Frustrated by the lack of affordable, stylish business clothing for women, Liz Claiborne started her own fashion company in 1976.
It was an immediate success. By 1988, Liz Claiborne, Inc., was a full 1/3rd of the upscale women’s sportswear market.
The company acquired numerous other smaller companies over the years and began to diversify, offering eyeglasses, perfume, purses, belts, and other accessories, as well as men’s clothing.
Liz Claiborne Inc. went public in 1981 and made the Fortune 500 list in 1986 with retail sales of $1.2 billion. This was the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500 list.
Liz Claiborne herself retired from active management in 1989 but her company still going strong, despite issues with JCPenney.
Liz Claiborne maintains a corporate office in New York, New York.
Frustrated by the lack of affordable, stylish business clothing for women, Liz Claiborne started her own fashion company in 1976.
It was an immediate success. By 1988, Liz Claiborne, Inc., was a full 1/3rd of the upscale women’s sportswear market.
The company acquired numerous other smaller companies over the years and began to diversify, offering eyeglasses, perfume, purses, belts, and other accessories, as well as men’s clothing.
History
Liz Claiborne Inc. went public in 1981 and made the Fortune 500 list in 1986 with retail sales of $1.2 billion. This was the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500 list.
Liz Claiborne herself retired from active management in 1989 but her company still going strong, despite issues with JCPenney.
Liz Claiborne maintains a corporate office in New York, New York.