He noted that Ken Ragland continues as chief operating officer of Fashionology. Salter said Mendelson will hire a new designer for Ellen Tracy shortly. As reported, George Sharp resigned as vice president of design in January to join St. John as executive vice president of design.

Fashionology bought Ellen Tracy, whose wholesale volume is estimated to be around $100 million, from Liz Claiborne Inc., for $42.3 million in April. Claiborne acquired Ellen Tracy in September 2002 from the company's founders for about $180 million, when the brand was generating about $171 million in sales.

Fashionology Group LLC, which manages Ellen Tracy and CJ Apparel Group LLC, was established by Windsong Brands LLC and Hilco Consumer Capital, along with Radius Partners LLC and the private investment office of Barry Sternlicht last month. Between Ellen Tracy Inc. and CJ Apparel's best-known moderate brand Caribbean Joe, Fashionology's revenues exceed $200 million at wholesale.