Payless ShoeSource Spring Designer Collections Unveiled on the Lincoln Center Runways at New York Fashion Week

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- New venue, new inspiration, new designs ...This week, the New York fashion community will be migrating uptown to celebrate a new venue for Fashion Week along with the latest trends for the upcoming spring season.  Models will strut the runways at Lincoln Center to preview the Spring '11 collections, including the forthcoming footwear and handbag offerings from Payless designer labels Christian Siriano for Payless and Lela Rose for Payless.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060627/CGTU040LOGO-b)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060627/CGTU040LOGO-b)

Payless Designer Collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today.  The Payless Spring '11 designer footwear and handbag lines will be available in stores in February with price points under $60 an item.  In the meantime, shoppers can prepare their wardrobes for cooler temps with the just-in Payless Fall Designer Collections, including Christian Siriano for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, and the newly launched Isabel Toledo for Payless collection, all available now in select Payless stores nationwide and Payless.com.

"Each season we eagerly await the latest creations from our designer partners," said LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless ShoeSource.  "For the Spring '11 season, Christian Siriano and Lela Rose have yet again delivered head-turning footwear and handbag styles that beautifully express their unique design points of view.  From Christian's flair for edgy and powerful looks to Lela's 'classic with a twist' aesthetic, we are proud to debut distinctive, high-fashion styles at prices that everyone can enjoy.  The accessibility of these runway looks is at the heart of our commitment to democratizing fashion."

The Christian Siriano Spring '11 collection is inspired by African, Indian and Chinese influences mixed with measures of elegant opulence.  The ready-to-wear apparel includes a breadth of silhouettes ranging from wide-legged trousers, safari shorts and jackets to structured cocktail dresses and light, flowing evening gowns.  Siriano's line includes a signature Asian fabric print based on digital photographs showing different vantage points of Chinese and Buddhist temples combined with varying perspectives of Indian beading.  The shoes utilize the fabric too and uniquely meld the cultural combination into four key styles hitting the runway today, each with style names inspired by international cities in each region: Shanghi with its heavy Chinese influence; Mumbai inspired by Buddhist temple architecture; Nairobi heavily influenced by the neckpieces worn by the women of the Padaung tribe of Southeast Asia; and Zanzi, a bootie that features strong African influences.

The Lela Rose Spring '11 collection will hit the runway on Sunday and is inspired by Lima, Peru, and its strong mix of old-meets-new cultures and architectures at various stages of development in the city.  Lima is a richly colored city with patina hues of yesteryear among very bold colors of today. The city has a strong heritage in textiles and patterns iconic to the city's landscape, culture and commerce.  Lela Rose for Payless Spring '11 runway collection includes five key styles with old-meets-new inspirations and Peruvian textile inspirations.  The shoe designs -- named after streets of Lima -- include: Loreto with its striated wedge heel inspired by the city's hillside landscape; Magdalena accented with a rich brown raffia-wrapped textile wedge sole; Olaya, a T-strap with a wedge sole wrapped in an iconic Peruvian navy-clay colored woven textile; Canevaro a T-strap dress heel; and Olivos, the all-satin cocktail shoe in the Spring '11 line.

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 with Christian Siriano for Payless; newcomer Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless as well as Patricia Field, who has had a long-standing and close relationship with Payless for years as the stylist of the retailer's TV and print ads and designer behind Patricia Field for Payless capsule collections.  Field's most recent collection for Payless features a set of "Lucky Charms" -- necklaces featuring unique charmed items, such as the over-sized four-leaf clover, inspired by her work on Sex and the City 2, or the Turkish Eye.    

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 and stylists create designer footwear and accessory collections for Payless featuring the latest runway and red carpet styling details 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 second quarter 2010, the company operated nearly 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) 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(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R), Zoe & Zac(TM), 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 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(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R), Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R). Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource, Inc.