Tom Fitzgerald appointed CEO 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.

William L. McComb, Chief Executive Officer, Liz Claiborne Inc. 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."