Claiborne, Liz

Liz Claiborne (1929 – 2007) began her long career in fashion as a sketcher for Tina Leser in the 1950s. She later became a design assistant to Omar Kiam at Ben Reig, and in the late 1950s, designer for Dan Keller. Claiborne worked as a designer at Youth Guild starting in 1960. She was there for sixteen years before starting her own label in 1976. Her mid-priced casual working clothes were successful from the very beginning. She retired in 1989, but the label continued, very much in the spirit of the founder, with casual, comfortable clothes. Liz Claiborne died in 2007.

Later that year, Tim Gunn was hired as the chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne. In 2008 designer Isaac Mizrahi was hired to design the Liz Claiborne New York label.

In 2010, Liz Claiborne closed all their stores and stopped distribution to department stores. The clothes were available only at JC Penney and through television retailer QVC.

See also: Youth Guild

Written by fuzzylizzie

See vintage Liz Claiborne from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of daisyfairbanks

from an early-1980s blouse

Courtesy of @theopshoproc

from a 1980s skirt

Courtesy of ikonicvintage

from a 1980s velour jumpsuit

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1980s skirt

Courtesy of hollie point vintage

from an 1980s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from 1980s pants

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a late-1980s denim shirt

Courtesy of @theopshoproc

from a late-1980s blouse

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a mid-1990s evening dress

Courtesy of catwalkvintage