Liz Claiborne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Liz Claiborne
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Claiborne in 1982
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| Born |
Anne Elisabeth Jane Claiborne
March 31, 1929 |
| Died | June 26, 2007 (aged 78) New York City, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Fine Arts School and Painters Studio, Belgium (1947) Nice Academy (1948) |
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Label(s)
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Liz Claiborne |
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| Relatives | Jennifer Farber (niece) |
Anne Elisabeth Jane Claiborne (born March 31, 1929 – died June 26, 2007) was a famous American fashion designer and businesswoman. She became well-known for making stylish but affordable clothes for women who worked. Her designs often featured colorful pieces that could be easily mixed and matched.
Liz Claiborne is most famous for starting her own company, Liz Claiborne Inc. In 1986, it became the first company started by a woman to join the Fortune 500 list. This list includes the 500 largest companies in the United States. Claiborne was also the first woman to become the chair and CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Claiborne was born in Brussels, Belgium, to American parents. Her family was well-known in Louisiana. One of her ancestors, William C. C. Claiborne, was Louisiana's first governor after it became a state. This was during the War of 1812.
In 1939, when World War II began, her family moved back to New Orleans, USA. Claiborne attended St. Timothy's School for Girls in Maryland. She and her sisters also went to Mountain Lakes High School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
Instead of finishing high school, Claiborne went to Europe. She studied art informally in painters' studios. Her father did not think she needed a formal education.
Fashion Career
In 1949, Claiborne won a national design contest sponsored by Harper's Bazaar magazine. After that, she moved to Manhattan, New York City. She worked for many years in the Garment District, Manhattan, which is a famous area for fashion.
She started as a sketch artist for Tina Leser, a company that made sportswear. She also worked for Omar Kiam, who was a Hollywood costume designer who later became a fashion designer. Before starting her own company, she also designed for Dan Keller and Youth Group Inc.
Starting Liz Claiborne Inc.
Claiborne felt frustrated because the companies she worked for did not make practical clothes for working women. So, in 1976, she decided to start her own design company. She launched Liz Claiborne Inc. with her husband, Art Ortenberg, and two other partners, Leonard Boxer and Jerome Chazen.
Her new company was an instant success. In 1976, sales reached $2 million. By 1978, sales grew to $23 million. By 1988, Liz Claiborne Inc. had captured a large part of the American women's upscale sportswear market.
Claiborne created new ways to sell clothes in stores. She insisted that her clothing line be displayed together in one area. This was like a separate department within a larger store. This meant customers could find many different types of clothing by her brand name in one place. This idea of grouping special brands together is now common in many stores today.
In 1980, Liz Claiborne Accessories was started. The company went public in 1981, meaning its shares could be bought and sold by the public. In 1986, with retail sales of $1.2 billion, Liz Claiborne Inc. made the Fortune 500 list.
Claiborne believed in treating all employees equally. She listed everyone in her company directory in alphabetical order. She was known for her love of the color red, often called "Liz Red." Sometimes, she would pretend to be a saleswoman to hear what everyday women thought of her clothes.
Later Life and Retirement
Liz Claiborne's first marriage was to Ben Shultz. They divorced in 1954. In 1957, she married Arthur Ortenberg, who was also her co-worker. She had one son from her first marriage, Alexander G. Shultz. She also had two stepchildren from her second marriage, Neil and Nancy Ortenberg.
Claiborne retired from managing the company in 1989. Her husband also retired at the same time. By then, the company had bought other businesses, including Kayser-Roth, which made Liz Claiborne accessories.
After retiring, Claiborne and Ortenberg started a foundation. This foundation gave millions of dollars to help environmental causes. They helped fund the TV series Nature on PBS. They also supported nature conservation projects around the world. Liz Claiborne received an honorary degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.
In May 1997, Claiborne was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She passed away from this cancer on June 26, 2007, at the age of 78.
Awards and Honors
- 1990 - National Business Hall of Fame
- 1991 - National Sales Hall of Fame
- 1991 - Honorary Doctorate from the Rhode Island School of Design
- 1993 - Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- 2000 - Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award
See also
In Spanish: Liz Claiborne para niños
