Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) today announced the appointment of David DeMattei as Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Brand Jeans, effective January 4, 2010. Mr. DeMattei is an experienced leader and respected brand builder whose career has spanned over 25 years in the apparel, accessories, and home categories. He will be responsible for driving significant growth at Lucky Brand Jeans -- capitalizing on the unique brand essence conceived by Co-Founders, Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman. Mr. DeMattei will report directly to William L. McComb, Chief Executive Officer of Liz Claiborne Inc.

The company also announced that Patrick Wade has been named Executive Vice President, Creative Director. He, too, will begin on January 4, 2010. In this role, Mr. Wade will be responsible for creative services, marketing and visual merchandising. He will also consult on product strategies.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. McComb said, "Dave is key to realizing the promise of Lucky Brand Jeans. He has a proven track record of retail innovation and implementing visionary strategies that have helped re-energize and expand the brands he has worked for in the past. He appreciates the Lucky Brand heritage and roots, and yet has big ideas for taking the brand to new heights in the future. In adding Patrick to the team, Dave brings a brilliant creative partner to the table to evolve both the store visual environment and product platform. We are thrilled they will both be part of our company."

Mr. Montesano and Mr. Perlman, founders of Lucky Brand Jeans, said, "We have known of Dave DeMattei for many years and have known people at Lucky Brand who have worked closely with him over the years. We've heard tremendous things about both Dave and Patrick's talents, and we're confident in the role they will play for the future of the company. We've wanted someone of Dave's caliber to move us to the next level. We look forward to working with him and feel very comfortable asking him to help take us to a place where he has been before. His track record speaks for itself."

Noted Mr. DeMattei, "I am excited to be part of this great American brand and look forward to supporting and building the team that will help Lucky Brand unleash its full potential."

Executive Background: Dave DeMattei

Mr. DeMattei was most recently the Group President, Williams-Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, and West Elm at Williams Sonoma, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States. Employed there since 2003, in addition to his responsibilities for the Williams Sonoma brand, he introduced Williams Sonoma Home and created the West Elm retail concept. Prior to that, Mr. DeMattei was the President, North America, of Coach, Inc., a designer, producer, and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men. He has also served as President of J.Crew and Banana Republic, and in the early 1990s was the Chief Financial Officer at The Gap, Inc.

Executive Background: Patrick Wade

Most recently, Mr. Wade was Senior Vice President, Creative Services and Visual Merchandising for West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Hold Everything and Pottery Barn. In this role, he concepted, designed and executed all creative, store design, visual, and catalog/web design for Williams Sonoma Home, West Elm and Hold Everything. He also re-launched the visual merchandising and in-store marketing strategy for Pottery Barn. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Vice President World Wide Store Design and Visual Merchandising for Coach, Inc. Mr. Wade has also held similar roles at J.Crew, The Nature Company and The Gap, Inc., where he started his career.

Tom Fitzgerald, who has served as CEO of Lucky Brand Jeans since June 2009, is leaving the company. He has played an important role in enabling retail capabilities and laying the groundwork for growth at Lucky Brand and a turnaround at Mexx in Europe where he was Interim-CEO. Mr. McComb said, "Tom has played several critical roles as our turnaround has evolved and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."

About Liz Claiborne Inc.

Liz Claiborne Inc. designs and markets a global portfolio of retail-based premium brands including Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Mexx. The Company also has a refined group of department store-based brands with strong consumer franchises including the Monet family of brands, Kensie, Kensiegirl, Mac & Jac, and the licensed DKNY® Jeans Group. The Dana Buchman and Axcess brands are sold exclusively at Kohl's, and beginning in Fall 2010, the Liz Claiborne and Claiborne brands will be sold exclusively at JCPenney and the Liz Claiborne New York brand designed by Isaac Mizrahi will be available at QVC and at company-owned Liz Claiborne New York outlet stores.

SOURCE Liz Claiborne Inc.