Xcel Brands (XELB) S-3 Shelf registration

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2024

Registration Statement No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

XCEL BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 76-0307819
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1333 Broadway, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(347) 727-2474

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Robert J. D’Loren

Chief Executive Officer

1333 Broadway, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(347) 727-2474

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Brad L. Shiffman, Esq.

Blank Rome LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

(212) 885-5442

(Name, address and telephone number)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer‌☐	Accelerated filer‌☐
Non-accelerated filer‌☒	Smaller reporting company‌☒
	Emerging growth company‌☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.  

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.  

Subject to Completion, Dated January 25, 2024

PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

We may, from time to time, offer and sell up to $100,000,000 of any combination of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination with other securities, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.  We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt securities, common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants or units.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer.  Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities.  We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings.  The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.  You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

Securities may be sold by us to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time.  For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement.  If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth,  in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.  No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XELB.” On January 23, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.55 per share.  The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to

any other listing, if any, on any securities market or other exchange of the specific security covered by such prospectus supplement.

As of January 23, 2024, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was $17,115,550, based on 19,878,054 shares of our outstanding common stock, of which 11,042,290 shares were held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $1.55, the closing sale price of our common stock on January 23, 2024.  Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 to a registration statement on Form S-3, in no event will we sell our securities in a public primary offering with an aggregate market value exceeding one-third of our public float in a twelve-calendar month period so long as our public float remains below $75,000,000.  We have not offered or sold any securities during the past twelve months pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 to Form S-3.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.  

The date of this prospectus is January 25, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS‌i

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY‌1

RISK FACTORS‌6

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS‌6

USE OF PROCEEDS‌7

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK‌7

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES‌13

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS‌21

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS‌24

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION‌25

LEGAL MATTERS‌27

EXPERTS‌28

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION‌28

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE‌28

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process.  Under this shelf registration statement, we may sell from time to time in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000 of common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants or units to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination with other securities as described in this prospectus.  Each time we sell any type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering.  We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings.  The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  To the extent that any statement that we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in a prospectus supplement.  You should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information,” before buying any of the securities being offered.  THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you.  If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.  This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor does this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information.  All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents.  Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies

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of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “Xcel,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar references refer to Xcel Brands, Inc., an entity incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and where appropriate our consolidated subsidiaries.

This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies.  All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein and does not contain all the information that may be important to purchasers of our securities.  Prospective purchasers of our securities should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  Prospective purchasers of our securities should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Company Overview

Xcel is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, production, marketing, live streaming, wholesale distribution, and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands.  Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as one thing.  Currently, the Company’s brand portfolio consists of the LOGO by Lori Goldstein brand (the “Lori Goldstein Brand”), the Halston brands (the “Halston Brand”), the Judith Ripka brands (the “Ripka Brand”), the C Wonder brands (the “C Wonder Brand”), the Longaberger brand (the “Longaberger Brand”), the Isaac Mizrahi brands (the “Isaac Mizrahi Brand”), and other proprietary brands:

• The Lori Goldstein Brand, Halston Brand, Ripka Brand, and C Wonder Brand are wholly owned by the Company.

• We manage the Longaberger Brand through our 50% ownership interest in Longaberger Licensing, LLC.

• The Company wholly owned and managed the Isaac Mizrahi Brand through May 31, 2022.  On May 31, 2022, we sold a majority interest in the brand to a third party, but retained a 30% noncontrolling interest in the brand and continue to contribute to the operations of the brand through a service agreement.

Xcel continues to pioneer a true omni-channel sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, wholesale, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customers shop.  Our brands have generated over $3 billion in retail sales via live streaming in interactive television and digital channels alone

Our objective is to build a diversified portfolio of lifestyle consumer brands through organic growth and the strategic acquisition of new brands.  To grow our brands, we are focused on the following primary strategies:

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• distribution and/or licensing of our brands for sale through interactive television (i.e., QVC, HSN, The Shopping Channel, TVSN, CJO, JTV, etc.);

• licensing of our brands to retailers that sell to the end consumer;

• direct-to-consumer distribution of our brands through e-commerce and live streaming;

• licensing our brands to manufacturers and retailers for promotion and distribution through e-commerce, social commerce, and traditional brick-and-mortar retail channels whereby we provide certain design services; and

• acquiring additional consumer brands and integrating them into our operating platform and leveraging our operating infrastructure and distribution relationships.

We believe that Xcel offers a unique value proposition to our retail and direct-to-consumer customers and our licensees for the following reasons:

• our management team, including our officers’ and directors’ experience in, and relationships within the industry;

• our deep knowledge, expertise, and proprietary technology in live streaming;

• our design, production, sales, marketing, and supply chain and integrated technology platform that enables us to design and distribute trend-right product; and

• our significant media and internet presence.

We utilize state-of-the-art supply chain management technology, trend analytics, and data science to actively monitor fashion trends and read and react to customer demands

General Corporate Information

The Company was incorporated on August 31, 1989 in the State of Delaware under the name Houston Operating Company.  On April 19, 2005, we changed our name to NetFabric Holdings, Inc. On September 29, 2011, Xcel Brands, Inc., a privately-held Delaware corporation (which we refer to as Old Xcel), Netfabric Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and certain stockholders of the Company entered into an agreement of merger and plan of reorganization pursuant to which Netfabric Acquisition Corp. was merged with and into Old Xcel, with Old Xcel surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  On September 29, 2011, we changed our name to Xcel Brands, Inc.

Our principal office is located at 1333 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.  Our telephone number is (347) 727-2474.

Additionally, we maintain websites for our respective brands and an e-commerce site for our Judith Ripka brand at www.isaacmizrahi.com, www.halston.com, www.cwonder.com, www.longaberger.com, www.lorigoldstein.com, and www.judithripka.com.  Our corporate website is www.xcelbrands.com.  The information contained on, or that can be accessed through,

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our websites is not part of, and should not be construed as being incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

The Securities We May Offer

We may offer shares of our common stock, preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or as units in combination with other securities, with a total value of up to $100,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of any offering.  This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.  Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

• designation or classification;

• aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

• maturity;

• original issue discount;

• rates and times of payment of interest or dividends;

• redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms;

• ranking;

• restrictive covenants;

• voting or other rights;

• conversion or exchange prices or rates and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; and

• a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations, if any.

The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference.  However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers.  We, and our agents, underwriters or dealers reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities.  If we do offer securities to or through agents, underwriters or dealers, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

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• the names of those agents, underwriters or dealers;

• applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

• details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

• the net proceeds to us.

The following is a summary of the securities we may offer with this prospectus.

Common Stock

We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time.  Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and subject to any contractual agreement entered into by any holder of shares.  Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of our common stock that are present in person or represented by proxy.  A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our certificate of incorporation.  Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

The holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to such cash dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors from funds available therefore.  Upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all remaining assets then-available for distribution to such holders.  Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights and no conversion rights, and there are no redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series as the board may determine from time to time.  Each such class or series shall be distinctly designated.  All shares of any one class or series of the preferred stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends thereon, if any, shall be cumulative, if made cumulative.  The voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series outstanding at any time.  Our board of directors has express authority to fix (by resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of each particular class or series of preferred stock) the number of shares, voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of each such class or series.  The rights granted to the holders of any series of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and the issuance of preferred stock may delay, defer or prevent a change in our control.

If we sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of such series of preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series.  We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate

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by reference from reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock that we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt.  The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.  The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness.  Convertible debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities.  Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

Any debt securities issued under this prospectus will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee.  In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities.  We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.  A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series.  We may issue warrants independently or as units in combination with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.  In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants.  We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of warrants being offered, as well as any warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.  We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.

Any warrants issued under this prospectus may be evidenced by warrant certificates.  Warrants also may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent.  

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We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

Units

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series.  We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement.  We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent.  Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select.  We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the units under “Description of Units.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreement that contains the terms of the units.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be updated by subsequent annual, quarterly and other reports that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety.  The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material.  There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results.  Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.  If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed.  This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.  Please also read carefully the section below entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, contains, and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus including the documents we incorporate by reference therein may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including statements regarding our future financial condition, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations.  Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe,” “will,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “might,” “approximately,” “expect,” “predict,” “could,” “potentially” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.  These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited

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to, statements regarding our anticipated revenue, expenses, profitability, strategic plans, and capital needs.

Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto.

These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  We discuss in greater detail, and incorporate by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, many of these risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering, and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.  These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties.  We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.  Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby.  Except as described in any prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder primarily for working capital and general corporate purposes.  We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share.  As of January 23, 2024, 19,878,0054 shares of common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock.  The description of capital stock is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws.

Common Stock

Voting Rights.  Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and subject to any contractual agreement entered into by any holder of shares.  Generally, all matters to be voted on

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by stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of our common stock that are present in person or represented by proxy.  Holders of our common stock representing a majority of our capital stock issued, outstanding, and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of our stockholders.  A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our certificate of incorporation.  Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Dividends.  The holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to such cash dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors from funds available, therefore.  

Liquidation Rights.  Upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all remaining assets available for distribution to such holders, after payment of liabilities and after provision has been made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock.

Rights and Preferences.  The rights, preferences, and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preemptive or Similar Rights.  Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and no conversion rights, and there are no redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.

Merger or Consolidation: In the event of any merger or consolidation with or into another company in connection with which shares of our common stock are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other securities, or property (including cash), all holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash).

Preferred Stock

This section describes the general terms of our preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate.  A prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to any preferred stock to be offered by us in greater detail, and may provide information that is different from this prospectus.  If the information in the prospectus supplement with respect to the particular preferred stock being offered differs from this prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.  A copy of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, has been incorporated by reference from our filings with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement.  A certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation will specify the terms of the preferred stock being offered, and will be filed or incorporated by reference from a report that we file with the SEC.

Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock.  Unless required by law or by any stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by stockholders.  Our board of directors is able to determine the designations, powers, and relative rights, privileges, preferences and other terms, including terms

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relating to dividend rates, redemption rates, liquidation preferences and voting, sinking fund and conversion or other rights on, a series of preferred stock.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the preferred stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which may be issued by us in the future.  The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following description of our preferred stock, together with any description of our preferred stock in a prospectus supplement summarizes the material terms and provisions of the preferred stock that we may sell under this prospectus.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement(s) related to the particular series of preferred stock that we sell under this prospectus and to the actual terms and provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each as amended from time to time.

Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the amendment to our certificate of incorporation relating to that series.  We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock.  This description of the preferred stock in the amendment to our certificate of incorporation and any applicable prospectus supplement may include:

• the title and stated value;

• the number of shares we are offering;

• the liquidation preference per share;

• the purchase price;

• the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends;

• whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

• the procedures for any auction and remarketing;

• the provisions for a sinking fund;

• the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

• any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

• whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;

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• whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;

• voting rights of the preferred stock;

• preemptive rights;

• restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment;

• whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

• a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

• the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;

• any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Charter Documents and Some Provisions of Delaware Law

Delaware Law

We are incorporated in the State of Delaware.  As a result, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

• before such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

• upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

• at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by

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written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines a “business combination” to include the following:

• any merger or consolidation involving the corporation or a direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation and the interested stockholder;

• any sale, lease, mortgage, pledge transfer, or other disposition of the assets of the corporation or direct or indirect majority-owned a subsidiary of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder, which assets have an aggregate value equal to 10% or more of the fair value of the assets on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of the outstanding stock of the corporation;

• subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation or a direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the corporation or subsidiary to the interested stockholder;

• any transaction involving the corporation or direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation or the subsidiary beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

• the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation or direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person (other than the corporation any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation) who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.  A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its certificate of incorporation.  Since we have not opted out of Section 203, Section 203 may discourage or prevent mergers or other takeover or change of control attempts of us.  

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders.  Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding are able to elect all of our directors.  Our bylaws also provide that directors may be removed by the stockholders only for cause upon the vote of 66 2/3% of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.  Furthermore, the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors, and vacancies and newly created directorships on the board of directors may, except as otherwise required by law or determined by the board, only be filled by a majority vote of the directors then serving on the board, even though less than a quorum.

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Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock.  Unless required by law or by any stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by stockholders.  Our board of directors is able to determine the designations, powers, and relative rights, privileges, preferences and other terms, including terms relating to dividend rates, redemption rates, liquidation preferences and voting, sinking fund and conversion or other rights on, a series of preferred stock.

Our bylaws provide that any action required by the General Corporation Law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.  Our bylaws also provide that special meetings may be called by a majority of the whole board or by any officer instructed by a majority of the whole board to call the meeting.

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must comply with the notice provisions set forth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to, providing timely notice in proper written form to the Secretary.

Our bylaws provide that, except as otherwise provided by the General Corporate Law or the certificate of incorporation, any amendment to, repeal of, or adoption of any provisions inconsistent with these Bylaws, which has not previously received the approval of the Board, shall require for adoption the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of stockholders and entitled to vote thereat.  Our bylaws further provide that many of the provisions require for adoption the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at a duly called and convened annual or special meeting of stockholders.

The combination of these provisions makes it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors.  Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management.  In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.

These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids.  These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to hostile takeovers and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights.  However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of delaying changes in our control or management.

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.  The transfer agent’s address is 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004.  The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XELB.” The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on any securities market or other exchange of the specific security covered by such prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt.  While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.  Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture.  The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act.  We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue.  It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate.  Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

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We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.  These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities.  Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

• the title of the series of debt securities;

• any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

• the maturity date or dates;

• the form of the debt securities of the series;

• the applicability of any guarantees;

• whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

• whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

• if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

• the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

• our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

• if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

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• the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

• the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

• any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;

• whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

• if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;

• if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

• additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

• additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

• additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

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• the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;

• whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

• the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

• any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities.  We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option.  We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety.  However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default under the Indenture

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

• if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

• if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon

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redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

• if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

• if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately.  If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture.  Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity.  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

• the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

• subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

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• the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

• the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,

• such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and

• the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

• to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

• to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”

• to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

• to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

• to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

• to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

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• to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities—General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

• to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or

• to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected.  However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

• extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series; •  reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or

• reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

• provide for payment;

• register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

• replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

• pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

• maintain paying agencies;

• hold monies for payment in trust;

• recover excess money held by the trustee;

• compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

• appoint any successor trustee.

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In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.  The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series.  To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating such securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose.  Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities.  We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

• issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

• register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

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Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture.  Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.  Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders.  Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series.  We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series.  We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series.  Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement.  While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the

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applicable prospectus supplement.  The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.

We have filed or will file forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.  We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.  The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including, to the extent applicable:

• the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

• the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

• the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

• the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

• in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

• in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

• the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

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• the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

• any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

• the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

• the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

• a discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

• the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

• in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any; or

• in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement.  Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant or warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent, if applicable, in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.  We will set forth on the reverse side of any warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to any warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.

Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise.  If fewer than all of the warrants (or the

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warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.

Governing Law

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the warrants or warrant agreements, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant.  A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants.  A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us.  Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and related free writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus.  While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The following description of units will apply to the units offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of units may specify different or additional terms.

We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that contains the terms of the particular series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units offered under this prospectus.  The following summary of material terms and provisions of the units is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series.  Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.  Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and

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obligations of a holder of each included security.  The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.  We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement.  We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent.  Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select.  We will indicate the name and address of any unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units being offered, including:

• the title of the series of units;

• identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

• the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

• the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

• a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

• any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, “at the market” offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods.  We may sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters or dealers (acting as principal or agent), through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers.  We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

• at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

• at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

• at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

• at negotiated prices.

• We will describe the terms of the offering of the securities and the specific plan of distribution in a prospectus supplement or supplements to this prospectus, any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or other filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference.  Such description may include, to the extent applicable;

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• the name or names of the underwriters, dealers or agents or other purchasers, if any;

• the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

• any option to purchase additional shares or other options under which underwriters, dealers, agents or other purchasers may purchase additional securities from us;

• any agency fees or underwriting discounts to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

• all other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

• any public offering price;

• any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

• any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.  Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts.  If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.  The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement.  We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate.  Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any option to purchase additional shares or other option.  If a dealer is used in the sale of securities, we, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal.  The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.  To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction.  Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.  We may use underwriters, dealers or agents with whom we have a material relationship.  We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, dealer or agent, the nature of any such relationship.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time.  We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent in the prospectus supplement.  Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

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We may provide agents, dealers and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities.  Agents, dealers and underwriters or their affiliates may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market.  Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.  We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Any underwriter may be granted an option to purchase additional shares, and engage in, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.  An underwriter’s option to purchase additional share involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position.  Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price.  Syndicate covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of option to purchase additional shares or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions.  Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions.  Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be.  If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

Any underwriters, dealers or agents that are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock.  Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers.  In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.  Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon for us by Blank Rome LLP, New York, New York.  Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, an attorney of Blank Rome LLP beneficially owns securities exercisable to purchase shares of our common stock that represent less than 1% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of  Xcel Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of Marcum LLP, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC.  This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement.  For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement.  Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information.  We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.  You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.  Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Additional information about Xcel Brands, Inc. is contained at our website, www.xcelbrands.com.  Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.  We make available on our website our SEC filings as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are filed with the SEC.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC.  The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 001-37527.  The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

• Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023;

• Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on May 18, 2023, August 11, 2023 and November 20, 2023, respectively;

• Our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 7, 2023, October 20, 2023 and December 7, 2023 (other than as indicated therein); and

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• The description of our Common Stock set forth in: (i) our registration statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on September 18, 2000, pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description, and (ii) Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed and not incorporated in this prospectus) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering.  These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents.  You can request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Xcel Brands, Inc.

1333 Broadway, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(347) 727-2474

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Any statement contained in this prospectus or contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any subsequently filed supplement to this prospectus, or document deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, modifies or supersedes such statement.

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, all of which shall be borne by the Registrant, in connection with the offering of the securities pursuant to this Registration Statement:

	Amount
SEC registration fee	$	14,760
Printing and engraving expenses		(1)
Legal fees and expenses		(1)
Accountant’s fees and expenses		(1)
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses		(1)
Trustee fees and expenses		(1)
Miscellaneous		(1)
Total	$	(1)

(1) These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time.  An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), as amended, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, agent or employee of the corporation or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, agent, or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.  The power to indemnify applies (a) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (b) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was

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unlawful.  The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses (including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event of any adjudication of negligence or misconduct in the performance of duties to the corporation, unless the court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.

Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director, who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, may be held liable for such actions.  A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

The registrant’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, a director’s personal liability to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

In addition, the registrant’s by-laws provide that the registrant will indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and the employment agreements with the registrant’s executive officers and indemnification agreements between the registrant and its directors and certain of its officers provide that the registrant will indemnify them to the full extent provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

The Company maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which covers certain liabilities, including liabilities to the Company and its stockholders.

Any underwriting agreement, agency agreement, equity distribution agreement or similar agreement that the Registrant may enter into will likely provide for indemnification by any underwriters or agents of the Registrant, its directors, its officers who sign the registration statement and the Registrant’s controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Item 16.  Exhibits

The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement, which immediately precedes the Signature Page and which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

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(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement or are contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the

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Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus.  As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.  Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement

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relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
1.1**	Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Xcel Brands, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 24, 2017)
3.2	Third Restated and Amended Bylaws of Xcel Brands, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 8, 2017
4.1	Description of Registrant’s Securities (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2021)
4.2**	Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate
4.3**	Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock
4.4*	Form of Indenture
4.5**	Form of Debt Securities
4.6**	Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.7**	Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.8**	Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.9**	Form of Unit Agreement
5.1*	Opinion of Blank Rome LLP
23.1*	Consent of Marcum LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2*	Consent of Blank Rome LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*	Power of Attorney (included on the signature page)
25.1***	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture
107.1*	Filing Fee Table

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* Filed herewith.

** To be filed, if applicable, by amendment or by a report filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.

*** To be filed separately, if applicable, in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the appropriate rules and regulations thereunder.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 25th day of January 2024.

XCEL BRANDS, INC.

By:/s/ Robert W. D’Loren

Robert W. D’Loren

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Robert W. D’Loren and James F. Haran, and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution in each of them for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Robert W. D’Loren​ ​ Robert W. D’Loren	Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)	January 25, 2024
/s/ James F. Haran​ ​ James F. Haran	Chief Financial Officer and Vice President (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)	January 25, 2024
/s/ Howard Liebman​ ​ Howard Liebman	Director	January 25, 2024
/s/ Mark DiSanto​ ​ Mark DiSanto	Director	January 25, 2024
/s/ James Fielding​ ​ James Fielding	Director	January 25, 2024
/s/​ ​ Deborah Weinswig	Director

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