We'll miss you, Liz

This week the fashion world mourned the loss of Liz Claiborne, the first designer to come down from the ivory tower of high fashion and create real designs for real women. At age 78, Liz lost her battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that few can even approach. She established her studio in 1976, when women had two choices in what to put on their backs: “couture” or “K-mart.” Liz was the first designer to propose a happy medium in clothing that was stylish, but also affordable and wearable on a daily basis. Her transition from runway to neighborhood department store paved the way for designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Vera Wang, and hosts of others.

And if that's not enough, her company was the first founded by a woman to make the ranks of the Fortune 500.

The Liz Claiborne company's current portfolio includes over 40 brands—from hipster lines like Juicy Couture to luxury names like Narciso Rodriguez and Lucky Brand Jeans.

Thanks for everything, Liz.