Among the Most Widely Distributed Designer Footwear Labels in America,
Abaete for Payless(TM), Lela Rose for Payless(TM), and alice + olivia for
Payless(TM) Spring Collections Hit the Runway; Fall Designer Lines
Available Next Week in Stores
NEW YORK, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As consumers prep for
cooler weather by stocking up on the hottest fall fashions, Bryant Park is
already a season ahead as fashion industry insiders are gaining a glimpse
of next year's spring style at New York Fashion Week. As models showcase
the coming trends, attendees will also preview the spring '09 Designer
Collections from Payless' guest designers Laura Poretzky, Lela Rose and
Stacey Bendet. The retailer's Spring 09 designer footwear and handbag
collections will hit stores beginning February 2009 and, as always, for on
average under $45 an item.
In addition, shoppers eager to sport the fall season's designer
collections can snap up the fall '08 Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for
Payless and alice + olivia for Payless collections -- available on Sept. 9
at select Payless stores and Payless.com.
Payless is on a mission to democratize fashion and design in footwear
and accessories. The Payless Designer Collections -- seasonal lines of
original footwear and handbags created by fashion designers and hot off the
runway -- are a key piece of that strategy.
"We are always excited to watch our designers debut their latest
Payless collections at the nation's premier fashion event -- New York
Fashion Week," said LuAnn Via, president and chief executive officer for
Payless. "As models walk the runway in the spring ready-to-wear lines they
are outfitted from head to toe in the designers' original designs --
including our shoes and handbags. This is a unique program: we don't limit
the designers' creativity and are committed to delivering
hot-off-the-runway looks for less to consumers, season after season. The
designers benefit as well, gaining a new platform for their creativity and
broad access to their designs."
The distinctive creative voice that characterizes each designer's
collection further aligns with Payless' democratic approach to fashion.
Whether a consumer identifies with Laura Poretzky's "American
International" image, Lela Rose's "Classic With a Twist" aesthetic, or
Stacey Bendet's "Modern Hippie Chic" vibe, shoppers are sure to find a
match for their unique personal style among the Payless Designer
Collections.
Unveiled at the Abaete runway show and mirroring her inspirations for
the Spring 09 ready-to-wear (RTW) line, Laura Poretzky's 11th shoe and
accessory collection for Payless represents the two sides of a girl -- one
side, reason; the other side, heart. The "good girl" versus "bad girl"
dichotomy of Poretzky's RTW line is reflected in her shoe line with an
interplay of contrasting materials and details. Five styles ranging from an
oxford lace-up heel to a wedge flat sandal will hit the runway in shades of
blue, tan, black and white, featuring black lacquer and stacked wood
materials accented with pewter screw hardware details.
The Spring 09 Lela Rose collection is inspired by ancient African
textiles featuring tribal patterns, bold colors and a strong ethnic
sensibility with a modern twist. Rose's seventh collection for Payless
complements her RTW line with a range of silhouettes from peep-toe wedge
sandals to flats, featured in materials such as gingham and satin accented
with lucite, natural wood and frayed-ribbon detailing. Colors include
chocolate, navy, tan, ivory, red and bird's eye blue.
Next Tuesday, Stacey Bendet will reveal her fourth shoe collection for
Payless at her presentation at the alice + olivia store across from Bryant
Park. alice + olivia's upcoming spring collection is all about "free love"
-- love for one's closet! Payless embodies this theme, offering shoes at
price points so affordable they free shoppers to pursue their fashion
fantasies. Bendet delivers three distinct but complementary themes this
season; long skirts and soft lace dresses are paired with shrunken jackets
and beaded tops, while spring bursts forth with colors and materials
ranging from soft florals and fringe denim to pastels and pops of
bold-colored prints. Bendet's shoe designs coordinate with the apparel and
will feature a variety of silhouettes -- including new styles for girls --
that embody the free love spirit in footwear, as well as her signature pop
of color typically found in the upper, inside lining, or shoe bottoms.
About Payless Guest Designers
Laura Poretzky, Lela Rose and Stacey Bendet are Payless Guest Designers
-- select fashion designers that create designer footwear and accessory
collections featuring the latest runway looks, which Payless brings to its
stores at value prices. Each collection is unique and reflective of the
designer's signature style: Poretzky's "American international," drawing
from her rich international experiences living in Brazil, France and New
York, Rose's strong focus on "classic with a twist," and Bendet's "retro
sophisticate." The Payless Guest Designer program is a key strategy in
Payless' overall mission to democratize fashion in footwear and
accessories. For more information about Payless at New York Fashion Week
and the Guest Designers behind the Payless Designer Collections, please see
paylessontherunway.com.
About Laura Poretzky
Laura Poretzky is a New York-based designer who designs under the
Abaete label. She was born in France to a Russian father and a
Danish-Brazilian mother, and raised between Paris, Rio de Janeiro and New
York. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Laura
went on to work at some of the most prestigious fashion houses in New York.
After the launch of her successful swimwear line, Laura extended her
designs into a complete line of ready-to-wear apparel and now footwear --
drawing as much on her experience as a New Yorker as on her Latina and
Eurasian roots.
About Lela Rose
Lela Rose is a Texas native and 1993 graduate of the Parson's School of
Design. She worked at Christian Francis Roth as Design Assistant and soon
after with Richard Tyler as Design Assistant and Fabric Buyer. In 1998,
Rose's vision and passion compelled her to create her signature
ready-to-wear collection, Lela Rose, with studio headquarters in New York
City. Through intricately designed and finely detailed separates, dresses
and jackets, Rose has established herself as a renowned designer. In 2007,
Rose launched a wedding collection focused on pairing unconventional
fabrics and techniques -- a trademark of the designer. Rose rounds out her
offering with the designer footwear and accessory collection, Lela Rose for
Payless(TM); the designer recently signed a new multi-year agreement to
continue to design the popular line available exclusively at Payless
ShoeSource. To further expand the partnership and draw from Rose's 2007
launch of her wedding collection, Payless and Rose have also agreed to Rose
designing Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose(TM), a special occasion
collection exclusively for Payless initially due out in early 2009.
About Stacey Bendet
Founded in 2002 by Stacey Bendet, alice + olivia launched its "just
pants" collection to rave reviews. Soon thereafter, Andrew Rosen, founder
of Theory, became Stacey's partner in the company. Using innovative fabrics
and unique designs, alice + olivia successfully expanded into tops,
dresses, eveningwear, sweaters, bathing suits, denim and men's, creating a
unique lifestyle brand for today's retro sophisticate. The collection is
available at its signature boutiques and in over 500 stores around the
world such as Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Scoop, and Neiman
Marcus.
About Payless
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the
largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is
dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories
and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value.
As of the end of second quarter 2008, the company operated more than 4,500
stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through
Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com.
Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling
lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related
accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic
units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points
and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing.
Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on
democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its
more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands American Eagle(TM),
Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and designer collections Abaete for
Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice + olivia for Payless, among
others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and
high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with
its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R),
Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing
International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit,
with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R),
Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R), World Snowboarding Championships(TM),
Sugarboards(R), Carve(R), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-Wheels(R),
and Skate Attack(R) brands. Information about, and links for shopping on,
each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at
http://www.collectivebrands.com.
SOURCE Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.payless.com
http://www.collectivebrands.com
CONTACT:
Mardi Larson of Payless ShoeSource, Inc.,
+1-612-928-0202, mardilarson@payless.com
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