Payless ShoeSource Democratizes Runway Style During New York Fashion Week, Unveils Fall Designer Collections at Lincoln Center

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This week Lincoln Center transforms itself into a hub of runways, designers and the fashion elite with the official start of New York Fashion Week tomorrow when models outfitted in the hottest looks for the upcoming fall season start strutting the runways to preview the Fall '11 collections -- including the unveiling of the Payless Fall Designer Labels Christian Siriano for Payless and Lela Rose for Payless.

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Payless Designer Collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today. The Payless Fall '11 designer lines feature original footwear and handbag designs expected to be available in September at price points from $30 to about $60 an item. In the meantime, shoppers can prepare their wardrobes for warmer temps with the Payless Spring Designer Collections, including Christian Siriano for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, and Isabel Toledo for Payless -- all hitting select Payless stores nationwide and Payless.com this week.

"We are thrilled to return to Lincoln Center this season and have our Payless Designer Collections debuted on the runway at our Designer Partners' shows," said LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource. "Christian and Lela each have a unique ability to create a beautiful synergy between their ready-to-wear (RTW) and Payless collections -- defining a growing trend of mixing high and low fashion with amazing results. Our Designer Labels embody high-fashion style and design, yet are available at affordable prices for all to enjoy – a true testament to our shared commitment to democratizing fashion."

Designed to channel natural influences , the Christian Siriano for Payless Gold label for Fall '11 evokes shapes and textures of exotic plants and animals found in their earthy environments. These elements are expressed in the shoes, which feature a signature blunt, hoofed-toe shape, petal detailing, and a mix of fabrics and textures suggestive of natural coats including furry wool and gunmetal python. The Christian Siriano for Payless Gold collection is Christian's exclusive line for Payless inspired by his runway shoe and handbag designs. The Fall '11 line features six styles accented by rich gold hardware, dome rivet studs, petal embellishments, leather straps and stick-straight lacquered heels. One notable, head-turning style is the convertible Tall-Shaft Armor Boot – an aesthetically powerful two-in-one style that features a contemporized Mary Jane upper and a gladiator-esque removable armor shaft. A tote and a clutch will also be carried down the runway in python and a lavish green "windmill" fabric – a nod to the natural inspiration of Christian's collection.

The Lela Rose Fall '11 collection is inspired by the work of painter Gerhard Richter, who believed that paintings should focus on the visual rather than the statement. Lela Rose has created unique, Richter-esque fabric prints that embody the artist's style of obscure imagery and are seen in the apparel and the Lela Rose for Payless shoes. The Lela Rose for Payless Fall '11 runway collection features substantial shapes created to coordinate with the narrow silhouettes and angular shoulder designs of Lela's fall apparel looks. The shoes feature a strong mix of fabrics and textures such as wool tweed and laser cut perforated suede, as well as rich colors including emerald green, mustard and camel. The line features five key styles featuring "hazy-square" patterned silk, metallic fabrics and distinctive wooden heels and wedges woven together with inlaid fabric. Coordinating handbags will also be featured in the Fall '11 collection and will incorporate similar design details.

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, also with two labels Christian Siriano for Payless Gold collection, his line directly inspired by his shoe and handbag designs from his runway show at New York Fashion Week, as well as Christian Siriano for Payless, an expanded line with the first collection due out in Fall; and the latest Designer Partner, Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless.

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 create designer footwear and accessory collections for Payless featuring the latest runway and red carpet styling 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 third quarter 2010, 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™, 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®, 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®, Above The Rim™, Vision Street Wear®, STRIKEFORCE™, Clinch Gear™, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championships™ and Hind®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource