I was just reading over at Manolo for the Big Girl about the closing of the Liz Claiborne website.  After reading this it made me wonder what is really going on in the global economy to cause a worldwide icon like this to close their online doors?  Read the words below to see for yourself.

[W]e regret to inform you that lizclaiborne.com will be closing on December 17, 2009 at 11:59 PM ET. Afterwards, consumers will no longer be able to make online purchases through our site. Consumers can still find our merchandise at Liz Claiborne New York outlet stores across the country (visit lizclaibornestores.com to find one near you). And starting this Fall 2010, Liz Claiborne New York will be coming to QVC.

I have had my opinions about Liz Claiborne and their treatment of plus sizes in their stores but we kisses and made up in part  due to the input from Issac Mizrahi in putting stylish plus size fashions into the store.  With the switch to a different website and moving to QVC next Fall we really won’t be saying goodbye, but for the average person who is not into outlet shopping and shopping via their television the change is going to be difficult.

In the mean time while you still have a chance you may as well shop till you drop by taking advantage of the holiday sales and Issac’s Pick’s. I am going to do a bit more research on this to find out more about what is going on. I have a feeling this decision has been in the works for months and is not something they company haphazardly decided. What do you think?

Update: When I went to the website this morning I was created with the page you see below. Seem the marketing department is either not in the loop or something else is going on. When I email a representative yesterday this is the response I received:

Dear Glen,

Thank you for your email!

We have not received any news of the closure of the Liz Clairborne website, as we have recently checked it and found that it is still up and currently running its Holiday seasonal sales.

Yes I am confused to especially now that I have the screenshot showing my original post is on point.  Does this mean Issac Mizrahi is going to QVC or is the entire Liz Claiborne line going to?

Updated Update: Merchant Programs on Hold December 28, 2009. I am going to assume putting it on hold is the politically correct way of saying it has been shut down. I could be wrong though.