Tim Gunn to direct Liz Claiborne

Tim Gunn, whose fashion know-how on the television reality show "Project Runway" has made him a household name among fledgling designers, will become the chief creative director of Liz Claiborne Inc., the company said Thursday.

Gunn, 53, will be responsible for attracting and developing creative talent at Liz Claiborne, whose brands include Ellen Tracy, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand Jeans, Laundry by Shelli Segal and Liz Claiborne itself.

Although it was his role as the avuncular and discerning mentor on "Project Runway" that has garnered him fame, Gunn has served since 2000 as the chair of the department of fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design in New York.