Polo's New Pony

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. (New York) has named former Liz Claiborne and Ann Taylor executive Kim Roy as division president of Lauren Brands.

The company announced the formation of the new position as it took back the Lauren brands division from Jones Apparel Group Inc. (New York), with whom it is currently in litigation.

Roy, a former executive with Liz Claiborne Inc. (New York), was president of AnnTaylor Stores Corp.'s New York-based flagship division for two years until resigning in late January 2003, citing personal reasons.

Polo Ralph Lauren also created the position of senior vp, merchandising and manufacturing, for its Lauren Brands division and re-hired Benny Lin, who had been corporate senior vp, creative director, of Jones Apparel. Before joining Jones Apparel in August 1996, Lin was the creative director for the Lauren by Ralph Lauren brand.

Earlier this month, Polo Ralph Lauren filed suit against Jones Apparel, its most successful licensee; in turn, Jones Apparel is suing Polo for breach of the licensing contract under which it made Lauren-branded clothing.