If such conditions are not satisfied as of any interest payment date, then the cash component of such interest payment will be payable 7.68% in cash and the remainder will be payable in PIK Interest. The Management Notes become convertible by each of the holders beginning September 30, 2015 and ending March 31, 2019, into shares of our common stock, cash, or a combination of cash and common stock, at our election.

The approximately $9.6 million (face amount) in aggregate principal amount of Buyer Notes issued to Fireman (the "Fireman Note") are structurally and contractually subordinated to Company's senior debt and mature on March 31, 2019. The Fireman Note accrues interest quarterly on the outstanding principal amount (i) from September 30, 2013 until the earlier to occur of the date of conversion of the notes or November 30, 2014 at a rate of 6.5% per annum, which will be payable 3.0% in cash and 3.5% in PIK Interest, (ii) from December 1, 2014 until the earlier to occur of the date of conversion of the notes or September 30, 2016 at a rate of 6.5% per annum, which


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Q:
Are holders of the Buyer Notes eligible to vote on Proposals 2 and 3?

A:
No. Holders of the Buyer Notes are not eligible to vote on Proposals 2 and 3, unless such holders otherwise hold shares of our common stock that are eligible to vote at the annual meeting.

Q:
Have any of our stockholders agreed to vote in favor of Proposals 2 and 3?

A:
Yes, as previously disclosed, certain stockholders of the company holding approximately 23% of our Company's voting power, have each entered into a letter solely between such stockholder and our company (the "Voting Letters") to vote in favor of authorizing us to issue, at our election, the maximum amount of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Buyer Notes, the approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the amount of authorized shares of Common Stock in an amount sufficient to permit the issuance of the Common Stock upon conversion of all Buyers Notes and the approval of any other matters related to the Acquisition. Each of the Voting Letters is substantially the same. We do not know how any other significant stockholders intend to vote their shares at the annual meeting.

Q:
What effect will the failure to approve Proposals 2 and 3 have on the Acquisition?

A:
None. The Acquisition was completed on September 30, 2013.

Q:
Did Joe's incur indebtedness in connection with the Acquisition and will the outcome of the votes on Proposals 2 and 3 impact Joe's need for additional indebtedness?

A:
We incurred substantial indebtedness to finance the acquisition of Hudson, including approximately $32.4 million (face amount) in the aggregate principal amount of Buyer Notes, a $50 million revolving credit facility and a $60 million term loan facility. In addition, Hudson is now a borrower and/or credit party under these financing facilities. In connection with these agreements, we have certain restrictions on our ability and our subsidiaries' ability, to create or incur indebtedness; create liens; consolidate, merge, liquidate or dissolve; sell, lease or otherwise transfer any of its assets; substantially change the nature of its business; make investments or acquisitions; pay dividends; enter into transactions with affiliates; amend material documents, prepay certain indebtedness and make capital expenditures with certain exceptions. In addition, all of our assets, including our trademarks, are pledged as collateral under the loans. The increased indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions. The increased indebtedness will also increase borrowing costs and the covenants in the agreements may also limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate requirements. We will also be required to dedicate a larger portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for other purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.

If Proposals 2 and 3 are not approved, upon the conversion of the Buyer Notes, we may need to incur additional indebtedness to settle the conversion in cash or a combination of cash and stock since we can only issue shares up to the Exchange Cap. To the extent that Proposal 3 is not


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Q:
Where can I find more financial and other information regarding Hudson and the Acquisition?

A:
Certain historical financial statements of Hudson and pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Joe's together with Hudson as of and for the nine months ended August 31, 2013 and for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012 (collectively, the "Hudson Financials") were filed as exhibits to Amendment No. 1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on December 6, 2013 (the "Hudson 8-K/A"). In addition, our 2013 Annual Report contains additional financial information, disclosure and analysis regarding the Acquisition of Hudson and its impact on our Company. The Hudson 8-K/A and 2013 Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and a copy of the Hudson Financials and 2013 Annual Report are being mailed with this proxy statement.

Q:
What shares can I vote?



A:
Each share of our common stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on February 21, 2013,March 14, 2014, or the Record Date, is entitled to vote for all proposals being voted upon at the annual meeting. You may cast one vote per share of common stock held by you as of the Record Date. These shares include shares that are (1) held directly in your name as the common stockholder of record, and (2) shares held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. As of the Record Date,March 10, 2014, we had 68,071,81968,935,458 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, (includingwhich number we expect will be unchanged as of the addition of certain shares we hold as treasury shares in a segregated brokerage account)Record Date, and 840827 common stockholders of record.


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Q:
What is the difference between holding shares as a common stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?



A:
Most of our common stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.shares held through a broker, bank or other nominee, or beneficially owned.

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Q:
How can I attend the annual meeting?



A:
You are entitled to attend the annual meeting only if you are a Joe's common stockholder of record as of the close of business on the Record Date or you hold a valid proxy for the annual meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you are not a common stockholder of record, but hold the shares through a broker, bank or nominee (i.e., in street name), you shouldwill be required to provide proof of beneficial ownership on the Record Date, such as your most recent account statement prior to February 21, 2013,March 14, 2014, a copy of the voting instruction cardform provided by your broker, bank or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, you will not be admitted to the annual meeting.

Q:
How can I vote my shares in person at the annual meeting?



A:
Shares held in your name as the common stockholder of record may be voted in person at the annual meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted in person only if you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, we recommend thaturge you alsoto submit your proxy or voting instructions as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting.


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Q:
How can I vote my shares without attending the annual meeting?



A:
Whether you hold your shares directly as the common stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the meeting. If you are a common stockholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy card, which is accompanying this proxy statement. If you hold shares beneficially in street name, you may vote by submitting a voting instruction cardform to your broker, bank or nominee. For directions on how to vote, please refer to the instructions below and those included on your proxy card, or for shares held

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