Liz Claiborne poised for Mizrahi-led revival

I've been expressing my long-term bullishness on Liz Claiborne, Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) since the company announced that Isaac Mizrahi would be taking over as creative director for its flagship brand. The stock is down a little since that announcement back in January, but with the re-launch under Mizrahi's direction scheduled to hit stores in February, investors could start bearing the fruits of that deal soon.

A piece (subscription required) in yesterday's Wall Street Journal looked at Mizrahi and his plans for the Liz Claiborne brand, which has seen its sales decline by about 50% so far this decade: "The collection includes modern styles like cork-covered high heels and oversize tote bags in soft neutrals, metallics and bright colors, according to two people who were there. The designs also incorporate an updated Liz Claiborne logo."

Goldman Sachs analyst Benjamin Rowbotham called the relaunch "the single most important issue" for the company, and Liz Claiborne has reportedly given Mizrahi a rare level of creative freedom in reviving its brand.

Liz Claiborne has struggled of late, even more so than the industry at large, but remember: Mizrahi made Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) a cool place to shop for clothes. With the stock trading in the bargain basement, Mizrahi's new collection offers savvy investors tremendous upside potential.