Christian Siriano and Payless Announce Expanded Collaboration to Bring More of Siriano's Fabulous Fashion to More Stores Starting Next Fall

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the popularity of the Christian Siriano for Payless designer label and its often sell-out styles, Payless and its Guest Designer partner, Christian Siriano, announced today they have signed a multi-year deal to expand the exclusive-to-Payless label to a wider seasonal collection of as many as 20 shoe and handbag styles each season available at more moderate pricing in about 2,400 stores and Payless.com.  

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The newly expanded line is expected in stores next fall and will be refreshed twice a year.  Payless will continue the original Christian Siriano for Payless label -- in its signature black box -- with styles inspired by Siriano's New York Fashion Week runway shows and his ready-to-wear apparel line. This one-year-old label, featuring original designs that are  unveiled on the runway,  results in a tight collection including four-to-six primarily dress shoe styles and two coordinating handbags priced between $25- $60 and available in select Payless stores and Payless.com.

"I am so happy to expand my relationship with Payless. They've been fabulous to work with, and I am always so proud of the designs and to see women enjoy wearing them each season!" said Siriano.  "This expanded Payless collection, for me, is an opportunity to branch out even more and reach more women with my designs.  I'll draw inspiration from lots more everyday elements -- street fashion, architecture, traveling and landscapes  -- to create amazing looks including a range of boots, casuals, flats, sandals and handbags in addition to dress styles."

Siriano recently traveled internationally with the Payless design and buying teams to collaborate on the new line for fall 2011.  In addition to international travels, Siriano expects to draw from a wide range of influences including the world's runways, U.S. fashion and key American cities to create signature city-inspired shoes and handbags in future seasonal lines.

"We are thrilled with the great success of our collaboration with Christian.  With his immense creative talent each season and the popularity of his label, it just made sense to provide him with a broader platform," said LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless.  "With this expanded arrangement we are making the Christian Siriano for Payless label a stronger brand in our portfolio, and I can't wait to see what his expanded line will bring next fall and to excite our shoppers with his fabulous fashion."

About Payless Designer Collections

Payless designer collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today and a key strategy for Payless in its mission to democratize fashion, design and the latest ideas in footwear and accessories for all to enjoy.  Payless Guest Designers include Lela Rose, who has two labels: Lela Rose for Payless and a special occasion line, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose; Christian Siriano with Christian Siriano for Payless;  newcomer Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless, as well as Patricia Field, who has had a long-standing and close relationship with Payless for years as the stylist of the retailer's TV and print ads and designer behind Patricia Field for Payless capsule collections.  

The Payless Designer Collections are seasonal lines of original designs created by New York fashion designers and hot-off-the-runway.  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 offered at value prices.  Each collection is unique and reflective of the designer's signature style.  

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 2010, the company operated nearly 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) at 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 nearly 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R), Zoe & Zac(TM), the first-ever affordable green footwear brand, and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose, Christian Siriano for Payless, Patricia Field for Payless, Isabel Toledo for Payless and STPL x Airwalk, among others; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance 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), Above The Rim, Vision Street Wear(R), STRIKEFORCE(TM), Clinch Gear(TM), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R), World Snowboarding Championships(TM) and Hind(R). Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource