Designer Van Lupu recalls working with Nancybelle

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Nancybelle Valentine credits designer Van (Vangheli) Lupu with being the first designer she worked with who really "let me show what I can do." She met Lupu while working for White Stag from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. White Stag is a sportswear line now owned by Walmart. An award-winning fashion designer, Lupu founded his consulting firm, Van Lupu, Ltd. in 1975. As of this writing, he is an associate professor of fashion design at the Pratt Institute in New York City.

In this audio clip, Lupu discusses how they came to work together, the nature of their working relationship, and what aspiring fashion industry professionals can learn from Valentine's example.

Liz Claiborne tries to make it by the seat of its pants

It's interesting to note that one of the executives who is central to this effort, Pamela Thomas-Graham, became the first black female group president at Liz Claiborne in 2005.

Jeans therapy
Flagging Liz Claiborne hopes redesigning its pants will boost its bottom line
Robin Givhan, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, June 02, 2007

In the clothing business, there is no more elusive a dream than creating the perfect pair of pants.

"There's a challenge with every garment, but with pants and jeans you have to go up and down and around," says Richard Ostell, creative director of Liz Claiborne. "Men are generally straight up and down. There are more variations in women's bodies."

Businesses have risen and careers have been launched on a good pair of trousers...."

A Liz Claiborne sketch from her early collections

From Nancybelle Valentine's personal collection. Photgraphed by Robert Burnett. Used with permission.

Clip: How Liz Claiborne treated employees

Clip:"Everything was functional"