Liz Claiborne executive accepts UD fashion industry award

When the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies presented its first-ever Fashion and Apparel Studies Industry Award to Liz Claiborne Inc. in May, Paula Jolly Zusi, CHEP ’82, corporate vice president for sourcing and manufacturing, accepted the award for the company.

The presentation coincided with the inaugural meeting of the department’s Fashion and Apparel Studies Advisory Board.

“Liz Claiborne was chosen because of the company’s success on a global scale and because of its commitment to socially responsible practices, as an early member of the Apparel Industry Partnership, which, in turn, reflects the department’s values,” Marsha Dickson, department chairperson, says. “Fashion and Apparel Studies has had a good relationship with Liz Claiborne, which has given support to the department faculty and hired many of our graduates.”

Zusi says her four years at UD prepared her well for her career.

“I would recommend that anyone interested in fashion and apparel come to the University of Delaware. Jo Kallal was one of my professors and took a personal interest in all her students,” she says. “The department is getting better and better.”

Zusi began her career as a designer, then moved to Hong Kong in 1985, traveling throughout Asia. Her next move was to Portugal, followed by a return to New York to work for Bernard Chaus, where she rose to become vice president of piece goods. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she was vice president of manufacturing for Carole Little, before taking her present position with
Liz Claiborne.

The Fashion and Apparel Studies Advisory Board was created as a “mutually beneficial partnership between the department and its industry and organizational stakeholders,” according to its charter. Among the board

members are UD alumni Jessica Barkley, CHEP ’93; Nate Herman, AS ’92; Nicole Reilly, CHEP ’01; and Zusi.