Designers Jeffrey Costello & Robert Tagliapietra Launch Capsule Dress Collection

NEW YORK, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed designers Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra have launched a capsule collection of affordable dresses eponymously named C&T Costello Tagliapietra.  The line of 15 styles, ranging from knee to ankle-length with a variety of necklines and sleeve styles, are available exclusively at Barneys New York, with prices starting at $298.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55810-designers-jeffrey-costello-robert-tagliapietra-capsule-dress-collection-ny

The newly launched line shares the key attributes Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra's namesake brand are known for: vivid colors and exquisite draping that flatters every figure. 

Said Costello and Tagliapietra, "It's a love letter to all the women we've worked with who were craving a more accessible form of our brand."

The designers explored romance through shape in every aspect: offering a wide range of silhouettes, from asymmetrical to long sleeve; creating skin-baring, sensual necklines that include deep-V necks, low scoop backs and keyhole cut-outs; showcasing the pair's signature drapery in feminine waist ties and wrapped bodices.

The duo's other inspiration, flowers, is evident in their selection of saturated, yet demure, hues.  Anchored by solids of rich forest greens, grays, oranges and browns, the floral prints demonstrate a mature, controlled perspective on pop colors. Fabric reproductions of Costello's paintings incorporate bright blues, corals, jade greens and flashes of white.

The prints also utilize the environmentally-friendly AirDye® technology which the designers have utilized in the past and were recognized for their efforts with the 2010 CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Award. AirDye® uses less water and less energy than the traditional textile dyeing process, therefore contributing significantly less to global warming and water pollution.  "Prints are an essential aspect of our aesthetic, so if we can participate in an ecologically conservative dyeing process and garner the same visual results, we are more than happy to do so," stated Costello.

"The fluid sensibility and draping techniques which are signature to Robert and Jeffrey's designs are beautifully represented in C&T," said Tomoko Ogura, Fashion Director Women's CO-OP. "We are very excited to be introducing the collection to the CO-OP this season."

The C&T Costello Tagliapietra capsule dress collection was developed and produced in partnership with The Jones Group Inc.

ABOUT COSTELLO  TAGLIAPIETRA
Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra established Costello Tagliapietra in Spring 2005 and were inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2006. Winners of the 2005 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award and the 2010 CFDA/Lexus Hybrid Living Award, the design partners were named finalists of the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund both in 2005 and 2006. Both Jeffrey and Robert were taught at an early age by their grandmothers the finer points of tailoring, couture patternmaking and construction and have designed and dressed many celebrities and notables including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Oprah Winfrey.

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 product expertise in 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 internationally recognized brands and licensing agreements (L) include: Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Kurt Geiger, Rachel Roy (L), Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, B Brian Atwood (L), Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Carvela, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Miss KG, Jones Wear, Kasper, Energie, Evan-Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson (L), Sam & Libby, Givenchy (L), Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Pappagallo and Rafe(L). 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements regarding the Company's expected financial position, business and financing plans are forward-looking statements.  The words "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements also include representations of the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

• those associated with the effect of national, regional and international economic conditions;
• lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic downturn or lower levels of consumer confidence;
• the tightening of the credit markets and the Company's ability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms;
• given the uncertain economic environment, the possible unwillingness of committed lenders to meet their obligations to lend to borrowers, in general;
• the performance of the Company's products within the prevailing retail environment;
• customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product lines;
• the Company's reliance on a few department store groups for large portions of the Company's business;
• the Company's ability to identify acquisition candidates and, in a competitive environment for such acquisitions, acquire such businesses on reasonable financial and other terms;
• the integration of the organizations and operations of any acquired businesses into the Company's existing organization and operations;
• consolidation of the Company's retail customers;
• financial difficulties encountered by the Company's customers;
• the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which the Company operates;
• the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified executives and other key personnel;
• the Company's reliance on independent foreign manufacturers, including political instability in countries where contractors and suppliers are located;
• changes in the costs of raw materials, labor, advertising and transportation, including the impact such changes may have on the pricing of the Company's products and the resulting impact on consumer acceptance of the Company's products at higher price points;
• the Company's ability to successfully implement new operational and financial information systems; and
• the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

A further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including, but not limited to, the Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure and Item 1A-Risk Factors therein, and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to be incorrect.  The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE The Jones Group Inc.