Liz Claiborne Taps Isaac Mizrahi and John Bartlett
New York–based manufacturing giant Liz Claiborne Inc. tapped two well-known designers to head up the women’s and men’s divisions of its Liz Claiborne brand. Isaac Mizrahi will oversee the women’s collection, with his first collections for apparel, accessories and licensed lines launching for Spring ’09. Liz’s men’s line will be revamped by John Bartlett, a winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s “Perry Ellis Menswear” award. The new line, called Claiborne by John Bartlett, will also launch for Spring ’09. Liz Claiborne recently divided its brands into two divisions and earmarked several for review and possible sell-off. Liz’s Laundry by Design and C&C California were recently sold to Perry Ellis International Inc. for about $37 million. Its Sigrid Olsen label will be shuttered, and its Enyce brand will be retained. The company’s Dana Buchman, Ellen Tracy, Kensie, Mac & Jac and prAna brands are still under review.
