Sportswear maker finding right fit with public offer.

DANNY Guez is just another 28-year-old trying to make it in L.A.'s rag trade. Luckily, he has a leg up on the competition. Son of Paul Guez, founder of private label denim manufacturer Azteca Production International and of high-end Antik jeans company Blue Concepts, he has followed in the footsteps of hot jeans manufacturer True Religion by completing a reverse merger into a shell. Investment banking firm Sanders Morris Harris raised $7.8 million for People's Liberation Inc., an athletic sportswear company with 25 employees. The newly issued stock includes Guez's 50 percent stake in Justin Timberlake's new clothing line, William Rast.

"It's a bit scary but it's exciting at the same time," said Guez, of the public markets. He said both brands are doing well at retail stores.

Staff reporter Kate Berry can be reached at [phone], ext. 228, or at [e-mail].