ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Additional Financial Information Disclosure and Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION The entire disclosures of supplemental information, including descriptions and amounts, related to the balance sheet, income statement, and/or cash flow statement; and the entire disclosure for related party transactions, including the nature of the relationship(s), a description of the transactions, the amount of the transactions, the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms of the transaction from the previous period, stated interest rate, expiration date, terms and manner of settlement per the agreement with the related party, amounts due to or from related parties, and certain licensing-related transactions. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] The entire disclosure for condensed financial statements. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Debt Current Excluding Convertible Notes Payable Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations but excluding convertible notes payable which are due within one year. Document and Entity Information This element represents the equity impact on shares related to the exchange of convertible debt. Exchange of Convertible Senior Notes, net (in shares) Exchange of Convertible Senior Notes Net, Shares Exchange of Convertible Senior Notes Net, Value This element represents the equity impact of value related to the exchange of convertible debt. Exchange of Convertible Senior Notes, net Gain (Loss) on Asset Disposals and Impairments Including Streamlining Initiatives Loss on asset disposals and impairments, including streamlining initiatives, net Represents the amount of the net gain or loss on asset disposals and impairments, including amounts charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with streamlining initiatives pursuant to a duly authorized plan. Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Noncash Portion Gain on extinguishment of debt, net Amount represents the noncash portion of the difference between the fair value of the payments made and the carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment. Amendment Description Goodwill and Intangibles, Net. Goodwill and Intangibles, Net Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. In addition, sum of carrying amounts of all intangible assets, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] ACCRUED EXPENSES Amendment Flag LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease) Translation adjustment, including Euro Notes in 2011 and other instruments, net of income taxes of $905, $8,034 and $10,986, respectively Change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity during the reporting period, net of tax. If the entity's functional currency is a foreign currency, translation adjustments result from the process of translating that entity's financial statements into the reporting currency. Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) and that has been designated and has qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Net of tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment for translation gain (loss) realized upon the sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity. Also includes reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges that are designated and qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax. Write-off of translation adjustment in connection with liquidation of foreign subsidiaries Net of tax amount of the appreciation (loss) in the value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available For Sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes of $0, $0 and $0, respectively Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax. Change in fair value of cash flow hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(491), $1,342 and $(515), respectively Net of tax and reclassification adjustments amount of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss). Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Senior Long Term Debt The cash inflow from a borrowing under convertible senior notes, with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Senior Notes Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Secured Debt Proceeds from issuance of Senior Secured Notes The cash inflow from a borrowing with the highest claim on certain assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Total Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. stockholders' deficit, excluding treasury stock Total amount of parent company stockholders' equity (deficit) items including stock value, paid in capital, retained earnings, and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), excluding equity attributable to noncontrolling interests and before deducting the carrying value of treasury stock. Stockholders' Equity, Excluding Treasury Stock Current Fiscal Year End Date Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable - trade, net Document Period End Date Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Payments for purchases of businesses Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Assets Held-for-sale, Current Assets held for sale CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Earnings Per Share, Basic Net Loss Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (in dollars per share) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Decrease in accounts receivable - trade, net Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Decrease (increase) in inventories, net Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (decrease) in accounts payable Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, issued shares Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized shares - 250,000,000, issued shares - 176,437,234 Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Convertible Notes Payable, Current Convertible Senior Notes Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Short-term borrowings Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-Term Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net Loss Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (in dollars per share) Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents Share-based Compensation. Share-based compensation Payments of Financing Costs Payment of deferred financing fees Gain on sales of trademarks, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Intangible Assets Gain on sales of trademarks, net Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Gain on extinguishment of debt, net Gross Profit Gross Profit Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill impairment Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Impairment of other intangible assets CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Discontinued operations, net of income taxes Adjustments to arrive at income (loss) from continuing operations Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Decrease (increase) in other current and non-current assets Inventory, Net Inventories, net Liabilities and Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit Liabilities held for sale Liabilities of Assets Held-for-sale Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net Loss Attributable to Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents Operating Income (Loss) Operating Loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Gain (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(491), $1,342 and $(515) for the year ended 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively Translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Write-off of translation adjustment in connection with liquidation of foreign subsidiaries Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other Assets, Current Other current assets Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense), net PROFIT-SHARING RETIREMENT, SAVINGS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, issued shares Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit agreement Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Net proceeds from dispositions Proceeds from sales of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of stock options Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and Equipment, Net PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Investments in and advances to equity investees Payments to Acquire Other Productive Assets Payments for in-store merchandise shops Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit agreement Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments under capital lease obligations Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of Euro Notes Repayments of Other Short-term Debt Short-term borrowings, net Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] STREAMLINING INITIATIVES Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Net Sales Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORIES, NET SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] SEGMENT REPORTING Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general & administrative expenses Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Dividend equivalent units vested (in shares) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS, COMPREHENSIVE LOSS AND CHANGES IN CAPITAL ACCOUNTS STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES, NET Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Treasury Shares Treasury Stock [Member] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted Average Shares, Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted Average Shares, Basic (in shares) Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents Held for Sale Assets Total Assets Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Non-Current Liabilities Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Assets [Abstract] Assets Statement Statement [Line Items] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS UNAUDITED QUARTERLY RESULTS Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities of discontinued operations Treasury Stock, Value Common stock in treasury, at cost - 75,592,899 and 81,892,589 shares Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Other Assets, Noncurrent Other Assets Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Earnings per Share, Basic: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per Share, Diluted: Earnings per Share: EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Treasury Stock, Shares Common stock in treasury, shares Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Translation adjustment, including Euro Notes in 2011 and other instruments, income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect Change in fair value of cash flow hedging derivatives, income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, income taxes Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. stockholders' deficit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Benefit) provision for income taxes Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Foreign currency losses (gains), net Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized shares - 50,000,000, issued shares - none Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Tendered subsidiary shares for noncontrolling interest Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest Restricted shares issued, net of cancellations and shares withheld for taxes Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Restricted shares issued, net of cancellations and shares withheld for taxes (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Exercise of stock options (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income [Member] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Loss Net loss Net Loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Income (loss) from continuing operations Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Income Taxes: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Deficit: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders' deficit BALANCE BALANCE Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8) Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Stock Granted During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Dividend equivalent units vested Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) Before (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net Interest expense, net ACCRUED EXPENSES BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BALANCE (in shares) BALANCE (in shares) Shares, Outstanding COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INCOME TAXES GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES, NET FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS INVENTORIES, NET DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT PROFIT-SHARING RETIREMENT, SAVINGS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS UNAUDITED QUARTERLY RESULTS DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION STREAMLINING INITIATIVES Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition Amortization - share-based compensation Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets Impairment of other intangible assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS SEGMENT REPORTING RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS SUBSEQUENT EVENTS SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other, net Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic and Diluted Share (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Liz Claiborne, Inc. (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Net Loss Attributable to Liz Claiborne, Inc. (in dollars per share) Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes, net Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt