Liz Claiborne (fashion designer) 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 (March 31, 1929 – June 26, 2007) was an American fashion designer and businesswoman. She became famous for making stylish, yet affordable, clothes for women who worked. Her designs often featured colorful pieces that could be mixed and matched.
Claiborne is best known for co-founding 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 biggest companies in the United States. Liz Claiborne was also the first woman to become the chair and CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Liz Claiborne was born in Brussels, Belgium. Her parents were American. 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. Liz went to St. Timothy's School for Girls in Maryland. She and her sisters also attended Mountain Lakes High School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
Instead of finishing high school, Claiborne went to Europe. She studied art in painters' studios. Her father did not think she needed a formal education. So, she learned art in an informal way.
Fashion Career Beginnings
In 1949, Claiborne won a national design contest. It was sponsored by Harper's Bazaar magazine. After winning, she moved to Manhattan, New York City. She worked for many years in the Garment District. This area is famous for fashion businesses.
She started as a sketch artist for Tina Leser, a sportswear company. She also worked for Omar Kiam, a former Hollywood costume designer. Later, she designed clothes for other fashion labels like 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 company. She launched Liz Claiborne Inc. with her husband, Art Ortenberg, and two partners, Leonard Boxer and Jerome Chazen.
The company was an instant success. Sales were $2 million in 1976. By 1978, sales grew to $23 million. By 1988, her company made up one-third of the American women's upscale sportswear market.
Claiborne also changed how retail stores worked. She insisted that her clothing line be shown together. It was like a separate department in a store. This was new at the time. Customers could find many different types of clothing by the same brand in one spot. This way of grouping brands is now common in stores today.
In 1980, Liz Claiborne Accessories was created. The company went public in 1981. This means its shares could be bought and sold on the stock market. In 1986, Liz Claiborne Inc. made the Fortune 500 list. Its retail sales reached $1.2 billion.
Liz Claiborne had unique ways of leading her company. She listed all employees in her company directory in alphabetical order. She wanted to avoid traditional male-dominated structures. She was known for her love of the color red, often called "Liz Red." She would sometimes pretend to be a saleswoman. This helped her learn what everyday women thought of her clothes.
Later Life and Legacy
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 stopped actively managing the company in 1989. Her husband also retired at the same time. By then, the company had bought other businesses, like Kayser-Roth. This company made Liz Claiborne accessories.
In retirement, Liz Claiborne and Art 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, Liz Claiborne was told she had a rare type of cancer. It affected the lining of her abdomen. She passed away from this cancer on June 26, 2007. She was 78 years old.
Awards and Recognition
- 1990 - National Business Hall of Fame (Junior Achievement)
- 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
