Jessica Simpson Broadens Lifestyle Fashion Offering to Include Sportswear

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jones Group Inc. ("Jones") (NYSE: JNY) and Camuto Group today announced that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to design, develop, produce and distribute Jessica Simpson Sportswear under the Jessica Simpson Collection.  This agreement is in addition to Jessica Simpson Jeanswear that The Jones Group currently licenses.

Jessica Simpson Sportswear is iconic, redefining the new modern American classic.  The vision of the brand focuses on key items that relate through fabric, print and color.  This new, contemporary line encompasses various categories, including jackets, woven and knit bottoms, tops, dresses and skirts.  Each look captures the essence of Jessica Simpson's flirty, feminine and sexy style for the fashion-forward consumer.  Jessica Simpson Sportswear will be available in over 650 doors in both specialty and department distribution in the U.S. and Canada beginning fall 2011, and sold adjacent to Jessica Simpson Jeanswear where available. Products will be at compelling retail price points with a strong price/value equation, with bottoms retailing from $69-$89; tops: from $39-69; sweaters and wovens: from $59 to $89; skirts: $69 - $89; and jackets $89 to $129.

Vince Camuto, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Camuto Group, said: "We are thrilled to launch Jessica Simpson Sportswear, which is the next step in creating a complete lifestyle brand. The line will add to the largest category in our portfolio of licensed products and represents a significant market opportunity. We are excited to be collaborating with The Jones Group on this venture once again, and look forward to a successful launch."

Jack Gross, Chief Executive Officer of Jeanswear for The Jones Group, said: "We are proud to be extending our collaboration with Camuto Group to add the important element of sportswear to the Jessica Simpson lifestyle brand.  This line affords us the ability to expand the retail space and critical mass of this powerful brand. Jessica Simpson Sportswear embraces Jessica's flirty and feminine signature style and makes a strong statement that is compelling to our consumer.  This is an ideal opportunity to leverage Jones' best in class product expertise to meet retailer requests and consumer needs."  

Jessica Simpson said: "Since entering the fashion industry, I've envisioned including a sportswear line in my lifestyle brand.  I am thrilled to be broadening my collection with the help of such talented partners.  This new sportswear line reflects my evolving style, which combines comfort, femininity and flirty fun."

About Camuto Group

The Camuto Group is a leading organization for design, development and distribution of women's fashion footwear and is renowned for its ability to build women's lifestyle brands on a global scale.  Camuto Group products are sold in over 5400 doors worldwide.  The Camuto Group is the owner of the Vince Camuto and Arturo Chiang brands and is the master licensee for the Jessica Simpson Collection.  The company also develops and manages several exclusive brands for Dillard's, and holds the footwear license for BCBGeneration, BCBG Max Azria, Lucky Brand and kensiegirl. The company's portfolio also includes the design and sourcing of footwear for Tory Burch as well as a partnership with the apparel lifestyle brand Sanctuary.

About The Jones Group Inc.

The Jones Group Inc. (www.jonesgroupinc.com) is a leading global designer, marketer and wholesaler of over 35 brands with best-in-class product expertise across five divisions: apparel, footwear, jeanswear, jewelry and handbags.  The Jones Group has a reputation for innovation, excellence in product quality and value, operational execution and talent.  The Company also markets directly to consumers through branded specialty retail and outlet stores and through its e-commerce sites.

The Company's nationally recognized brands and licensing agreements (L) include: Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Rachel Roy (L), Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, B Brian Atwood (L), Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i, Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Joneswear, Andrew Marc/Marc Moto (L), Kasper, Energie, Evan Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson (L), Dockers (L), Sam & Libby, Givenchy (L), Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Pappagallo.

SOURCE The Jones Group Inc.