New Member of Payless' New York Design Team Serves a Key Role in Payless'
Mission to Democratize Fashion and Design in Footwear, Accessories by
Creating Original Designs Featuring the Latest Trends
NEW YORK, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless ShoeSource announced today
that it has hired Bernard Figueroa, most recently head of Footwear Design
for Michael Kors, as Payless' Director of Design for Women's Footwear.
Figueroa joins the Payless New York Design Center team, which is
responsible for developing original product designs supporting the
retailer's seasonal collection of on-trend fashion products for the
women's, men's and kids' categories.
"We are delighted to have someone of Bernard's talent and experience
join the New York design team, a key group in our mission to democratize
fashion and design in footwear by delivering brands that offer great style
and design at a great price," said Matt Rubel, CEO of Payless ShoeSource.
"Bernard has a rich and successful history with more than two decades in
footwear design at leading companies. At Michael Kors, he managed all
footwear product development for the MK and Kors labels and before that he
launched his own luxe brand that sold internationally for a decade. We are
thrilled to have Bernard join us and to focus on product design and
development for our expanding women's brands."
Figueroa was with Michael Kors since 2000 serving as Design Director
and later Vice President of Design. Prior to joining Michael Kors, he
launched his own couture collection of footwear and accessories, called
Figueroa, which sold globally from 1993 to 2003 including at Bergdorf
Goodman, Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and high-end boutiques in the
U.S., Italy, France and Hong Kong. He has served in a wide range of
footwear design roles around the world at such companies as Rena Lange,
Vera Wang, Coach, Di Sandro, Charles Jourdan, Adrienne Vittadini, Rockport,
Esprit de Corp., Christian Dior, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler Runway.
Also joining the Payless New York Design Center team is Michael Rugai,
lead footwear designer for the Payless children's program. Rugai was most
recently with ES Originals where he served as Senior Footwear Designer for
nearly seven years. Prior to that, he served as Footwear Designer at BBC
Unlimited. Rugai holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art and
Design at Pratt Institute.
"Micheal Rugai is another great talent, and we look forward to his
contributions to our children's branded fashion, athletic, and character
products," said Rubel.
Both new designers are expected to begin in their roles this month, and
report to Robert Mingione, Vice President of Product Design for Payless
ShoeSource and head of the company's New York Design Center, due to
officially open this summer.
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., the largest specialty family footwear
retailer in the Western Hemisphere, is dedicated to democratizing fashion
and design in footwear and accessories to inspire fun fashion possibilities
for the family. As of the end of the fourth quarter 2006, the Company
operated a total of 4,572 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over
the Internet through Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com.
Media: Mardi Larson, 612.928.0202 or mardilarson@aol.com
SOURCE Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.payless.com/
CONTACT:
Mardi Larson, +1-612-928-0202 or
mardilarson@aol.com, for Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
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