Liz Claiborne is a world-famous fashion designer, known for practical yet elegant designs. Originally born and raised in Brussels, Claiborne moved to New Orleans and then returned to Europe to educate herself about fashion and art. Upon her return to New York, she got work as a designer and spent nearly a quarter century honing her skills before establishing her own company, Liz Claiborne, Inc.

In the beginning, Liz Claiborne was a minor women's sportswear label featuring coordinated separates: tops, pants, skirts, sweaters, shorts, and jackets. However, thanks to wise decisions on the part of management, the company slowly but surely acquired a vast catalog of labels, fragrances, and patterns. Today, Liz Claiborne Inc. manages some of the world's most beloved brands and features head-to-toe apparel for both men and women, as well as accessories such as elegant bags.

The company manages a truly dizzying number of brands, including Villager, Monet, Mambo, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Dungarees. In addition, it has licenses to retail a number of top-end brands, including DK&Y jeans and activewear and Kenneth Cole New York items. Liz Claiborne retired from her business in 1989, 13 years after she founded her company.

Liz Claiborne Inc. supports a number of charitable ventures, sponsoring everything from nonprofits that help poor and disadvantaged women optimize their possibilities to HIV treatment programs. The Liz Claiborne Foundation provides matching gifts to encourage donations, and it supports a breathtaking array of health programs, arts programs, and educational initiatives. The company continues to expand into relatively untapped markets in East Asia and Europe.