Designer Spotlight-Liz Claiborne

This blouse is a hand-me-down and one that I have always kept and never given up.  Maybe because it’s silk and flowy, or maybe because I wore it on one of my first trips with my husband (then-boyfriend), but either way, I really love this blouse.  When I recently looked at the tag again and saw it was Liz Claiborne, I was surprised.  Remembering back when I was younger, Liz Claiborne seemed like the IT designer, but I rarely hear much about her anymore.  So I decided to do a little research and feature her in today’s Designer Spotlight post.

Liz Claiborne started her career in design as a sketch artist working in the Garment District in NYC.  Frustrated because companies weren’t providing working clothes for women, she started her own design company in 1976.  Liz Claiborne Inc. was an immediate success going public in 1981 and making the Fortune 500 list in 1986.  Today, the Liz Claiborne Inc. portfolio of brands includes Liz Claiborne New York, Mexx, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Jack Spade and Lucky Brand Jeans.  While having such a diverse portfolio, it’s unfortunate the Liz Claiborne web site no longer allows for online purchases.  However, you can visit your local JCPenney store to purchase Liz clothing, as JCPenney became the exclusive retailer for the Liz Claiborne brand in 2009.  So while Liz Claiborne may not be at the forefront of fashion, as it was in the 80s, her women’s work style remains timeless.

WORK

Fun Fact:  Liz Claiborne was the first designer to insist that her collection be mixed together on the department store floor, instead of being placed in separate clothing categories.  This way women could shop for a blouse right next to a pair of pants in order to coordinate, mix and match and style their outfits.  “This revolutionized the way department stores arranged clothing for sale and created the role of fashion merchandising as we know it today.”  For more information, click here to visit Wikipedia – Liz Claiborne, fashion designer.

Another Fun Fact:  Liz Claiborne would sometimes pose as a saleswoman to see what average women thought of her clothes.

Ironing Out the Details:

Blouse – Vintage LIZ CLAIBORNE striped silk blouse; Similar blouse here and here
Pants – MODCLOTH Rouge on Your Radar Pants
Blazer – Vintage; Similar blazer
LAST SEEN HERE
Necklace – Gold Chunky Necklace from CHARMING CHARLIE
Earrings – Gold Earrings (matching set with Necklace) from CHARMING CHARLIE (see above)
Watch – MICHAEL KORS 
SPOTLIGHTED HERE
Shoes –  DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Krista printed leather sandals (no longer available); Similar pair here, here and here
SPOTLIGHTED HERE
Bag – MICHAEL KORS Leather Tote (mine is Patent Leather)