CLAIBORNE MOVES IN ON TWO KEY EXECS
Byline: David Moin
NEW YORK — Liz Claiborne is close to announcing two top-level appointments.
According to sources, the appointments will fill a major void left by Kim Roy, who in May was named president of Ann Taylor Stores. Roy had broad duties, including responsibility for the Liz Claiborne apparel and accessories complex, Elisabeth, and the special markets division.
The speculation focuses on two seasoned executives joining Claiborne: Helen McCluskey, president of Playtex Apparel, a unit of Sara Lee Intimate, and Trudy Sullivan, former president of the J. Crew Group.
McCluskey is seen heading up Claiborne’s special markets division, as president. She is considered a strong strategist, with excellent financial skills and experience in the mass market and discount arena. Special markets merchants would report to McCluskey and brands under that division include Emma James, First Issue, Meg Allen, Crazy Horse, Russ and Villager, which are distributed to discounters and mass chains. Before becoming president of Playtex Apparel, McCluskey was vice president and general manager of the Bali mass brands unit at Sara Lee.
Sullivan could also become a Claiborne division president, likely to handle certain apparel areas other than special markets. Prior to J. Crew, she had a brief stint as head of Kids ‘R’ Us, but before that, headed the Clifford & Wills catalog for J. Crew and earlier, J. Crew mail order.
Claiborne had no comment Wednesday on the speculation. The company is scheduled to release its fiscal 2001 second-quarter results today, before the market opens. Claiborne’s brands also include Claiborne, Curve, Dana Buchman, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Liz Claiborne, Lucky Brand, Monet, and Sigrid Olsen. In addition, Claiborne holds the exclusive, long-term license to produce and sell DKNY Jeans and DKNY, and markets fragrances.