- Home
- Fashion News Articles
- Womens Fashion
- Liz Claiborne Inc. Takes Steps to Accelerate Turnaround at Mexx
- Home
- Fashion News Articles
- Fashion Designers and Fashion Brands
- Liz Claiborne Inc. Takes Steps to Accelerate Turnaround at Mexx
Liz Claiborne Inc. Takes Steps to Accelerate Turnaround at Mexx
- By Maxamillion Blick
- Published 09/30/2008
- Womens Fashion
- Unrated
Maxamillion Blick
Fashion Industry Ghost Writer ... Freelance writer for the Apparel Search Company. A contributor as well as inspiration to Apparel Search. My goal is to make the Fashion Newspaper a leading resource for locating fashion news on the internet.
If you have a fashion press release, please submit your news at the Apparel Search site or you can post news directly at the Fashion Newspaper site by becoming an author.
Effective immediately, Tom Fitzgerald will become Interim Chief Executive Officer. Concurrently, the company has initiated a search for a permanent CEO for Mexx which is expected to be completed by early 2009. During this interim period, Mr. Fitzgerald will continue in his capacity as Senior Vice President, Direct Brands Services at Liz Claiborne Inc. Mr. Fitzgerald replaces Jeff Fardell who is taking on a new role as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Market Development for Liz Claiborne Inc. In this position, Mr. Fardell will focus on new opportunities for the company with an emphasis on market development and growth prospects in emerging markets.
Additionally, John Moore, a creative force from Abercrombie & Fitch's Hollister Co. line and Modern Amusement for Mossimo Inc., will serve as Consulting Vice President, Creative, effective immediately. Mr. Moore will set the vision for and oversee all design, product development and merchandising activities for the brand. Product influenced by Mr. Moore in conjunction with the Mexx creative team will be available in Fall 2009.
William L. McComb, Chief Executive Officer of Liz Claiborne Inc., commented on the announcement, "While we have made significant progress executing our turnaround plan at Liz Claiborne Inc., the Mexx turnaround process is at a critical juncture and we believe product enhancements, structural changes and new leadership are necessary to reinvigorate the brand and improve performance. Mexx has many talented employees, a motivated workforce and strength in great markets. With that solid foundation, we believe Tom's track record of leading brand building efforts and brand realignments, retail operations expertise, and international experience -- including work in Mexx's key markets -- make him the right person to address the structural, creative and resource challenges Mexx faces today."
Mr. McComb continued, "The search for a permanent CEO is underway. Preferably a European, the candidate we are looking for is skilled in international brand building, with a sharp focus on enhancing margins and supply chain management, optimizing costs, building retail store productivity and nurturing wholesale relationships. I would like to thank Jeff Fardell for his service, passion and dedication to Mexx and I look forward to his continued service in his new role and his support during this transitional period."
Commenting on Mr. Moore's appointment, Mr.
These changes do not affect Mexx Canada, a separate operating division of Liz Claiborne Inc.
Executive Background
Mr. Fitzgerald has an extensive background working with world-class brands. He has a deep understanding of the retail business and strong experience in operational and financial management. He joined Liz Claiborne Inc. one year ago from Burlington Coat Factory (a Bain Capital company) where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that he held several key operating positions at Limited, Inc., most recently serving as COO/Co-Leader of Bath & Body Works a $2 billion retailer. Mr. Fitzgerald also spent 16 years at PepsiCo in various leadership positions across several PepsiCo brands -- both domestically and internationally.
John Moore joins Mexx from Mossimo, Inc. where he was Vice President and Creative Director of the Modern Amusement brand. At Mossimo he was responsible for all men's and women's product, as well as overseeing all advertising, packaging and creative direction for the brand. Prior to joining Mossimo, Mr. Moore was Senior Director Global Concept -- Men's, Women's, Boys and Girls at Abercrombie & Fitch, where he is credited with the conceptualization, creation and launch of its Hollister line.
About Mexx
Mexx markets an extensive range of fashion apparel and lifestyle accessories for women, men and children. Our contemporary and affordable products can be found in more than 66 countries throughout Europe, Canada, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, check out: www.mexx.com.
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 Liz Claiborne and Monet families of brands, Enyce, Kensie, Kensiegirl, Mac & Jac, Narciso Rodriguez and the licensed DKNY Jeans Group. For more information visit www.lizclaiborneinc.com.
