SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Apparel maker Liz Claiborne (LIZ.N) on Tuesday 1 December appointed David DeMattei as chief executive of Lucky Brand Jeans, starting Jan 4.

Photo: www.luckybrand.com

The company gave no reason for the departure of Tom Fitzgerald, who has served as CEO since June.

DeMattei, who will report to Liz Claiborne CEO William McComb, most recently served as a group president of brands at home furnishings retailer Williams Sonoma Inc. He previously served in top executive roles at Coach Inc (COH.N), J Crew Group Inc (JCG.N) and Gap Inc (GPS.N).

Lucky Brand is one of the handful of apparel brands that Liz Claiborne retained in a major overhaul of its business in which it shed underperforming wholesale units to focus on faster-growing brands with retail potential. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage; editing by Gunna Dickson) (([email protected], +1-415-677-3923; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]))

((See blogs.reuters.com/shop-talk/ for Shop Talk -- Reuters' retail and consumer blog.))