Payless ShoeSource Announces the Spring Zoe & Zac(TM) Collection of Affordable Green Footwear Stressing Top Trends of the Season: Cork Wedges, Strappy Slings, Moccasins, Hot Spring Hues

TOPEKA, Kan., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring has Sprung and as Earth Day approaches and shoppers shake off their winter doldrums to embrace the warmer weather, Payless ShoeSource is enabling affordable and fashionable green accessory options with the availability of its Zoe & Zac spring collection -- a line of affordable green shoes and handbags, with items under $30 each, that also stress "Fresh Green Fashion"(TM) and the season's hottest trends.

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"Our Zoe & Zac green brand is truly unique in the marketplace for two important reasons -- it offers affordable green footwear and accessories at under $30 an item and stresses a fashion-first positioning and the hottest trends of the season," said LuAnn Via, president of Payless ShoeSource.  "Each season, Zoe & Zac democratizes green and the latest fashion for all to enjoy.  Partnering with our Eco-Consultant, Summer Rayne Oakes, has been tremendous  -- she helps ensure that the products are as green as possible, while also maintaining a strong fashion focus."    

The Zoe & Zac spring collection features seven women's footwear styles, two girls' styles, and three handbags.  The shoes encompass key style elements of the season including silhouettes like strappy sling heels, cork wedge espadrilles, peep toe flats and moccasins.  Accents such as cut-outs, bows, and knot detailing add whimsy, while keeping the styles on-trend and current.  Three versatile tote options complement the shoe silhouettes; all items draw from a spring color palette of neutrals, navy, turquoise, tomato red and amethyst.

The Zoe & Zac green brand is available now in about 1,000 Payless stores nationwide and Payless.com®.  The line was created and first launched last April by Payless to democratize green footwear and accessory products by making them affordable and accessible and to bring eco-consciousness to the mainstream.  The Zoe & Zac products are green because they are made from eco-friendly components and materials such as organic cottons and linen, environmentally preferred faux leather, suede and patent, as well as natural hemp, recycled rubber outsoles, eco-friendly EVA cushioning, and water-based glues.  The product packaging is eco-smart as well, utilizing 100 percent recycled shoe boxes and soy-based inks for the printing.

"It's been fun and inspiring to work with Payless on the Zoe & Zac seasonal line to drive green innovation in the area of fashion footwear and accessories," said Summer Rayne Oakes, Payless' Eco-Consultant for the Zoe & Zac brand.  "We pinpoint the hottest trends of the season and translate those silhouettes, colors, and details into eco-friendly products using innovative materials and manufacturing processes to ensure the products are as green as possible.  I am proud of my work with Payless on the Zoe & Zac line.  Shoppers are able to wear sustainable accessories without sacrificing style and that's really important to me."

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 fiscal 2009, the company operated nearly 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com® 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®, Dexter®, Champion®, Zoe & Zac(TM), the first-ever affordable green footwear brand, and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose, alice + olivia for Payless, Christian Siriano for Payless and STLP 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®, 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.

About Summer Rayne Oakes

Summer Rayne Oakes is a model-activist and spokesperson, resident expert, and youngest board of advisors for Planet Green, Discovery Network's new eco-lifestyle channel.  The Cornell University graduate and environmental scholar has received media accolades including from Vanity Fair naming her a Global Citizen, Outside naming her one of the Top Environmental Activists, Cosmopolitan naming her Fun, Fearless Female of 2007, and CNN's Nicole Lapin nominating her as a "Young Person Who Rocks."  Through her work as a consultant Summer Rayne advises companies and organizations, and works on sustainable development and environmental programs in the U.S. and abroad.  In February 2009, she released her first book, Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion & Beauty published by Chronicle Books.  Her most recent role as consultant is with Payless ShoeSource as Eco-Consultant for the company's Zoe & Zac green brand, where she helps the company find innovative ways to create "fresh green fashion."

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource