"some connection between this luthier and Guild."
Besides existing on the same planet and probably having admired fine Guild AA guitars, the design on the Guild headstock quite "inspired" by a Gothic archway design predating AD by centuries, the round headed trefoil.
In my mind it's quite likely two luthiers separated by an ocean could use that same design although in this case, it seems to pay homage to Guild's output of some of the finest acoustic Jazz guitars of all time.