NARCISO RODRIGUEZ and Liz Claiborne Inc, the company which owns his label, have declined to comment on mounting speculation that they are about to part ways owing to a stalemate on how to grow the niche label's business.
Reports suggest that Rodriguez and long-time business partner Kathy Kalesti are at loggerheads with LCI over plans to introduce new licenses, feeling that will over-commercialise the brand.
"It's a very difficult business if you don't have the right partner and financial people behind you or people who really care for you," Rodriguez told WWD in December. "LCI is very generous and recognizes the potential of everything we should and could be doing and haven't been able to."
LCI paid $12 million for a 50 per cent stake in Narciso Rodriguez in May 2007 and, under the terms of their contract, Rodriguez has the right to buy back his stake - but sources suggest he is struggling to find an investor, WWD reports.
