Claiborne, Liz

(1929- )

   Born Elisabeth Claiborne Ortenberg in Brussels, Belgium, she worked as a designer for more than 25 years. In 1976 with Art Ortenberg, Leonard Bexer, and Jerome Chazen, she created Liz Claiborne. The company's concept was based on the need for affordable coordinated clothing for the increasing number of women entering the workforce; in fact, it was one of the first apparel companies to recognize the need to merchandise its product in outfits.

   By the mid-1980s the company had grown to $555.6 million in sales and achieved Fortune 500 status, a first for a female-founded company. In 1987, Dana Buchman, a designer for Claiborne, launched her own bridge label for the company. The 1990s saw the birth of numerous lines and brands including a plus-size retail chain, a home collection, and footwear. By the turn of the century, sales had reached $3.104 billion and the company had twenty-five brands. This public mega-apparel company added Laundry by Shelli Segal, Lucky Brand Jeans, Sigrid Olsen, and Juicy Couture as members of the Claiborne empire. In 2002, the company acquired Ellen Tracy, the leading bridge brand in the market. The Claiborne success was built on a true understanding of the target market and a focus on building a lifestyle brand.

   In 2006, Liz Claiborne Inc. took a significant leap in global development with an agreement to distribute selected Claiborne brands throughout the Middle East. The company is focusing on the Mexx, Liz Claiborne, Lucky Brand, and Juicy Couture lines and has also made a strategic plan to build on the strengths that were its beginning—casual and career clothes that were affordable.

   See also Megabrand; Womenswear.