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.           )

 

 

 

 

 

CHEROKEE INC.

5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600

Sherman Oaks, California 91411

April 27, 2016

To my fellow stockholders,

I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Cherokee Inc. (“Cherokee”), to be held on Monday, June 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at Cherokee’s corporate headquarters, located at 5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600, Sherman Oaks, California 91411.

We have elected to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders on the Internet. We believe that these rules allow us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of printing and delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting.

The business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting is set forth in the formal notice of annual meeting of stockholders and proxy statement that accompany this letter.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible. You are urged to vote your shares electronically through the Internet, by telephone or, if you have requested and received a paper copy of the proxy statement, by completing, signing and returning the paper proxy card enclosed with the proxy statement. Voting on the Internet or by telephone will eliminate the need to return your proxy card.

Thank you for your ongoing support of and continued interest in Cherokee

 

 

CHEROKEE INC.

5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600

Sherman Oaks, California 91411

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On June 6, 2016

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Cherokee Inc. (“Cherokee”) will be held at Cherokee’s corporate headquarters, located at 5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600, Sherman Oaks, California 91411, on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) for the following purposes:

1.To elect six directors to the Board of Directors, who will serve until Cherokee’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;

2.To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as Cherokee’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017;

3.To approve the amendment and restatement of the Cherokee Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”) to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares available under the 2013 Plan by 500,000 shares;

4.To hold a non‑binding advisory vote on Cherokee’s executive compensation; and

5.To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2016 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting at our principal executive offices during normal business hours for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Cherokee’s Board of Directors urges each stockholder to read carefully the accompanying proxy statement.

Sherman Oaks, California

April 27, 2016

 

 

 

CHEROKEE INC.

5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600

Sherman Oaks, California 91411

PROXY STATEMENT

2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On June 6, 2016

GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and all related proxy materials are being furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) of Cherokee Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Cherokee”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), of proxies to be used at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders to be held at Cherokee’s corporate headquarters, located at 5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600, Sherman Oaks, California 91411, on June 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). Stockholders are being asked to vote at the Annual Meeting upon (1) the election of six directors to the Board of Directors, (2) the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as Cherokee’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017 (“Fiscal 2017”), (3) the amendment and restatement of the Cherokee Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”) to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares available under the 2013 Plan by 500,000 shares, (4) a non‑binding advisory vote on our executive compensation, and (5) such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. These proxy materials are being provided to stockholders on or before April 27, 2016.

Internet Delivery of Proxy Materials

In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing to each stockholder of record a printed copy of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, including this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10‑K (the “Annual Report”) for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 (“Fiscal 2016”), we are permitted to furnish these proxy materials by providing access to them on the Internet. As a result, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) was mailed to all stockholders of record on April 27, 2016, which includes instructions on how the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting may be accessed and reviewed on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. The Notice of Internet Availability also includes instructions on how you may cast your vote on the Internet. You are encouraged to access and review all of the important information contained in these proxy materials before voting.

Most stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting unless they request them, in which case printed copies of the proxy materials and a paper proxy card will be provided at no charge. Any stockholder may request to receive the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting in printed form by mail or electronically by e‑mail on an ongoing basis until the one‑year anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting by following the instructions set forth in the Notice of Internet Availability.

Record Date, Outstanding Shares

Our Board of Directors has fixed April 7, 2016 as the record date to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were 8,720,012 shares of common stock outstanding. Each stockholder of record at the close of business on April 7, 2016 is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock then held on each matter to come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Quorum and Voting Requirements

A majority of the votes eligible to be cast at the Annual Meeting by holders of our common stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for a quorum. Under Delaware law, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or “broker non‑votes” will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Broker non‑votes occur when shares are held by a broker or nominee, the beneficial owner of the shares does not provide the broker or nominee with instructions regarding how to vote on a particular proposal, and the broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on the proposal because it constitutes a “non‑routine” matter. See the explanation under “Effect of Not Casting Your Vote” below for further information regarding the effect of broker non‑votes on each proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The voting requirement for each of the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting is discussed under the respective Item in this Proxy Statement.

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

Stockholders of Record:  You are a stockholder of record if at the close of business on the record date your shares were registered directly in your name with Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our transfer agent. If you are a stockholder of record, there are several ways for you to vote your shares, as follows:

•By Mail.  If you receive printed proxy materials, you may submit your vote by completing, signing, and dating the proxy card provided to you and returning it in the prepaid envelope. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the proxy card. Proxy cards submitted by mail must be received no later than the Annual Meeting to be voted at the Annual Meeting.

•By Telephone or on the Internet.  You may vote your shares by telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions provided on the proxy card (for voting by telephone) or on the Notice of Internet Availability (if voting on the Internet). If you vote by telephone or on the Internet, you do not need to return a paper proxy card by mail. Internet and telephone voting are available 24 hours a day. Votes submitted by telephone or through the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 2016.

•In Person at the Annual Meeting.  You may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we recommend that you also submit your proxy card or vote by telephone or on the Internet by the applicable deadline so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.

If you are a stockholder of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Annual Meeting by: (i) submitting a later‑dated vote in person at the Annual Meeting, by Internet, by telephone, or by mail; or (ii) delivering instructions to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices. Any notice of revocation or new proxy card that is mailed to us must include the stockholder’s name and must be received prior to the Annual Meeting to be effective, and any later‑dated vote by Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 2016 to be effective. Only your latest-received vote that is received by the deadline applicable to each voting method will be counted. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting after having submitted a valid proxy will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of your proxy. In order to do so, you will be required to give oral notice of your intention to vote in person to the inspector of elections at the Annual Meeting.

Beneficial Owners:  You are a beneficial owner if at the close of business on the record date your shares were held by a brokerage firm or other nominee and not in your name. Being a beneficial owner means that your shares are held in “street name.” As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions your broker or other nominee provides. If you are a beneficial owner of your shares, you should receive a Notice of Internet Availability or other voting instructions from the broker or other nominee holding your shares. You should follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability or other voting instructions provided by your broker or nominee in order to instruct your broker or nominee on how to vote your shares. The availability of telephone and Internet voting will depend on the voting process of the broker or nominee. Shares owned

beneficially may be voted in person at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker or nominee holding your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.

If your shares are held in “street name,” you should follow the directions provided by your broker or other nominee regarding how to revoke your proxy.

Effect of Not Casting Your Vote

If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a valid proxy that is not revoked before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting and that does not provide voting instructions with respect to your shares, all shares represented by your proxy will be voted FOR the directors nominated by the Board of Directors, FOR the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as Cherokee’s registered independent public accounting firm for Fiscal 2017, FOR the amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares available under the 2013 Plan by 500,000 shares and FOR the advisory vote approving Cherokee’s executive compensation.

If you hold your shares in street name, it is critical that you provide voting instructions to your broker or other nominee if you want your vote to count in the election of directors (Item 1 of this Proxy Statement), the approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan to, among other things, increase the aggregate number of shares available under the 2013 Plan by 500,000 shares (Item 3 of this Proxy Statement) and the advisory vote on executive compensation (Item 4 of this Proxy Statement). These proposals constitute “non‑routine” matters on which a broker or other nominee is not entitled to vote shares held for beneficial owners absent specific voting instructions from the beneficial owners. As a result, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your broker on how to vote on Items 1, 3 and 4, no vote will be cast on these proposals on your behalf. Your broker will, however, have discretion to vote uninstructed shares on the ratification of the appointment of Cherokee’s independent registered public accounting firm (Item 2 of this Proxy Statement), which constitutes a “routine” matter on which a broker or other nominee is entitled to vote shares held for beneficial owners even without voting instructions from the beneficial owners. A broker non‑vote will not affect the outcome of the vote on a proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast (Item 1 of this Proxy Statement) or the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (Items 2, 3 and 4 of this Proxy Statement).

Abstentions and “withhold” votes will not affect the outcome of the vote on any proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast (Item 1 of this Proxy Statement) or any proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (Items 2, 3 and 4 of this Proxy Statement).

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table includes information as to the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the following:

•each stockholder known by Cherokee to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of its common stock;

•each director and director nominee;

•all persons serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during Fiscal 2016, as well as our other executive officer serving during Fiscal 2016 (our Chief Operating Officer) (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”); and

•all of Cherokee’s current executive officers and directors as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the notes to the table below, to Cherokee’s knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock identified as beneficially owned by them, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable community property laws. Beneficial ownership includes any shares that the person

has the right to acquire within 60 days after April 7, 2016, through the exercise or conversion of any stock options or other rights or vesting of any restricted stock units. Shares that a person has the right to acquire are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. All ownership percentages are based on 8,720,012 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 7, 2016.

Unless otherwise indicated in the notes to the table below, all information is as of April 7, 2016 and the address of each director and Named Executive Officer is c/o Cherokee Inc., 5990 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 600, Sherman Oaks, California 91411. The address of each and 5%+ stockholder listed in the table below is reflected in the notes to the table.

*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%, based on shares of common stock outstanding as of April 7, 2016.

ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect six directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. All six incumbent directors have been nominated for re‑election for one‑year terms. None of the nominees has any family relationship to any other nominee or to any executive officer of Cherokee.

In the event that any nominee for director should become unavailable, it is intended that votes will be cast, pursuant to the enclosed proxy, for such substitute nominee as may be nominated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has no present knowledge that any of the persons named will be unavailable to serve.

Information Concerning Directors and Director Nominees

The following table sets forth the principal occupation or employment and principal business of the employer, if any, of each director and nominee for director, as well as his age, business experience and qualifications, other directorships held by him and the period during which he has served as a director of Cherokee. In addition to the information presented below regarding each nominee’s specific experience, qualifications and attributes that led our Board to the conclusion that he should be nominated to serve as a director, we also believe that all of our director nominees have demonstrated integrity, honesty, adherence to high ethical standards and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as business acumen and a commitment to Cherokee, in their past service on the Board. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement as a nominee for election as a director and has agreed to serve as a director if elected.

 

 

 

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast on this proposal at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The six nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be duly elected as directors. Abstentions and broker non‑votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE

“FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED IN THIS ITEM 1.

 

ITEM 2. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF OUR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”) as Cherokee’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2017 and has further directed that the selection of the independent public accountant be submitted for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Ernst & Young has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since December 19, 2012 and audited Cherokee’s financial statements for all of our fiscal years ended after that date.

Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young as Cherokee’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required by Cherokee’s Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain the firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent public accountant at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Cherokee and its stockholders.

Independent Public Accountant Fees and Services

The fees for professional services rendered for Cherokee by its independent public accountant during Fiscal 2016 and our fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 (“Fiscal 2015”) consist of the following:

Pre‑Approval Policies and Procedures

Cherokee’s Audit Committee annually reviews and pre‑approves certain audit and permissible non‑audit services that may be provided by our independent public accountant and establishes a pre‑approved aggregate fee level for all of these services. Any proposed service not included within the list of pre‑approved services or any proposed service that will cause Cherokee to exceed the pre‑approved aggregate fee level requires specific pre‑approval by the Audit Committee. All of the services rendered by our independent public accountant during Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 were pre‑approved by the Audit Committee.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal. Broker non‑votes are not expected to result from the vote on this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG AS CHEROKEE’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2017.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CHEROKEE INC. 2013 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Background

On April 7, 2016, upon the recommendation of our Compensation Committee, the Board approved an amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan (as so amended and restated, the “Amended Plan”), subject to stockholder approval.

The primary purpose of the Amended Plan is to increase the authorized shares available for issuance thereunder by 500,000 shares. We are asking our stockholders to approve the Amended Plan so that we can continue to use the Amended Plan to achieve the Company’s performance, recruiting, retention and incentive goals. As of January 30, 2016, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year, there were approximately 31,576 shares previously authorized under the 2013 Plan that remained available for awards. Based on our prior grant practices, and assuming future grant practices are consistent with past practice, we expect that the addition of 500,000 shares will be sufficient to provide a competitive equity incentive program for approximately three years. If the Amended Plan is not approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, we anticipate exhausting the existing share reserve before the end of Fiscal 2017.

Our stockholders initially approved the 2013 Plan effective July 16, 2013. The 2013 Plan replaced the 2006 Incentive Award Plan (except with respect to outstanding awards) (the “Predecessor Plan”), which was an amendment and restatement of the 2003 Incentive Award Plan. No future grants may be awarded under the Predecessor Plan, but outstanding awards previously granted under the Predecessor Plan continue to be governed by its terms. If approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the Amended Plan will become effective as of the date of stockholder approval, which is currently anticipated to be June 6, 2016, and the term of the Amended Plan will be extended until April 7, 2026, which is the tenth anniversary of the date the Board approved the Amended Plan. If the Amended Plan is not approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, then the 2013 Plan, as approved effective July 16, 2013, will remain in effect with only any shares previously authorized under the 2013 Plan remaining available for future awards under the 2013 Plan. 

We are also seeking stockholder approval of the Amended Plan to satisfy the stockholder approval requirement under Section 162(m) (“Section 162(m)”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that we may grant awards under the Amended Plan that are intended to qualify for exclusion from the federal tax deduction limitation under Section 162(m). Section 162(m) places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount we may deduct in any one year for compensation paid to our chief executive officer and each of our other three most highly‑paid executive officers other than our chief financial officer. Compensation that qualifies as performance‑based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) is not subject to this deductibility limit. For awards under the Amended Plan to qualify for this exception, stockholders must approve the material terms of the Amended Plan under which the awards are paid. The material terms of the Amended Plan include (i) the employees eligible to receive awards under the Amended Plan, (ii) a description of the business criteria on which the performance goals are based, and (iii) the maximum amount of compensation that could be paid to any employee if the performance goals are attained. This information is provided in the description of the Amended Plan below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules and regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) are complicated and subject to change from time to time, sometimes with retroactive effect. In addition, a number of requirements must be met in order for particular compensation to so qualify. As such, there can be no assurance that any compensation awarded or paid under the Amended Plan will be deductible under all circumstances.

We strongly believe that the approval of the Amended Plan is essential to our continued success. The Compensation Committee, the Board and management believe that equity awards (i) motivate high levels of performance, align the interests of our personnel and stockholders by giving directors, executive officers, other employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the Company, and provide an effective means of recognizing their contributions to the success of the Company and (ii) are a competitive necessity in our industry, and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified key personnel who help the Company meet its goals, as well as rewarding and encouraging current directors, executive officers, other employees and consultants. The Board and management believe that the ability to grant equity awards will be important to the future success of the

Company. Accordingly, the Board recommends that stockholders approve the Amended Plan. 

A general description of the Amended Plan is set forth below. This description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Amended Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.

Key Data

Outstanding Share and Outstanding Award Information

The following table includes information regarding outstanding equity awards and shares available for future awards under the 2013 Plan as of January 30, 2016 (and without giving effect to approval of the Amended Plan under this Item 3):

 

Because the plan administrator (the “Administrator”) will make future awards at its discretion, the future benefits that will be received under the Amended Plan by particular individuals or groups are not determinable at this time.

As of April 7, 2016, our executive officers held the number of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units issued under the 2013 Plan indicated below.

 

 

As of April 7, 2016, our non‑employee directors held the number of stock options and RSUs issued under the 2013 Plan indicated below.

 

As of April 7, 2016, no associates of such directors or executive officers or nominees have received options, RSUs, restricted shares, or performance stock units under the 2013 Plan.

As of April 7, 2016, all employees (not including the executive officers) as a group had 86,502 stock options outstanding under the 2013 Plan. As of April 7, 2016, all employees (not including the executive officers) as a group had 6,000 RSUs and 15,000 performance stock units. As of April 7, 2016, no such employees held restricted shares issued under the 2013 Plan. No other person has received or is expected to receive 5% or more of the total stock options or other awards under the 2013 Plan.

The closing price of a share of our common stock on April 7, 2016 was $16.80. 

Summary of the Amended Plan

A general description of the Amended Plan is set forth below. This description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Amended Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.

Share Reserve.  The maximum number of shares of Company common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the Amended Plan is being increased by 500,000 shares, from 1,190,485 to 1,690,485. This includes the portion of the following share reserves that remain available for future awards: (i) 700,000 shares initially reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan; (ii) 121,484 shares previously reserved but unissued under the Predecessor Plan; and (iii) shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the Predecessor Plan (369,001 as of April 7, 2016), which will be available for issuance under the Amended Plan if they would have returned to the Predecessor Plan as a result of the forfeiture, termination, repurchase, expiration, or, with respect to certain awards under the 2003 Incentive Award Plan only, net exercise or tax withholding of such awards. The number of shares that actually are added to the Amended Plan on account of such forfeitures, terminations, repurchase, expirations net exercise, or tax withholding likely will be substantially fewer than the total number of shares underlying the outstanding Predecessor Plan awards, as it is unlikely that all of the outstanding Predecessor Plan awards will expire or terminate without being exercised or settled.

Share Counting.  Any shares covered by an award which is forfeited, canceled or expires shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Amended Plan. Shares that have been issued under the Amended Plan pursuant to an award shall not be returned to the Amended Plan and shall not become available for future grant under the Amended Plan, except where unvested shares are forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the lower of their original purchase price or their fair market value. Shares tendered or withheld in payment of an award exercise or purchase price and shares withheld by the Company to pay any tax withholding obligation and Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds of a stock option exercise price shall not be returned to the Amended Plan and shall not become available for future issuance under the Amended Plan. In addition, all shares covered by the portion of a stock appreciation right that is exercised shall be considered issued pursuant to the Amended Plan.  

Administration.  The Amended Plan is administered, with respect to grants to officers, employees, directors, and consultants, by the Administrator, defined as the Board or one or more committees designated by the Board. The Compensation Committee currently acts as the Administrator. With respect to grants to officers and directors, the

Compensation Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy applicable laws, including Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and Section 162(m).

No Repricings or Exchanges without Stockholder Approval.  The Company shall obtain stockholder approval prior to (i) the reduction of the exercise price of any stock option or the base appreciation amount of any stock appreciation right awarded under the Amended Plan or (ii) the cancellation of a stock option or stock appreciation right at a time when its exercise price or base appreciation amount exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares, in exchange for another stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock or other award (unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a Corporate Transaction (as described below and as defined in the Amended Plan)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, cancelling a stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for another stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, or other award with an exercise price, purchase price or base appreciation amount that is equal to or greater than the exercise price or base appreciation amount of the original stock option or stock appreciation right will not be subject to stockholder approval.

Terms and Conditions of Awards.  The Amended Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, stock appreciation rights and cash-based awards (collectively referred to as “awards”). Stock options granted under the Amended Plan may be either incentive stock options under the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, or non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. Awards other than incentive stock options may be granted to our employees, consultants and directors or to employees, consultants and directors of our related entities. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to stock options designated as incentive stock options which become exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such excess stock options shall be treated as non-qualified stock options. Under the Amended Plan, awards may be granted to such employees, consultants or directors who are residing in non-U.S. jurisdictions as the Administrator may determine from time to time. Each award granted under the Amended Plan shall be designated in an award agreement.

Because the Amended Plan provides for broad discretion in selecting which eligible persons will participate, and in making awards, the total number of persons who will actually participate in the Amended Plan and the benefits that will be provided to the participants cannot be determined at this time. As of January 30, 2016, we had approximately 51 full-time equivalent employees and six directors.

Awards may be granted subject to vesting schedules and restrictions on transfer and repurchase or forfeiture rights in favor of the Company as specified in the award agreements to be issued under the Amended Plan. Under the Amended Plan, incentive stock options may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the grantee, only by the grantee. Other awards shall be transferable (i) by will and by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) during the lifetime of the grantee, to the extent and in the manner authorized by the Administrator but only to the extent such transfers are made to family members, to family trusts, to family controlled entities, to charitable organizations and pursuant to domestic relations orders or agreements, in all cases without payment for such transfers to the grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the grantee’s award in the event of the grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the Administrator.

The Administrator has the authority, in its discretion, to select employees, consultants and directors to whom awards may be granted from time to time, to determine whether and to what extent awards are granted, to determine the number of shares or the amount of other consideration to be covered by each award (subject to the limitations set forth below), to approve award agreements for use under the Amended Plan, to determine the terms and conditions of any award (including the vesting schedule applicable to the award), to amend the terms of any outstanding award granted under the Amended Plan (subject to the limitations described above), to construe and interpret the terms of the Amended Plan and awards granted, to establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate the rules or laws of applicable non-U.S. jurisdictions, and to take such other action not inconsistent with the terms of the Amended Plan, as the Administrator deems appropriate.

The term of any award granted under the Amended Plan will be stated in the applicable award agreement, provided that the term of an award may not exceed 10 years or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted

to any participant who owns stock representing more than 10% of our combined voting power or any parent or subsidiary of us). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of an award shall not include any period for which the participant has elected to defer the receipt of the shares issuable pursuant to the award pursuant to a deferral program the Administrator may establish in its discretion.

The Amended Plan authorizes the Administrator to grant incentive stock options at an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option is granted (or 110%, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to any employee who owns stock representing more than 10% of our combined voting power or any parent or subsidiary of us). In the case of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation, the exercise price, base appreciation amount or purchase price, if any, shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. In the case of all other awards granted under the Amended Plan, the exercise or purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator. The exercise or purchase price is generally payable in cash, check, shares or with respect to options, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure or a “net exercise” procedure.

Under the Amended Plan, the Administrator may establish one or more programs under the Amended Plan to permit selected participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration payable under an award. The Administrator also may establish under the Amended Plan separate programs for the grant of particular forms of awards to one or more classes of participants.

Section 162(m).  The maximum number of shares with respect to which options and stock appreciation rights may be granted to a participant during a fiscal year of the Company is 100,000 shares. The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately by the Administrator in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of shares or other similar change in our shares or our capital structure, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

For awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units that are intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), the maximum number of shares subject to such awards that may be granted to a participant during a fiscal year of the Company is 100,000 shares. The foregoing limitation shall be adjusted proportionately by the Administrator in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of shares or other similar change in our shares or our capital structure, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. In addition, the foregoing limitations shall be prorated for any performance period consisting of fewer than 12 months.

In order for restricted stock and restricted stock units to qualify as performance-based compensation, the Administrator must establish a performance goal with respect to such award in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the services to which it relates (or, if earlier, the date after which 25% of the period of service to which the performance goal relates has elapsed) and while the outcome is substantially uncertain. In addition, the performance goal must be stated in terms of an objective formula or standard.

Under Section 162(m), a “covered employee” is the Company’s chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated officers of the Company other than the chief financial officer.

The Amended Plan includes the following performance criteria that may be considered by the Administrator when granting performance-based awards with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary, any division or operating unit or any Company brands, groups of brands or specific brands: (i) net income, (ii) pre-tax income, (iii) operating income, (iv) cash flow, (v) earnings per share, (vi) return on equity, (vi) return on invested capital or assets, (viii) cost reductions or savings, (ix) funds from operations, (x) appreciation in the fair market value of common stock, (xi) earnings before any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization or (xii) achievement of strategic initiatives.

Certain Adjustments.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares covered by outstanding awards, the number of shares that have been authorized for issuance under the Amended

Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each outstanding award, the maximum number of shares or amount that may be granted subject to awards to any participant, and the like, shall be proportionally adjusted by the Administrator in the event of (i) any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification or similar event affecting the shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company or (iii) any other transaction with respect to our shares including a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation (including a spin-off or other distribution of stock or property), reorganization, liquidation (whether partial or complete), distribution of cash or other assets to stockholders other than a normal cash dividend, or any similar transaction; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

Corporate Transaction and Change in Control.  Effective upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Amended Plan), all outstanding awards under the Amended Plan will terminate unless the awards are assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction. Except as provided otherwise in an individual award agreement, for the portion of each award that is neither assumed nor replaced, such portion of the award shall automatically become fully vested and exercisable and be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights (other than repurchase rights exercisable at fair market value) for all of the shares (or other consideration) at the time represented by such portion of the award, immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Corporate Transaction, provided that the grantee’s continuous service has not terminated prior to such date.

Under the Amended Plan, a Corporate Transaction includes: (i) a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i) hereof or clause (iii) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or (iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction: (A) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and (B) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (iii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or (iv) the Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Amended Plan.  The Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Amended Plan. The Amended Plan will terminate on the 10 year anniversary on the date the Amended Plan was approved by the Board, which will be April 7, 2026, unless earlier terminated by the Board. To the extent necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate and securities laws, the Code, applicable rules of any stock exchange or national market system, and the rules of any foreign jurisdiction applicable to

awards granted to residents of the jurisdiction, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any such amendment to the Amended Plan in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is general summary as of this date of the federal income tax consequences to us and to U.S. participants for awards granted under the Amended Plan. The federal tax laws may change and the federal, state and local tax consequences for any participant will depend upon his or her individual circumstances. Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different. This summary does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.

Non-qualified Stock Options.  The grant of a non-qualified stock option under the Amended Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant is subject to income taxes at the rate applicable to ordinary compensation income on the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. This income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) and so long as the Company withholds the appropriate taxes with respect to such income (if required) and the participant’s total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares of common stock will receive long or short-term capital gain or loss treatment, depending on whether the shares are held for more than one year following exercise. The Company does not receive a tax deduction for any such gain.

A non-qualified stock option can be considered non-qualified deferred compensation and subject to Section 409A of the Code. A non-qualified stock option that does not meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code can result in the acceleration of income recognition, an additional 20% tax obligation, plus penalties and interest.

Incentive Stock Options.  The grant of an incentive stock option under the Amended Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. A participant recognizes no federal taxable income upon exercising an incentive stock option (subject to the alternative minimum tax rules discussed below), and the Company receives no deduction at the time of exercise. In the event of a disposition of stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the tax consequences depend upon how long the participant has held the shares of common stock. If the participant does not dispose of the shares within two years after the incentive stock option was granted, nor within one year after the incentive stock option was exercised, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain (or loss) equal to the difference between the sale price of the shares and the exercise price. The Company is not entitled to any deduction under these circumstances.

If the participant fails to satisfy either of the foregoing holding periods (referred to as a “disqualifying disposition”), he or she must recognize ordinary income in the year of the disposition. The amount of ordinary income generally is the lesser of (i) the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the exercise price or (ii) the difference between the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Any gain in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will be treated as a long or short-term capital gain, depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year. The Company, in the year of the disqualifying disposition, is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) and so long as the participant's total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount.

The “spread” under an incentive stock option—i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares at exercise and the exercise price—is classified as an item of adjustment in the year of exercise for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If a participant’s alternative minimum tax liability exceeds such participant’s regular income tax liability, the participant will owe the larger amount of taxes. In order to avoid the application of alternative minimum tax with respect to incentive stock options, the participant must sell the shares within the calendar year in which the incentive stock options are exercised. However, such a sale of shares within the year of exercise will constitute a disqualifying disposition, as described above.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  Recipients of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) generally should not recognize income until the SAR is exercised (assuming there is no ceiling on the value of the right). Upon exercise, the recipient will normally recognize taxable ordinary income for federal income tax purposes equal to the amount of cash and fair market value of the shares, if any, received upon such exercise. Recipients who are employees will be subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes with respect to income recognized upon exercise of a SAR. Recipients will recognize gain upon the disposition of any shares received on exercise of a SAR equal to the excess of (i) the amount realized on such disposition over (ii) the ordinary income recognized with respect to such shares under the principles set forth above. That gain will be taxable as long or short-term capital gain depending on whether the shares were held for more than one year. We will be entitled to a tax deduction to the extent and in the year that ordinary income is recognized by the recipient, subject to possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) and so long as we withhold the appropriate taxes with respect to such income (if required) and the recipient’s total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount.

A SAR also can be considered non-qualified deferred compensation and subject to Section 409A of the Code. A SAR that does not meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code can result in the acceleration of income recognition, an additional 20% tax obligation, plus penalties and interest.

Restricted Stock.  A restricted stock award is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code to the extent the award will be forfeited in the event that the participant ceases to provide services to the Company. As a result of this substantial risk of forfeiture, the recipient will not recognize ordinary income at the time of the award, unless the participant is retirement eligible. Instead, the recipient will recognize ordinary income on the date when the stock is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, or when the stock becomes transferable, if earlier. The recipient’s ordinary income is measured as the difference between the amount paid for the stock, if any, and the fair market value of the stock on the earlier of those two dates.

The recipient may accelerate his or her recognition of ordinary income, if any, and begin his or her capital gains holding period by timely filing (i.e., within 30 days of the award) an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. In such event, the ordinary income recognized, if any, is measured as the difference between the amount paid for the stock, if any, and the fair market value of the stock on the date of award, and the capital gain holding period commences on such date. The ordinary income recognized by a recipient that is an employee or former employee will be subject to tax withholding by the Company.

Restricted Stock Units.  With respect to awards of restricted stock units, no taxable income is reportable when the restricted stock units are granted to a participant or upon vesting of the restricted stock units. Upon settlement, the recipient will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the value of the payment received pursuant to the restricted stock units. The ordinary income recognized by a recipient that is an employee or former employee will be subject to tax withholding by the Company.

Restricted stock units also can be considered non-qualified deferred compensation and subject to Section 409A of the Code. A grant of restricted stock units that does not meet the requirements of Code Section 409A will result in an additional 20% tax obligation, plus penalties and interest to such recipient.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.  Recipients of stock-based awards that earn dividends or dividend equivalents will recognize taxable ordinary income on any dividend payments received with respect to unvested and/or unexercised shares subject to such awards, which income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. We are entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the income recognized by a participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) and so long as we withhold the appropriate taxes with respect to such income (if required) and the individuals’s total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount.

Tax Effect for the Company.  Unless limited by Section 162(m), the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the Amended Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a recipient at the time the recipient recognizes such income (for example, when restricted stock is no longer subject to the risk of forfeiture).

The Amended Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non‑votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED PLAN PURSUANT TO THIS PROPOSAL.

 

 

ITEM 4. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd‑Frank Act ”) added Section 14A to the Exchange Act, which requires that we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.

As described in detail under “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below, our executive compensation programs are designed to (i) attract, reward and retain highly qualified and motivated executive officers who contribute to Cherokee’s success; (ii) provide economic incentives for executive officers to achieve Cherokee’s business and financial objectives by linking the executive officers’ compensation to the performance of Cherokee; (iii) strengthen the relationship between executive pay and stockholder value; and (iv) promote accountability. Please read the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement, which includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, tabular disclosure regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and accompanying narrative disclosure, for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the Fiscal 2016 compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our Named Executive Officer compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. The vote on this resolution is advisory and therefore not binding on Cherokee, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors; however, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the results of this vote in future compensation decisions, including evaluating whether any actions are necessary to address any concerns of our stockholders evidenced by a significant negative vote on this resolution. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to cast a non‑binding, advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non‑votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has unanimously determined that each of Messrs. Ewing, Galvin, Hull, Ravich and Tworecke, constituting five of the six directors standing for re‑election, is an independent director within the meaning of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, based upon such standards, the Board has determined that Mr. Stupp is not independent because he is currently an executive officer of Cherokee.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

The business affairs of Cherokee are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors, although the Board of Directors is not involved in Cherokee’s day‑to‑day operations. During Fiscal 2016, the Board of Directors met seven times and took action by unanimous written consent on two occasions. Each director attended 100% of all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the committees on which he served that were held during Fiscal 2016. Cherokee encourages all of its directors to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. All of our directors attended in person or telephonically the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board of Directors has established the following three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating & Governance Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for each of these committees, current copies of which are available on Cherokee’s website at www.cherokeeglobalbrands.com. To access these charters from Cherokee’s homepage, click on “Investor Relations,” then click on “Committee Composition” under “Financial Information.” The following table sets forth the membership of each of Cherokee’s three standing committees as of January 30, 2016 and during all of Fiscal 2016: 

Audit Committee

The primary functions of Cherokee’s Audit Committee are, among other things: to be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm; to review and discuss with management and the independent accounting firm the Company’s financial statements prior to including them in a report on Form 10‑K or Form 10‑Q filed with the SEC; to oversee audits of the Company’s financial statements and meet with the independent accounting firm in connection with each annual audit to review the planning and staffing of the audit; to review and oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, including management’s evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls; to discuss with management and the independent accounting firm Cherokee’s practices with respect to risk assessment, risk management and critical accounting policies; to receive and review from the independent accounting firm the report required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Ethics and Independence Rule 3526; to prepare a report each year for inclusion in Cherokee’s annual proxy statement; and to pre‑approve all auditing services and permitted non‑audit services to be performed for Cherokee by its independent accountants.

The Board of Directors has determined that all directors serving as members of the Audit Committee are “independent” under applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A‑3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and meet all other applicable requirements of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Board has also determined that Mr. Galvin is an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by applicable SEC rules.

Representatives of Cherokee’s firm of independent accounting firm are invited to attend meetings of the Audit Committee and certain members of management may also be invited to attend. The Audit Committee met four times during Fiscal 2016.

Compensation Committee

The primary functions of Cherokee’s Compensation Committee are, among other things: to review and approve the Company’s compensation philosophy; to review management’s risk assessment regarding compensation policies and practices; to annually review and approve the compensation, including bonus and incentive compensation, for our executive officers; to review and advise the Board regarding the performance of our executive officers; to administer and interpret the Company’s incentive compensation plans and stock‑related plans; to review and approve the compensation of our non‑employee directors; and to oversee and approve all public disclosures with respect to compensation. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees consisting solely of Compensation Committee members, with Board approval. For information regarding the role of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers in the determination of executive officer compensation, see the discussion under “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

The Board of Directors has determined that all directors serving as members of the Compensation Committee are “independent” under applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and Rule 10C‑1 of the Exchange Act. In addition, all directors serving as members of the Compensation Committee are non‑employee directors and outside directors within the meaning of Rule 16b‑3 of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m), respectively.

The agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee is determined by its chairman with the assistance of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. The Compensation Committee’s chairman then reports the Compensation Committee’s recommendations on executive compensation to the full Board. The Compensation Committee may engage and consult with independent compensation consultants as it deems appropriate to review, analyze and set compensation packages for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee reviews the total fees paid to any outside consultants to ensure that the consultant maintains its objectivity and independence when rendering advice to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met two times during Fiscal 2016.

Nominating & Governance Committee

The primary functions of the Nominating & Governance Committee are, among other things: to identify qualified candidates to become Board members; to select candidates to recommend to the Board as nominees for election as directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected); to select candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board; to recommend to the Board the directors to serve as members and chairs of all Board committees and as the Chairman of the Board; to oversee the evaluation of the Board; and to develop, recommend to the Board and monitor a policy regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders.

The Board of Directors has determined that all directors serving as members of the Nominating & Governance Committee are “independent” under applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Nominating & Governance Committee met once during Fiscal 2016.

Identifying and Evaluating Director Nominees

The goal of our Board is to assemble a Board of Directors that brings to Cherokee a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high‑quality business and professional experience. In doing so, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers candidates with appropriate business and non‑business backgrounds. When searching for new candidates, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers the evolving needs of the Board and searches for candidates that fill any current or anticipated future gap in fulfilling these needs. Under the terms of the Nominating & Governance Committee charter, the committee considers the following criteria when recommending candidates for election to the Board, among others: personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer of a publicly held company; experience in Cherokee’s industry and with

relevant social policy concerns; experience as a board member of another publicly held company; academic expertise in an area of Cherokee’s operations; and practical and mature business judgment. The Nominating & Governance Committee or the Board of Directors may establish additional or different criteria for Board membership, and the Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of criteria required of Board members. In considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials in the context of these membership criteria. With respect to the nomination of continuing directors for re‑election, an individual’s past contributions to the Board are also considered. Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to Board diversity, the Nominating & Governance Committee and the Board believe that it is necessary for our directors to possess a variety of qualities and skills, as a diverse board leads to improved Company performance by encouraging new ideas, expanding the knowledge base available to management and fostering a boardroom culture that promotes innovation and vigorous deliberation. All of the nominees for director being voted upon at the Annual Meeting are directors standing for re‑election, and have been put forth as director nominees by Cherokee’s Nominating & Governance Committee.

Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, and the Nominating & Governance Committee may consider these factors and any such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of Cherokee and our stockholders. The Nominating & Governance Committee does, however, recognize that under applicable regulatory requirements at least one member of our Board of Directors should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules, and that at least a majority of the members of our Board of Directors must meet the definition of “independent director” under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules or the standards of any other applicable self‑regulatory organization.

The Nominating & Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of our Board willing to continue to serve. Current members of our Board with skills and experience that are relevant and valuable to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re‑nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of our Board with that of obtaining new perspectives. If any member of our Board does not wish to be considered for re‑election at an upcoming annual meeting of stockholders, the Nominating & Governance Committee would identify a new nominee in light of the criteria and other factors described above. In such cases, all of the members of our Board are polled for suggestions as to potential nominees to our Board, and other research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals. If the Nominating & Governance Committee believes that additional candidates for nomination are needed, then it may explore alternative sources for identifying additional candidates, which could include engaging, as appropriate, a third‑party search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates.

All directors and director nominees are required to submit a completed form of directors’ and officers’ questionnaire as part of the nominating process. The process may also include interviews and additional background and reference checks for non‑incumbent director nominees, at the discretion of the Nominating & Governance Committee.

The Nominating & Governance Committee will evaluate director nominees recommended by stockholders in the same manner as it evaluates other nominees. A stockholder who wishes to suggest a nominee for the Board of Directors must comply with the notification requirements set forth in our Bylaws. These requirements provide that a stockholder who desires to recommend a candidate for nomination to our Board of Directors must do so in writing to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices, which written notice must be received no later than 90 days before the date of the annual meeting of stockholders at which the proposed director nominee is to be up for election. The stockholder’s written notice must include, among other things as specified in our Bylaws, certain personal identification information about the stockholder and its recommended director nominee(s); the principal occupation or employment of the recommended director nominee(s); the class and number of shares of the Company that are beneficially owned by the stockholder and its recommended director nominee(s); and any other information relating to the recommended director nominee(s) that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for the election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. Stockholders may reference a copy of our Bylaws by accessing the filings we make with the SEC, which are available through our website at www.cherokeeglobalbrands.com or through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. A stockholder who complies in full with all of the notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws will be permitted to present the director nominee at the applicable annual meeting of stockholders,

but will not be entitled to have the nominee included in our proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders unless an applicable SEC rule requires that we include the director nominee in our proxy statement.

Stockholder Communications with the Board

The Board of Directors has not adopted a formal process for stockholders to send communications directly to the Board of Directors or any specific director. However, stockholders may send such communications to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices, who will forward all such communications to the Board. Additionally, any stockholder or employee may submit to the Audit Committee at any time a complaint or concern regarding any questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters concerning Cherokee by writing to our Audit Committee Chairman at our principal executive officers or by submitting a notice via our online whistleblower system at https://cherokee.alertline.com/gcs/welcome.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Cherokee has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to Cherokee’s directors, officers (including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and persons performing similar functions), other employees, agents and consultants. This code satisfies the requirements of a “code of business conduct and ethics” under Rule 5610 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and a “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable SEC rules. The code may be referenced by accessing the filings we make with the SEC, which are available through our website at www.cherokeeglobalbrands.com or through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any amendments to or waivers of the code will be promptly posted on our website at www.cherokeeglobalbrands.com or in a current report on Form 8‑K, as required by applicable laws.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, as the Board believes it is in the best interests of Cherokee to make this determination based on the position and direction of Cherokee and the membership of the Board. During Fiscal 2016, Mr. Ravich served as the non‑executive Chairman of the Board. The Board believes that at this time, separating the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman and appointing Mr. Ravich as Chairman is in the best interest of our stockholders, as it permits our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day‑ to‑day business while our Chairman of the Board can focus on leading the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight (including risk oversight) of management.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board, as a whole and also at the committee level, has an active role in managing our risks. The members of the Board participate in our risk oversight assessment by receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to us, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial risks and risks relating to any related party or conflict of interest transactions, as well as our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management generally. The Nominating & Governance Committee manages risks associated with the composition of the Board, including the independence of our directors. Members of the management team report directly to the Board or the appropriate Board committee. The directors then use this information to understand, identify, manage and attempt to mitigate risk. After a committee has discussed any such report from management, the chairman of the relevant committee reports on the discussion to the full Board during the next Board meeting. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate with respect to the oversight of our material risks.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Each of Messrs. Ewing, Ravich and Tworecke served as a member of the Compensation Committee during all of Fiscal 2016. No such person is or has in the past been an officer or employee of Cherokee or had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S‑K promulgated by the SEC. None of the executive officers of Cherokee has served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity, any of whose officers served either on the Board of Directors or on the Compensation Committee of Cherokee.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This compensation discussion and analysis explains Cherokee’s policies and philosophies regarding executive compensation and the material elements of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each of Cherokee’s Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 2016.

Compensation Policies and Philosophy

The Compensation Committee oversees the design and administration of our executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee’s primary objectives in structuring and administering our executive officer compensation programs are to:

•attract, reward and retain highly qualified and motivated executive officers who contribute to Cherokee’s success;

•provide economic incentives for executive officers to achieve Cherokee’s business and financial objectives by linking the executive officers’ compensation to the performance of Cherokee;

•strengthen the relationship between executive pay and stockholder value; and

•promote accountability.

To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee endeavors to implement and maintain compensation packages that are performance‑oriented and designed to link Cherokee’s strategic business objectives, specific financial performance objectives and the enhancement of stockholder returns with the compensation of Cherokee’s executives, including the Named Executive Officers, while also providing competitive guaranteed compensation and opportunities for rewards that attract and retain top‑quality and experienced executives. Our compensation programs seek to accomplish these goals by using a combination of base salary, performance‑based and discretionary cash bonuses, equity awards and change in control and post‑termination severance benefits. The Compensation Committee views each Named Executive Officer’s compensation holistically as a package, such that an decision to deliver a higher discretionary cash bonus could result in a consequent decision to grant the Named Executive Officer fewer equity awards. The Compensation Committee evaluates and determines the performance of our Named Executive Officers considering the following factors, among others: (i) the individual’s ability to perform assigned tasks; (ii) the individual’s knowledge of his or her job; (iii) the individual’s ability to work with others toward the achievement of Cherokee’s goals; and (iv) internal pay equity among our Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee also evaluates corporate performance by considering factors such as Cherokee’s performance relative to the business environment and our competitors and the success of Cherokee in meeting its business and financial objectives. In reviewing these factors for both individual and corporate performance, the Compensation Committee relies on its subjective evaluations of such factors. We believe that it is important to reward excellence, leadership and outstanding long‑term company performance in a form designed to retain and motivate executives and align their incentives with continued high levels of performance.

Although the Compensation Committee has utilized benchmarking with a specific peer group of companies to design our executive compensation programs in past years, the Compensation Committee did not rely on benchmarking with any peer group in determining executive compensation for Fiscal 2016 for a variety of reasons, including a desire to maintain compensation levels and structure in Fiscal 2016 that were substantially stable with those of Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2015 and the resulting belief of our Compensation Committee that benchmarking was not needed. Instead, the Compensation Committee determined Named Executive Officer compensation for Fiscal 2016 by drawing on its experience and its judgment in establishing a compensation program and pay levels that it believes are appropriately rewarding to our Named Executive Officers, responsible for a company in our stage of growth and otherwise satisfy the principle objectives of our compensation philosophy. From time to time, the Compensation Committee may review general industry trends for informational purposes in designing our compensation programs and determining Named Executive Officer pay levels.

Process for Establishing Compensation Packages

The Compensation Committee’s practice is to establish the annual compensation packages for each of our Named Executive Officers in the beginning of each fiscal year, typically in our first or second fiscal quarter in connection with annual performance reviews. Performing this process after the end of the prior fiscal year allows the Compensation Committee to incorporate data on Cherokee’s performance during the prior year into its analysis and to conduct an assessment of the executives’ contribution to Cherokee’s overall performance. The Compensation Committee then compiles the information to establish annual base compensation and performance‑related incentives and make adjustments to long‑range compensation incentives as it deems appropriate.

Review of Stockholder Say‑on‑Pay Votes

Consistent with the preference of our stockholders, which was expressed at Cherokee’s annual stockholders meeting held in June 2011, our stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation, or a “say‑on‑pay” vote, annually. At our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, our executive compensation received a favorable advisory vote. The Compensation Committee believed this approval affirmed stockholders’ support of Cherokee’s approach to executive compensation, and therefore the Compensation Committee did not significantly change our compensation policies, philosophy or structure in Fiscal 2016. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of Cherokee’s say‑on‑pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers.

Role of our Chief Executive Officer and Other Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

With regard to the compensation paid to each Named Executive Officer other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officer reviews on an annual basis the performance of each executive officer, as well as the compensation paid to each executive officer for the prior fiscal year. Following such review, our Chief Executive Officer submits to the Compensation Committee his recommendations regarding the compensation to be paid to each Named Executive Officer during the next fiscal year, including recommended salary levels, bonuses and equity awards, as applicable. Following a review of such recommendations, the Compensation Committee takes such action regarding such compensation as it deems appropriate, including approving compensation in an amount it determines is reasonable. The Chief Executive Officer is not involved in discussions or the determination of any aspect of his own compensation, which the Compensation Committee determines and approves based on its assessment of factors it deems relevant, including the Chief Executive Officer’s and our Company’s performance.

Our Chief Executive Officer participates in meetings of the Compensation Committee at the Compensation Committee’s request, other than during executive session or when our Chief Executive Officer’s own compensation is under discussion, to provide:

•background information regarding our strategic objectives;

•his evaluation of the performance of executive officers (other than himself); and

•compensation recommendations as to executive officers (other than himself).

In addition, our Chief Financial Officer often prepares information for the meetings of the Compensation Committee and our President and Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer participate in Compensation Committee meetings at the Compensation Committee’s request, other than during executive session or when the compensation of such executive officer is under discussion. Our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers also play a significant role in the compensation‑setting process for other employees by:

•evaluating employee performance;

•recommending business performance targets and establishing objectives; and

•recommending salary levels, bonuses and equity awards.

Role of Compensation Consultants

Although the Compensation Committee did not engage any compensation consultants in Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage the services of independent compensation consultants to assist with executive compensation review and analysis at its discretion. Such a compensation consultant may be engaged to, among other things, provide an independent review of our executive compensation and validate the methods and scope of internal review being conducted. Pursuant to its charter and in accordance with applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, the Compensation Committee would assess the independence of any such compensation consultant and the existence of any conflicts of interest prior to any engagement.

Components of Compensation

The compensation of our Named Executive Officers consists of the following three principal components: base salary, performance‑based and discretionary cash bonuses, equity awards and change in control and post‑termination severance benefits. The Compensation Committee believes that the combination of these elements provides an appropriate mix between short‑term and long‑term cash and non‑cash compensation that is essential to attracting and retaining talented and hard‑working individuals and aligning their incentives with the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee strives to develop comprehensive compensation packages that are competitive with those offered by other companies with which Cherokee competes.

Base Salary

The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of the base salary for each Named Executive Officer. Each year, in connection with the completion of Cherokee’s fiscal year‑end audit and in connection with conducting annual performance reviews, the Chief Executive Officer makes initial recommendations with respect to the base salaries of all Named Executive Officers other than himself. The Chief Executive Officer provides his recommendations and the reasons for his recommendations to the Compensation Committee, which then reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations and other information it deems relevant before making its determination regarding base salaries for the applicable fiscal year. In considering the base salary of each Named Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee consider the individual and corporate performance factors outlined above and place particular emphasis on the success of Cherokee in meeting its business and financial objectives and the overall contribution of the Named Executive Officer in helping to attain those objectives. The Compensation Committee also considers other qualitative and quantitative factors that it may deem relevant, including industry trends and other similar information. Typically, a Named Executive Officer’s base salary is increased with additional job responsibility or in light of other factors, but is not intended to be the primary compensation method to reward past performance or incentivize future performance.

The base salaries for our Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 2016 were as follows:

Cash Bonuses

We periodically pay cash bonuses to Named Executive Officers at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of performance against various corporate goals and objectives and pursuant to a performance‑based cash bonus plan. In each case, this element of compensation is designed to motivate the Named Executive Officers to meet the business and financial objectives of Cherokee.

Performance Bonus

Pursuant to the terms of Messrs. Stupp’s and Siegel’s employment agreements with us, which are described under “Employment Agreements” below, and pursuant to the Compensation Committee’s determination in May 2014 to also apply the applicable terms to Mr. Boling, each of Messrs. Stupp, Siegel and Boling is eligible to receive a cash

performance‑based bonus (the “Performance Bonus”) based on the level of achievement of Cherokee’s EBITDA (defined as net income before interest expense, tax provision, depreciation, and amortization are subtracted, and inclusive of any amounts payable as Performance Bonus) for each fiscal year relative to the EBITDA target included in the budget approved by the Board for such fiscal year (and taking into account any Board approved adjustments to the budgeted EBITDA resulting from any business acquisitions or dispositions consummated during the relevant fiscal year or any other specified unusual or non-recurring transactions or events). The amount of the Performance Bonus is as follows: (i) for Mr. Stupp, $200,000 at 100% achievement, with a minimum bonus of $50,000 at 80% achievement and a maximum bonus of $350,000 at 120% achievement (with linear interpolation between 80% and 120% achievement) and (ii) for each of Messrs. Siegel and Boling, 30% of his then‑current base salary at 100% achievement, with a minimum bonus of 20% of his then‑current base salary at 80% achievement and a maximum bonus of 40% of his then‑current base salary at 120% achievement (with linear interpolation between 80% and 120% achievement). If Cherokee’s EBITDA for a fiscal year is less than 80% of the EBITDA target included in the budget approved by the Board for such fiscal year (and taking into account any Board approved adjustments to the budgeted EBITDA resulting from any business acquisitions or dispositions consummated during the relevant fiscal year), then none of Messrs. Stupp, Siegel and Boling are entitled to any Performance Bonus for that fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it was determined that, for Fiscal 2016 only, the amount of the Performance Bonus for each of Messrs. Stupp, Siegel and Boling would equal $160,000, 102,000 and $72,000, respectively, at 100% achievement of Cherokee’s EBITDA relative to the applicable EBITDA target, and each such Named Executive Officer waived any rights he may have to any additional Performance Bonus payment for performance during Fiscal 2016.

The Compensation Committee determined to base the achievement of the Performance Bonus on Cherokee’s EBITDA because this metric provides a basis for measuring Cherokee’s operating performance and profitability based upon its business and assets, without regard to the impact of variations attributable to accounting or tax‑related matters.

For Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee established an EBITDA target, as adjusted, of approximately $17.7 million and Cherokee’s actual EBITDA for such period, as adjusted, was approximately $17 million, equal to 97% of the EBITDA target. As a result, each of Messrs. Stupp, Siegel and Boling was awarded a Performance Bonus for Fiscal 2016 of $155,250, $99,000 and $69,900, respectively.

Discretionary Cash Bonuses

The decisions as to whether or not discretionary cash bonuses will be paid and the amounts and timing of such bonuses are tied to the profitability and performance of Cherokee and other factors the Compensation Committee may deem relevant with respect to each Named Executive Officer, although for Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee did not pre‑establish or communicate to executives any performance targets for these discretionary cash bonuses. Typically, as part of the completion of the audit for the prior fiscal year and in connection with annual performance reviews, our Chief Executive Officer determines and presents recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to discretionary cash bonuses for our other Named Executive Officers, taking into account the achievement of company‑specific performance measures and individual‑specific objectives for the applicable fiscal year, as well as the contribution of the executive to the overall success and achievements of Cherokee. When making its decision, the Compensation Committee also considers internal pay equity factors together with each Named Executive Officer’s qualifications, duties and responsibilities and, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, his eligibility to receive discretionary cash bonuses as set forth in his employment agreement with us, which is described under “Employment Agreements” below.

For Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee determined not to pay any of our Named Executive Officers a discretionary cash bonus for performance during the period.

Equity Compensation

Cherokee’s equity compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee. Cherokee currently maintains one equity compensation plan, the 2013 Plan, which became effective following its approval by our stockholders on July 16, 2013. The 2013 Plan serves as the successor to the Predecessor Plan, which terminated concurrently with the approval by our stockholders of the 2013 Plan (except with respect to awards previously granted

under the Predecessor Plan that remain outstanding). The share reserve under the 2013 Plan currently includes the shares available for grant or subject to outstanding awards under the Predecessor Plan, plus 700,000 shares. We are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan at the Annual Meeting in order to increase the shares reserved thereunder by 500,000 shares, which is described in detail in Item 3 of this Proxy Statement.

We have historically granted our Named Executive Officers the following three types of equity awards under our equity compensation plans, all pursuant to award agreements under the applicable plan:

•Stock Options.  Stock option awards afford the recipient the option to purchase shares of our common stock at a stated price per share. Stock option awards granted to our Named Executive Officers are granted under Cherokee’s equity compensation plans with exercise prices equal to or above the market price of Cherokee’s common stock on the date of grant and generally vest ratably in annual installments over two, three or five years, subject to continued service through each vesting date and, to the extent specified in the applicable award agreement, accelerated vesting under certain circumstances. Since stock option awards have value only if the price of Cherokee’s common stock increases over the exercise price, the Compensation Committee believes that stock option awards provide incentives to build stockholder value and thereby align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee also believes that these awards, which may vest over a period of two or more years, have important retention value.

•Restricted Stock Units.  RSUs are full-value awards that represent the contingent right to receive shares of our common stock upon achievement of stated time‑based vesting criteria. RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers are granted under Cherokee’s equity compensation plans and generally vest ratably in annual installments over three years, subject to continued service through each vesting date and, to the extent specified in the applicable award agreement, accelerated vesting under certain circumstances. As RSUs do not require the payment of an exercise price or the satisfaction of other performance criteria in order to vest, the Compensation Committee believes that these awards provide greater certainty of delivering value to our Named Executive Officers, which may be desired in order to reward our Named Executive Officers for achievement of individual or corporate strategic objectives or otherwise strong performance or in light of other factors deemed relevant, such as the terms of other outstanding equity awards, while still incentivizing long‑term performance and providing long‑term retention benefits by delivering value over a three‑year vesting period.

•Performance Stock Units.  Performance stock units are a type of RSU that vest in up to three annual installments based on the achievement of a stock price target each year. The stock price target is calculated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last day of the preceding fiscal year and adding 10% growth, and is measured at the end of each fiscal year in which the award is outstanding. In order to achieve the applicable stock price target, the average of all closing prices during the January preceding the applicable fiscal year‑end must meet or exceed the applicable stock price target. If a stock price target is met, one‑third of the performance stock units vest, and if a stock price target for either of the first two years in which an award is outstanding is not met, the portion of the award that would have vested would roll over and vest if the stock price target for the following fiscal year(s) in which the award remains outstanding are met, subject in all cases to continued service through each vesting date and, to the extent specified in the applicable award agreement, accelerated vesting under certain circumstances. The Compensation Committee believes this type of award design has several benefits, including, among others, the following: (i) the awards have a strong performance orientation in that they generally do not vest unless one or more stock price targets are achieved; (ii) the awards align the Named Executive Officers’ interests with those of our stockholders, since the awards only vest if stockholders experience an increase in the value of their shares relative to the trading price of the shares on the performance stock unit award grant date; (iii) the stock price targets are objective, measureable, straightforward, and difficult to manipulate; (iv) the awards are only earned following a sustained stock price increase, minimizing the possibility of vesting upon a short‑term stock price spike; and (v) there is no exercise price associated with the awards, so they could have more value delivery potential with less associated dilution than some other types of equity award.

In determining the number and type of equity awards to grant in any fiscal year, the Compensation Committee considers such factors as the seniority of the Named Executive Officer, the contribution that the Named Executive Officer is expected to make to Cherokee in the coming years and has made to Cherokee in the past, and the size and terms of prior equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee generally grants equity awards for Named Executive Officers and other employees other than the Chief Executive Officer based on recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer made in connection with annual performance reviews. However, the Compensation Committee may from time to time grant equity awards based on individual and corporate achievements and other factors it deems relevant. Decisions regarding equity awards for our Named Executive Officers are typically made at the Compensation Committee’s first or second fiscal quarter meeting at which executive compensation for the coming year is determined, which is typically scheduled several months in advance although the Compensation Committee may also grant equity awards at other times during the year for retention purposes or to reflect changes in responsibilities or similar events or circumstances.

Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2016 Performance Stock Units

On April 15, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of performance stock unit awards to each of Messrs. Siegel and Boling pursuant to the Predecessor Plan. In addition, on July 16, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of a performance stock unit award to Mr. Stupp pursuant to the 2013 Plan. These awards entitled Mr. Stupp, Mr. Siegel and Mr. Boling to receive up to 30,000, 17,000 and 10,000 shares of Cherokee’s common stock, respectively, in each case over the three‑year period beginning on February 1, 2014, the last day of our 2014 fiscal year (“Fiscal 2014”) and subject to the performance criteria set forth in the applicable award agreement and as described above. Due to achievement or non‑achievement of the applicable stock price targets set forth in these awards, the first one‑third of each award failed to vest on the last day of Fiscal 2014, two‑thirds of each award vested on the last day of Fiscal 2015, and the final one‑third of each award failed to vest on the last day of Fiscal 2016.

On April 5, 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of additional performance stock unit awards to Messrs. Stupp, Siegel and Boling pursuant to the 2013 Plan, entitling them to receive up to 10,000, 6,000 and 3,500 shares of Cherokee’s common stock, respectively, in each case over the three‑year period beginning on the last day of Fiscal 2016 and subject to the performance criteria set forth in the applicable award agreements and as described above.

Fiscal 2016 Stock Option and RSU Awards

On June 8, 2015, the Compensation Committee awarded (i) a stock option to purchase up to 60,000 shares to Mr. Stupp and a stock option to purchase up to 55,000 shares to each of Messrs. Siegel and Boling, and (ii) RSUs for up to 50,000 shares to Mr. Stupp and RSUs for up to 20,000 shares to each of Messrs. Siegel and Boling. Each of these stock option and RSU awards vests in equal annual installments over a three‑year period subject to the continued employment of the Named Executive Officer through each vesting date. The Compensation Committee determined to grant these awards in recognition of significant efforts and successes during Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2016 to date, including expansion of our brand portfolio with the acquisition of our Everyday California® brand and acquisition of new licensee partners for a number of our established brands, and in recognition of long‑term value creation over the past several years, and determined that these value delivery objectives were best achieved with a combination of stock options and RSUs.

Change in Control and Post‑Termination Severance Benefits

The employment agreements for each of our Named Executive Officers provide them certain benefits if their employment is terminated under specified conditions, including a termination in connection with a change in control. The Compensation Committee believes these benefits are important elements of each Named Executive Officer’s comprehensive compensation package for their retention value and their alignment of the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders. The details and amounts of such benefits are described below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Named Executive Officer Employment Agreements

We have entered into an employment agreement or offer letter with each of our Named Executive Officers that sets forth the terms of his compensation arrangements as described above and certain other terms of his employment

with us. During Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee decided to enter into such an employment agreement with Mr. Siegel, our President and Chief Operating Officer, with whom we did not previously have an employment agreement in place. The terms of Mr. Siegel’s employment agreement are substantially similar to those of Mr. Boling’s offer letter with us, each of which, along with Mr. Stupp’s employment agreement, is described under “Employment Agreements” below. The Compensation Committee determined it was appropriate to enter into employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers in light of various factors, including their respective levels of responsibility, the retention value of the change in control and post‑termination severance benefits provided by the employment agreements and internal pay equity factors.

Perquisites

Cherokee annually reviews the perquisites that senior executives receive. Generally, Cherokee’s Named Executive Officers are entitled to benefits that are otherwise available to all of its employees.

Other Benefits

Cherokee maintains broad‑based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a savings plan that qualifies as a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants in this 401(k) plan are permitted to contribute to the plan through payroll deductions within statutory and plan limits. Participants may select from a variety of investment options, which do not include Cherokee’s common stock. In addition, Cherokee provides a matching contribution of up to 4% of each eligible employee’s salary per year.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

It is our policy generally to seek to qualify compensation paid to Named Executive Officers for deductibility under Section 162(m). Section 162(m) generally prohibits us from taking a tax deduction in any tax year for compensation paid to certain executive officers that exceeds $1,000,000, unless the compensation is payable only upon the achievement of pre-established, objective performance goals under a plan approved by our stockholders. We believe the stock option and RSU awards we have granted to our Named Executive Officers under the Predecessor Plan and the 2013 Plan qualify as performance‑based compensation under Section 162(m), although there is no guarantee that such equity awards, or any other performance‑based compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, qualify as such. We reserve the discretion to pay compensation to our executives that may not be deductible if we determine that paying such compensation is in the best interests of Cherokee and our stockholders.

Summary of Executive Compensation for the Fiscal 2016 Performance Period

The following table summarizes the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for Fiscal 2016:

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole or part, the following report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filing.

 

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee establishes and oversees the design and functioning of Cherokee’s executive compensation programs. We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the management of Cherokee. Based on this review and discussion, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Timothy Ewing, Chairman

Jess Ravich

Frank Tworecke

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation for services rendered by our Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 2016:

Grants of Plan‑Based Awards

The following table provides information concerning each grant of a plan‑based award made to a Named Executive Officer during Fiscal 2016:

Outstanding Equity Awards at January 30, 2016

The following table summarizes outstanding equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of January 30, 2016:

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table summarizes the Named Executive Officers’ exercises of stock options during Fiscal 2016:

Employment Agreements

Restated Employment Agreement with Mr. Stupp

On July 16, 2013, we entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Restated Employment Agreement”) with Henry Stupp, our Chief Executive Officer, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. The Restated Employment Agreement amends, restates and supersedes in its entirety the employment agreement dated August 26, 2010, as amended, between Cherokee and Mr. Stupp. The Restated Employment Agreement has an initial term that expires January 31, 2017, and it will automatically renew for three‑year terms thereafter, unless either party provides the other party written notice of non‑renewal at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then‑current term.

Pursuant to the terms of the Restated Employment Agreement, Mr. Stupp is to receive a base salary equal to $750,000 per year, which was his base salary for Fiscal 2016. The Compensation Committee may increase Mr. Stupp’s base salary in its discretion. In addition, Mr. Stupp is eligible to receive the Performance Bonus and an additional discretionary cash bonus of up to $300,000 as determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. See the description of the Performance Bonus under “Components of Compensation—Cash Bonuses” above. For Fiscal 2016, base salary and non‑incentive plan cash bonuses constituted approximately 36% of Mr. Stupp’s total compensation.

In addition, the Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Stupp shall receive equity awards on or about each anniversary of the date of the Restated Employment Agreement in amounts and on terms to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Further, the Restated Employment Agreement provides for certain payments upon a termination of Mr. Stupp’s employment with Cherokee, as described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Siegel

On July 23, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Siegel, our President and Chief Operating Officer, which was approved by our Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Siegel is to receive a base salary equal to $425,000 per year, which was his base salary for Fiscal 2016. Also pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Siegel is eligible to receive the Performance Bonus, as described under “Components of Compensation—Cash Bonuses “ above. For Fiscal 2016, base

salary and non‑incentive plan cash bonuses constituted approximately 38% of Mr. Siegel’s total compensation. Mr. Siegel is also eligible to receive equity awards at the times and in the amounts determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides for certain payments upon a termination of Mr. Siegel’s employment with Cherokee, as described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Offer Letter with Mr. Boling

On February 22, 2013, we entered into an offer letter (the “Offer Letter”) with Mr. Boling, our Chief Financial Officer, which became effective on March 25, 2013 and was approved by our Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, Mr. Boling’s annual base salary was initially $250,000, which amount was increased to $300,000 in May 2014. Also pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, Mr. Boling was initially eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus of up to 40% of his base compensation as determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, which amount was reduced to 30% of his annual base salary and was tied to the Company’s achievement of certain EBITDA targets pursuant to the terms of the Performance Bonus in May 2014. See the description of the Performance Bonus under “Components of Compensation—Cash Bonuses” above. For Fiscal 2016, base salary and non‑incentive plan cash bonuses constituted approximately 31% of Mr. Boling’s total compensation. Mr. Boling is also eligible to receive equity awards at the times and in the amounts determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. In addition, the Offer Letter provides for certain payments upon a termination of Mr. Boling’s employment with Cherokee, as described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Except as described below, no Named Executive Officer is entitled to any payments upon termination or a change of control that are not generally available to all of Cherokee’s employees.

Chief Executive Officer—Mr. Stupp

The table below shows Cherokee’s estimates of our potential cash payments and other benefits received by Mr. Stupp upon a termination of Mr. Stupp. The amounts included in the table below assume such termination was effective as of January 30, 2016, and thus are only estimates of the amounts that would be paid to Mr. Stupp upon a termination. The amounts included in the table below also assume that all salary and bonus amounts earned by Mr. Stupp through the date of termination have already been paid. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the event triggering the payments.

Pursuant to the Restated Employment Agreement, in the event that Cherokee terminates Mr. Stupp’s employment at any time other than for cause or if he terminates his employment at any time for good reason, Mr. Stupp will be entitled to receive an amount equal to 12 months of his then‑current base salary, payable in the form of salary continuation. In addition, Mr. Stupp will be entitled to receive: (i) a pro‑rated Performance Bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (based on the actual achievement for the full fiscal year and then pro‑rated to reflect the number of days of employment during such fiscal year), which shall be payable at the same time as other annual or discretionary annual bonuses are payable to Cherokee’s other senior executives; (ii) an additional severance payment equal to one times the average Performance Bonuses paid to Mr. Stupp for the prior two completed fiscal years, which shall be paid in a lump sum within 60 days following the termination of Mr. Stupp’s employment; (iii) continuation of Mr. Stupp’s medical and dental benefits for 12 months or reimbursement for payments by Mr. Stupp to maintain such benefits and (iv) accelerated vesting of the equity awards held by Mr. Stupp. Mr. Stupp will only be entitled to receive the foregoing benefits if, among other things, he executes and delivers a general release of claims in favor of Cherokee. Mr. Stupp is not entitled to any severance if his employment is terminated by death or by disability, if his employment is terminated by him for any reason other than good reason or if his employment is terminated by Cherokee for cause, except that in the event Mr. Stupp’s employment is terminated as a result of his death or disability, he or his estate shall receive a pro‑rated Performance Bonus based upon the methodology described above and the vesting of Mr. Stupp’s equity awards shall accelerate. Also pursuant to the Restated Employment Agreement, the performance stock units

issued to Mr. Stupp shall vest in the event Cherokee’s common stock ceases to be publicly traded as a result of a “going private transaction” having the effects described in Section (a)(3)(ii) of Rule 13e‑3 of the Exchange Act.

For purposes of the Restated Employment Agreement, “cause” means Mr. Stupp: (i) is indicted or charged with a felony or crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical harm to any person; (ii) willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to Cherokee; (iii) commits a material breach of the Restated Employment Agreement, which breach is not cured within twenty days after written notice; (iv) willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy of Cherokee, which breach is not cured within twenty days after written notice; or (v) engages in misfeasance or malfeasance demonstrated by a pattern of failure to perform job duties diligently and professionally. Also for purposes of the Restated Employment Agreement, “good reason” means (i) the assignment to Mr. Stupp of any duties inconsistent with his position, duties, responsibilities or status with Cherokee or a reduction of his duties or responsibilities; (ii) Mr. Stupp no longer reports directly to the Board; (iii) a reduction in Mr. Stupp’s base salary or bonus opportunities; (iv) the requirement that Mr. Stupp be based at any office or location more than 50 miles from Cherokee’s corporate headquarters, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of Mr. Stupp’s responsibilities; or (v) material breach by Cherokee of its material obligations under the Restated Employment Agreement or any other agreement with Mr. Stupp, which breach is not cured within twenty days after written notice.

President and Chief Operating Officer—Mr. Siegel

The table below shows Cherokee’s estimates of our potential cash payments and other benefits received by Mr. Siegel upon a termination of Mr. Siegel. The amounts included in the table below assume such termination was effective as of January 30, 2016, and thus are only estimates of the amounts that would be paid to Mr. Siegel upon a termination. The amounts included in the table below also assume that all salary and bonus amounts earned by Mr. Siegel through the date of termination have already been paid. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the event triggering the payments.

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in the event that Cherokee terminates Mr. Siegel’s employment at any time other than for cause, Mr. Boling will be entitled to receive an amount equal to 12 months of his then‑current base salary, payable in the form of salary continuation. The Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Siegel shall be entitled to receive certain payments if Cherokee undergoes a change of control event or Cherokee terminates Mr. Siegel’s employment without cause or eliminates Mr. Siegel’s position within three months prior to or 12 months following a change of control event. Under such circumstances, Mr. Siegel will be entitled to receive: (i) an amount equal to 12 months of his then‑current base salary, payable in the form of salary continuation, and any earned but unpaid bonus amount, and (ii) continuation of Mr. Boling’s medical and dental benefits under COBRA for 12 months. Further, if Cherokee undergoes a change of control event or Cherokee terminates Mr. Siegel’s employment without cause or eliminates Mr. Siegel’s position within three months prior to a change of control event, then Mr. Siegel will also be entitled to acceleration of vesting of all equity awards held by Mr. Siegel as of the time of the change of control event. Mr. Siegel will only be entitled to receive the foregoing benefits if, among other things, he executes and delivers a general release of claims in favor of Cherokee. Mr. Siegel will not be entitled to any severance if his employment is terminated by death or by disability or if his employment is terminated by him for any reason other than as described above following a change of control event.

For purposes of the Employment Letter, “cause” means Mr. Siegel: (i) is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) is personally dishonest in a manner that directly affects the Company; (iii) engages in willful misconduct or gross negligence; (iv) breaches a fiduciary duty to the Company; (v) commits an act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the Company; or (vi) fails to substantially perform his duties as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Also for purposes of the Employment Agreement, a “change of control event” means the sale, transfer, merger or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company, by way of contribution, reorganization, share exchange, stock purchase or sale, asset purchase or sale, or other form of corporate transaction.

(1)Represents 12 months of Mr. Siegel’s base salary as of January 30, 2016, as applicable.

(2)Represents the approximate value of the continuation of Mr. Siegel’s medical benefits for six or 12 months, as applicable.

(3)Determined by multiplying the number of unvested shares subject to stock options that are exercisable for less than $16.38 per share (the closing price of our common stock on January 29, 2016), by the difference between $16.38 and the exercise price applicable to such stock options.

(4)Determined by multiplying the unvested portion of outstanding RSU awards by $16.38, the closing price of our common stock on January 29, 2016.

Chief Financial Officer—Mr. Boling

The table below shows Cherokee’s estimates of our potential cash payments and other benefits received by Mr. Boling upon a termination of Mr. Boling. The amounts included in the table below assume such termination was effective as of January 30, 2016, and thus are only estimates of the amounts that would be paid to Mr. Boling upon a termination. The amounts included in the table below also assume that all salary and bonus amounts earned by Mr. Boling through the date of termination have already been paid. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the event triggering the payments.

Pursuant to the Offer Letter, in the event that Cherokee terminates Mr. Boling’s employment at any time other than for cause, Mr. Boling will be entitled to receive an amount equal to six months of his then‑current base salary, payable in the form of salary continuation; provided that this severance payment will increase to 12 months of continued salary after Mr. Boling has been employed by Cherokee for at least 36 months, or on March 25, 2016. In addition, Mr. Boling will be entitled to receive continuation of his medical and dental benefits for the applicable monthly severance period. The Offer Letter also provides that Mr. Boling shall be entitled to receive certain payments in the event that Cherokee undergoes a change of control and, within 12 months following such change of control, any of the following occurs: (i) Mr. Boling’s position is eliminated; (ii) Mr. Boling is terminated for any reason other than for cause; or (iii) Mr. Boling terminates his employment following a material reduction in his duties or responsibilities or an office move that would extend his commute by greater than 30 miles. Under such circumstances, Mr. Boling will be entitled to receive: (i) an amount equal to 12 months of his then‑current base salary and any earned but unpaid bonus amount, (ii) continuation of Mr. Boling’s medical and dental benefits under COBRA for 12 months and (iii) acceleration of vesting of all equity awards held by Mr. Boling as of the time of the change of control. Mr. Boling will only be entitled to receive the foregoing benefits if, among other things, he executes and delivers a general release of claims in favor of Cherokee. Mr. Boling will not be entitled to any severance if his employment is terminated by death or by disability or if his employment is terminated by him for any reason other than as described above following a change of control of Cherokee.

For purposes of the Offer Letter, “cause” means Mr. Boling: (i) is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) is personally dishonest in a manner that directly affects the Company; (iii) engages in willful misconduct or gross negligence; (iv) breaches a fiduciary duty to the Company; (v) commits an act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the Company; or (vi) fails to substantially perform his duties as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Also for purposes of the Offer Letter, a “change of control” means the sale, transfer, merger or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company, by way of contribution, reorganization, share exchange, stock purchase or sale, asset purchase or sale, or other form of corporate transaction.

(1)Represents six or 12 months of Mr. Boling’s base salary as of January 30, 2016, as applicable.

(2)Represents the approximate value of the continuation of Mr. Boling’s medical benefits for six or 12 months, as applicable.

(3)Determined by multiplying the number of unvested shares subject to stock options that are exercisable for less than $16.38 per share (the closing price of our common stock on January 29, 2016), by the difference between $16.38 and the exercise price applicable to such stock options.

(4)Determined by multiplying the unvested portion of outstanding RSU awards by $16.38, the closing price of our common stock on January 29, 2016.

Director Compensation Program

Each non‑employee director receives compensation of $80,000 per annum. The following additional cash compensation is provided to non‑employee directors in connection with committee memberships and chairman roles: (i) the chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional $20,000 per annum; (ii) the chair of the Compensation Committee receives an additional $15,000 per annum; (iii) the chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives an additional $10,000 per annum; (iv) each member of the Audit Committee not serving as chair receives an additional $10,000 per annum; (v) each member of the Compensation Committee not serving as chair receives an

additional $7,500 per annum; (vi) each member of the Nominating & Governance Committee not serving as chair receives an additional $5,000 per annum; and (vii) the Chairman of the Board receives an additional $80,000 per annum and an additional $5,000 for any in‑person business meeting he attends in his capacity as Chairman at the request of Cherokee’s management that is held outside of the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. All such compensation is provided in quarterly increments. Mr. Stupp, our only director who also serves as an employee, receives no separate compensation for his services as a director. For a discussion of Mr. Stupp’s compensation earned in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer, see the discussion under “Executive Compensation” above.

In order to provide members of the Board with the opportunity to increase their ownership of our capital stock and thereby more closely align their interests with those of our stockholders, our non‑employee director compensation program provides each director with the opportunity to elect to receive equity awards for all or a portion of their annual compensation for Board service. As a result, at the meeting of the Board of Directors held in June of each year, each non‑employee member of the Board of Directors must make an election regarding the percentage, up to 100%, of his annual compensation for service on the Board of Directors that is to be paid in equity, in the form of RSUs that are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on a date selected by the Board for purposes of determining the number of shares subject to the RSU awards. In June 2015, none of the directors elected to receive any of their cash compensation for Board service in the form of RSUs.

Additionally, in June 2015, the Compensation Committee granted additional equity awards to each of our non‑employee directors, in the form of (i) a stock option to purchase up to 50,000 shares of common stock and an RSU for up to 40,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Ravich, and (ii) stock options to purchase up to 25,000 shares of common stock and RSUs for up to 7,500 shares of common stock granted to each of Messrs. Ewing, Galvin, Hull, Ravich and Tworecke. The Compensation Committee determined to grant these awards in recognition of significant efforts and successes during Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2016 to date, including expansion of our brand portfolio with the acquisition of our Everyday California® brand and acquisition of new licensee partners for a number of our established brands, and in recognition of long‑term value creation over the past several years, and determined that these value delivery objectives were best achieved with a combination of stock options and RSUs. All of these stock options and RSUs are subject to the terms of the 2013 Plan and award agreements that provide for annual ratable vesting over a three‑year period, subject to continued service through each vesting date and acceleration of vesting upon the earlier to occur of any of the following: (i) a change in control of the Company, (ii) the death of the recipient or (iii) the recipient’s failure to be re‑elected to the Board of Directors in any election in which the recipient stands for re‑election.

Fiscal 2016 Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation of Cherokee’s non‑employee directors for Fiscal 2016: 

 

(1)At the end of Fiscal 2016, each of our non‑employee directors held stock options to purchase the following number of shares of our common stock: (i) Timothy Ewing, 44,000; (ii) Robert Galvin, 36,000; (iii) Keith Hull, 44,000; (iv) Jess Ravich, 61,000; and (v) Frank Tworecke, 36,000. At the end of Fiscal 2016, each of our non‑employee directors held RSUs for the following number of shares of our common stock: (i) Timothy Ewing, 7,500; (ii) Robert Galvin, 7,500; (iii) Keith Hull, 7,500; (iv) Jess Ravich, 40,000; and (v) Frank Tworecke, 7,500.

(2)Represents the grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For more information, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report filed with the SEC on April 14, 2016.

Risks Related to Compensation Policies and Practices

The Compensation Committee has considered whether our overall compensation program for employees in Fiscal 2016 creates incentives for employees to take excessive or unreasonable risks that could materially harm Cherokee. We believe that several features of our compensation policies for management‑level employees appropriately mitigate such risks, including a mix of long‑ and short‑term compensation incentives that we believe is properly weighted and the uniformity of compensation policies across Cherokee’s employees. We also believe our internal legal and financial controls appropriately mitigate the probability and potential impact of an individual employee committing us to a harmful long‑term business transaction in exchange for short‑term compensation benefits.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Cherokee currently maintains one equity compensation plan, the 2013 Plan, which became effective following its approval by our stockholders on July 16, 2013. The 2013 Plan serves as the successor to the Predecessor Plan, which terminated concurrently with the approval by our stockholders of the 2013 Plan (except with respect to awards previously granted under the Predecessor Plan that remain outstanding). The share reserve under the 2013 Plan includes the shares available for grant or subject to outstanding awards under the Predecessor Plan, plus 700,000 shares. We are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan at the Annual Meeting in order to increase the shares reserved thereunder by 500,000 shares, which is described in detail in Item 3 of this Proxy Statement.

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under the 2013 Plan as of January 30, 2016:

(1)Represents shares reserved under the 2013 Plan as of January 30, 2016.

(2)Excludes restricted stock awards and performance stock unit awards, which have no associated exercise price.

(3)Represents outstanding awards granted outside of the Predecessor Plan or the 2013 Plan, consisting of: (i) an option to purchase up to 187,500 shares granted to Mr. Stupp (of which half of the shares subject to such stock option were transferred to Mr. Stupp’s former spouse pursuant to a domestic relations order), and (ii) an option to purchase up to 30,000 shares granted to Mr. Boling.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole or part, the following report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filing.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee of Cherokee’s Board of Directors is comprised of independent directors as required by applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and rules of the SEC. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.

The role of the Audit Committee is to oversee Cherokee’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management of Cherokee has the primary responsibility for Cherokee’s financial statements, as well as Cherokee’s financial reporting process, accounting principles and internal controls. Cherokee’s independent public accountants are responsible for performing an audit of Cherokee’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of such financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of Cherokee as of and for the year ended January 30, 2016 with management and Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 1301 (Communication with Audit Committees) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and as currently in effect. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm required by Rule 3526 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence) as currently in effect, and it has discussed with Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm their independence from Cherokee.

The members of the Audit Committee are not engaged in the accounting or auditing profession. In the performance of their oversight function, the members of the Audit Committee necessarily relied upon the information, opinions, reports and statements presented to them by management of Cherokee and by Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm. As a result, the Audit Committee’s oversight and the review and discussions referred to above do not assure that management has maintained adequate financial reporting processes, principles and internal controls, that Cherokee’s financial statements are accurate, that the audit of such financial statements has been conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that Cherokee’s independent public accounting firm meet the applicable standards for independent public accounting firm’s independence.

Based on the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,

Audit Committee

Mr. Robert Galvin, Chairman

Mr. Tim Ewing

Mr. Keith Hull

OTHER MATTERS

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

Our policy is to require that any transaction with a related party required to be reported under applicable SEC rules, other than compensation‑related matters and waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, be reviewed and approved or ratified by our Audit Committee (if such transactions are not reviewed or overseen by another independent body of the Board), pursuant to the terms of the written charter of the Audit Committee and , in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5630. We have not adopted formal written procedures for the review, or standards for the approval, of these transactions, but instead our Audit Committee reviews such transactions on a case‑by‑case basis and generally focuses on whether the terms of such transactions are at least as favorable to us as terms we would receive on an arm’s‑length basis from an unaffiliated third party.

Cherokee has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements require Cherokee to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their director and/or executive officer position with Cherokee.

For information with respect to employment agreements and compensation and compensation for Board service, see the descriptions under “Executive Compensation” above.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file various reports with the SEC concerning their holdings of, and transactions in, our securities. SEC rules also require that copies of these filings be furnished to us.

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us, we believe that, during Fiscal 2016, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were met.

Stockholder Proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

The submission deadline for stockholder proposals to be included in our proxy materials for the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a‑8 under the Exchange Act is December 28, 2016 if the meeting is held between May 7, 2017 and July 6, 2017 or, if the meeting is not held within these dates, a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials for the meeting. All such proposals must be in writing and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a‑8 in all respects, and must be sent to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices.

In addition, our Bylaws provide that, for stockholder nominations of directors or other proposals to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders outside the processes of Rule 14a‑8, a stockholder must have given timely written notice of the proposal or nomination to Cherokee. To be timely for the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, (i) in the case of a stockholder seeking to have a proposal or nominee included in our proxy materials, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices between October 29, 2016 and December 28, 2016 if the meeting is held between May 7, 2017 and July 6, 2017 or, if the meeting is not held within these dates, no later than the 90th day before the date of the meeting or the 15th day after our first public announcement of the date of the meeting, whichever is later, and (ii) in the case of a stockholder not seeking inclusion of a proposal or nominee in our proxy materials, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days before the date of the meeting. A stockholder’s notice to Cherokee must set forth, as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, all of the information required by our Bylaws. We will not entertain any proposals or nominations at the Annual Meeting or at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders that do not meet the requirements set forth in our Bylaws. Stockholders may reference a copy of our Bylaws by accessing the filings we make with the SEC, which are available through our website at www.cherokeeglobalbrands.com or through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Further, if we comply and the stockholder does not comply with the requirements of Rule 14a‑4(c)(2) under the Exchange Act, we may