Liz Claiborne Inc. Names Thomas Grote CEO of Mexx Business, Appoints Tom Fitzgerald as CEO of Lucky Brand Jeans

NEW YORK - Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE:LIZ) today announced two key executive appointments.

Thomas Johannes Grote Named CEO of Mexx

Thomas Johannes Grote, former President of ESPRIT, has been named Chief Executive Officer of Mexx Worldwide. Mr. Grote will join the company in October 1, 2009 and report to William L. McComb, Chief Executive Officer, Liz Claiborne Inc. Until that time, the current Mexx Management Team will continue to run the business, with involvement of Mr. McComb as needed.

Commenting on this announcement, Mr. McComb said, “Thomas is uniquely qualified to take on the challenges at Mexx. He played a pivotal role in the nearly 15 year growth of the ESPRIT brand around the globe, building a powerhouse throughout Europe - the most important market for Mexx. Additionally, he has excellent merchandising skills, is a true marketing and product focused CEO, and has important experience in vertical retail and wholesale, including strong ties to the wholesale community throughout Europe. And perhaps most importantly, he understands and highly appreciates what the Mexx brand ultimately stands for and what made it great from the beginning. We are thrilled to have him joining the team.”

Tom Fitzgerald Appointed CEO of Lucky Brand Jeans

Tom Fitzgerald, Interim CEO at Mexx and Senior Vice President, Direct Brand Services, will be joining Lucky Brand Jeans as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1. Mr. Fitzgerald will partner with Liz Munoz, President of Lucky Brand Jeans and Co-Founders, Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman to drive growth initiatives for the brand.

Mr. McComb commented, “Tom’s operational experience, brand sensibility and management skills will augment Lucky Brand Jeans’ very creative culture just as that brand is poised to pursue important growth opportunities. His strengths in retailing, operations, marketing, and finance will complement those of Liz, Gene and Barry at a time when the company is focused on significantly growing its business.”

He continued, “I must also thank Tom for his dedication and great work as Interim CEO for Mexx. Tom led the charge to refocus the organization, making some important product, retail and positioning decisions to address the declining business. What followed was a period of change at the company-changes in structure, in leadership by function, in cost structure, and importantly, in product and marketing direction that we believe will help Mexx’s results in the second half of 2009. It was his leadership that readied the Mexx team to embrace new ideas so it can flourish under Thomas’ direction.”

Executive Background: Thomas Grote

Mr. Grote was most recently President of Esprit Brand of ECOR-SF Inc. responsible for all operational matters in relation to the Esprit brand, including wholesale, retail and licensing business. He also served as President of Esprit Brand of Esprit Holdings Ltd., Joint Chief Operating Officer of Esprit brand and Head of Groups Wholesale Operations of Esprit Holdings Ltd. in charge of the wholesale business, responsible for global … strategy and oversaw Esprit’s operations. Mr. Grote served as an Executive Director of ECOR-SF Inc. and as an Executive Director of Esprit Holdings Ltd. He joined Esprit Holdings Ltd., in 1990 as Key Account Manager of the accessories division and was later promoted to Sales Manager. He left the company briefly in 1992 to work for In-Wear in Germany as Sales Manager of the men’s division and was subsequently promoted to Managing Director. He returned to Esprit Holdings Ltd., in June 1996.

Executive Background: Tom Fitzgerald

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. 18 months ago from a Bain Capital portfolio 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.

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, Kensie, Kensiegirl, Mac & Jac, and the licensed DKNY Jeans Group. For more information visit www.lizclaiborneinc.com.

Source: Liz Claiborne Inc

Investor Relations Contact: Robert J. Vill, Vice President - Finance and Treasurer, Liz Claiborne Inc., +1-201-295-7515; Media Contact: Jane Randel, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Liz Claiborne Inc, +1-212-626-3408