Nina McLemore

Profile

Nina McLemore grew up in Mississippi making all her own clothes and then rose through the fashion ranks to found Liz Claiborne Accessories in 1980. She formed her eponymous company in 2003 after noticing that she and many of her friends were having trouble finding clothes that suited women like them—middle-aged professionals looking for understated and conservative cuts with a bit of flair. In keeping with her original intentions, this Upper East Side shop is filled with well-cut, elegant yet comfortable items geared to working women. Made to transition through the seasons (most pieces are available in everything from silk, wool, and equestrian cotton, a more casual two-way stretch fabric with a crisp look) the clothes are imbued with a casual luxury. Variety is clearly a focus—the staple “Suzanne” jacket, for example, is available with a short stand-up collar, a classic fold-over, or a ruffle collar design. While the line is fairly jacket-driven (signature jackets come in everything from bright pastels to floral fabrics), there are also simple cap-sleeved tops, tanks, and collared shirts along with simple straight slacks—all the basics, in other words, for a sophisticated professional look. — Nina Frazier