Liz Claiborne Dies at 78

Liz Claiborne, the fashion designer famous for making practical clothes for the working woman, has died at age 78. She'd been hospitalized for cancer and passed away yesterday. She'd been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (one that affects the lining of the abdomen) back in 1997.

She founded her company 30 years ago (when fashion remained a male-dominated industry) and offered simple yet stylish separates -- in real women's sizes, not just eensy weensy Twiggy sizes -- that coordinated easily to create an entire wardrobe. Her clothes were professional, affordable and feminine -- and were a far cry from the frumpy suits and blouses with bows.  They became the unofficial uniform for the thousands and thousands of women who entered the workforce in the late 70's.

Her company was the first female-founded company to crack the Fortune 500 list, and it remains one of the largest to this day. Brands under the Claiborne umbrella include Juicy Couture, Ellen Tracy and Lucky Brand Jeans.

Comments

[Sils]

I adore Liz. I remember in the fifth grade I begged and received both a Liz handbag and her perfume for my birthday from my super-cool older sister who worked in an accessories shop.

[Amanda]

Oh, yeah. I definitely remember back in middle school when Liz Claiborne's handbags were The Thing to own.

[Suzy Q]

RIP, Liz. I was a very young woman (ok, an old teenager) in the late '70s and definitely wore her stuff. Too bad Juicy Couture decided to abandon us matrons. Oh well. There's always a new batch of young women to clothe and new styles in which to clothe them. As it should be.

Thanks for the remembrance, Amalah. When young women like you carry the torch and remember from whence good and/or reliable fashion came for the generations before you, we older chickies appreciate it.

[justzoot]

I'll bet at almost a quarter of my wardrobe is Liz. Whoever cuts their clothes remembers that women have breasts, waists, and hips, and that not all the measurements are the same number! They put the buttons in the right place on their blouses so you don't flash your bra when you reach for something. Quite refreshing, that.

RIP Liz Claiborne!