Payless ShoeSource Unveils Spring '10 Designer Collections on the Runway at New York Fashion Week

Unique Shoe and Handbag Designs Inspired by Venice Beach, French Rock Band the Plastiscines, and Mediterranean Luxury Hit the Runway at Designers' Shows: Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet and Christian Siriano

• Press Release
• Source: Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
• On 8:02 pm EDT, Tuesday September 15, 2009

NEW YORK, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless ShoeSource is continuing to make it possible for consumers to indulge in affordable runway style with the unveiling of its designer labels for spring here at New York Fashion Week. Fashion fans can look forward to amazing designer style as Payless, well-known for democratizing fashion in footwear and accessories, and its Guest Designers - Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet, and Christian Siriano -- unveil the Payless Spring '10 Designer Collections in true "high-low" fashion on the runway.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090915/CG76456)

Payless designer collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today. Payless Spring '10 designer footwear and handbag collections will be available in stores in February with average price points under $40 an item. In the meantime, shoppers can spice up their fall wardrobes with the Fall '09 designer labels from Payless, including Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, alice + olivia for Payless, and Christian Siriano for Payless all available now in select Payless stores nationwide and Payless.com.

"We are thrilled to see Payless shoes strut the runway again at New York Fashion Week with Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet, and Christian Siriano," said LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource. "The nation's premier fashion event is a phenomenal stage to showcase the talent and distinct design aesthetic of each of our Payless guest designers. For the Spring season there is a range of inspirations from old Venice beach to the Mediterranean, along with a dash of Parisian indie rock. The unique designs from each designer is truly amazing, and we are always excited to see it all come together when the Payless shoes are paired with the designer's ready-to-wear (RTW) and hit the runway."

Unveiled at the Lela Rose runway show, the Spring '10 Lela Rose RTW collection is inspired by old Venice Beach surf and scuba wear with its body-hugging shapes, details and seaming. The color palette of artist Alex Katz sets the tone. With a nod to Lela's RTW, the shoe collection -- Rose's 11th Lela Rose for Payless seasonal line -- includes six styles featuring her signature use of fabric and mixed materials coupled with Katz-splashes of color including citrine, bright navy, sea grass and magenta. The unique silhouettes consist of sculpted wedge heels, criss-cross straps, and peep-toe mary jane details.

Previewed at a special presentation event, Stacey Bendet's Spring '10 RTW collection for alice + olivia is inspired by the Plastiscines, a French all-girl rock band. The band's mix of indie rock and Parisian chic is evident in shoes, which evoke both a whimsical and sleek sensibility. This is Bendet's sixth line for Payless and includes such silhouettes as a platform pump, tall slouchy boot, gladiator-style flat sandal and platform heel. Details such the use of form-fitting "wet-suit" material, a "sandalized" upper design combined with a tall boot, and side-cut-out designs portray a strong interplay of structure and sexiness.

Fashion designer Christian Siriano, well-known also as the winner for Project Runway's Season Four, showcased his Spring '10 footwear and accessories collection with Payless on the runway. The line complements Siriano's Spring '10 RTW collection inspired by the notion of luxurious Mediterranean travel. Rich colors like fuchsia, blue and orange are amped up to evoke the glorious coastal sunset taken in while yachting. Khakis, nudes and blushes are present, as well as a unique printed fabric used heavily in the collection. The fabric print was created using an aerial photograph of the intricate Italian coast line that has been flipped, modified, repeated and saturated with volcanic and oceanic colors. The five shoe silhouettes and accompanying handbags -- Siriano's second line for Payless -- mirror this inspiration and are truly dramatic works of art conveying strength and textural tribal themes with the use of mottled prints and hides combined with raw metal sequins and details.

Celebrity Sightings in Payless Designer Shoes

Many celebrities came out to the shows supporting the designers and decked out in the designer's designs from head-to-toe -- as well as Payless designer shoes.

About Payless Designer Collections

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 New York fashion designers and hot-off-the-runway - are a key piece of that strategy.

Payless' designer collections are among the most broadly distributed designer footwear labels available in the United States today. Payless Guest Designers include Lela Rose and the Lela Rose for Payless and Unforgettable Moments(TM) by Lela Rose labels, Stacey Bendet with alice + olivia for Payless, Christian Siriano and Christian Siriano for Payless and style icon Patricia Field with Patricia Field for Payless capsule collections. This select group of fashion designers and stylists create designer footwear and accessory collections for Payless featuring the latest runway and red carpet styling details. Each collection is unique and reflective of the designer's signature style. For more information about Payless at New York Fashion Week and the company's Guest Designers, please see paylessontherunway.com.

About Payless & Collective Brands, Inc.

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 2009, the company operated more than 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com® at www.payless.com.

Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS - News) 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) by Payless, Airwalk®, Dexter®, Champion® and designer collections Christian Siriano for Payless, 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®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

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