Nine West Runway Relief Program Joins The CFDA's Fashion Targets Breast Cancer To Step Up The Fight Against Breast Cancer

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine West, a division of The Jones Group (NYSE: JNY) ("Jones"), continues to step out to raise funds and awareness for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC), The Council of Fashion Designers of America's (CFDA) charitable organization, through the Nine West Runway Relief Program in New York City during Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week. The program, which is now in its third year, aims to marshal the forces of the fashion and modeling industries to step up for a cause. Since the creation of QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale" in 1994, Nine West has been committed to raising funds for breast cancer awareness and prevention.

(Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120802/NY50448)

Nine West's Runway Relief Program has enlisted top fashion models participating in fashion shows, including Chrissy Teigen, Elsa Hosk, Ajak Deng, Jessica Gomes, Ariel Meredith, IIona Novacek, Catrinel Menghia and Elena Melnik to wear a limited edition, Nine West boot. Each step the models take off the runway including castings and fittings will equate to a monetary donation that Nine West will make to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

To kick off Nine West's Runway Relief Program, Nigel Barker chronicled the models giving back on camera by photographing the top faces from IMG, Next and One agencies. Celebrity Stylist, Kate Young, was on site to style the shoot and show her support.

Nine West is expanding the Runway Relief exclusive collection from the biker-chic boot ($149) and comfortably stylish tank top ($29) to include a Nine West drawstring backpack ($149), sexy aviator sunglasses ($38) and a news-boy inspired hat ($44). 100% of the proceeds from the tank top will go to FTBC. Starting August 1^st, the exclusive collection will be available on Nine West's website. The collection will be available nationwide at Nine West stores the first week in September and the boot will also be available at Lord & Taylor. Jet Jeans by John Eshaya ($194) has created a Runway Relief jean available exclusively on ninewest.com with all proceeds going to FTBC. Hanky Panky has also created an exclusive boyshort ($38) and thong ($29) in their signature lace with the FTBC symbol emblazoned on the hip in crystals to raise additional awareness for the cause.

"Nine West is honored to work with the most fashionable partners, from models and photographers to the CFDA and their charity, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, for the third year of Runway Relief," said Debbie Woloshin, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Nine West. "Raising money and awareness for early detection, research and care is our number one priority."

"This year we will elevate the Nine West Runway Relief program to the next level. Our three year exclusive partnership with Nine West and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer reaffirms the brands commitment and dedication to raising awareness for this worthy cause. We are excited to join forces as an authoritative voice behind this powerful movement," said Steven Kolb, Chief Executive Officer of the CFDA.

"Runway Relief is a powerful vehicle to increase breast cancer awareness and empower women around the world," said Diane von Furstenberg, CFDA President.

Nine West and the CFDA are also creating a series of Public Service Announcements with interviews from Professor of Clinical Medicine and Medical Director of the Weill Cornell Breast Center, Dr. Anne Moore, breast cancer survivors as well as CFDA members, Diane Von Furstenberg, Charlotte Ronson, Tracy Reese and Kelly Cutrone to help unite the fashion industry to spread the word. The PSA will air August 2^nd.

Nine West is partnering with Fiat for Fashion's Night Out on September 6^th and will host a fun and interactive event with Nigel Barker and top models at Nine West's Rockefeller Center store location. Fiat will be providing a fleet of mobile shuttles for Fashion's Night Out and into Fashion Week offering rides to VIPs. They are also donating a Fiat 500 to auction off in October with all proceeds benefitting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Nine West is stepping up its social media game to bring this initiative to the next level. They will partner with photo-driven social media platform Instagram and Refinery29.com to hold Runway Relief Photo Walks in key cities across the US. Consumers are invited to participate by encouraging friends and family to sponsor their walk with a monetary donation.

In addition to these partnerships, Nine West will sell albums from Columbia Records artists with all proceeds being donated to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. The albums will be sold on ninewest.com through October.

Twitter users can follow Nine West's Runway Relief Program's hashtag, #RunwayRelief to get updates in real time for the entire program.

Consumers will also have the option to directly support the cause by making a dollar donation during checkout from August 1^st through October 31^st at Nine West stores nationwide.

Join. Donate. Sponsor. Shop at www.ninewest.com 

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, 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, Rafe (L) and C&T Costello Tagliapietra (L). 

About Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) is a charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation. Through FTBC, the CFDA enlists the support of designers, models, retailers and other creative energies within the fashion industry to raise public awareness and funds for the breast cancer cause, in the U.S. and internationally. The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 370 of America's foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. 

SOURCE Nine West