Payless Stores Bloom With the Latest Spring Shoe and Accessory Trends

TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless ShoeSource is heralding the start of the spring season with a new collection available in stores now featuring top trends such as espadrilles, shooties, platforms, cork wedges and boat shoe-inspired styles offered at prices as low as under $25, with Payless designer labels starting at $35.  

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"Our mission is to democratize fashion in footwear and accessories by offering high-impact designs at low price points and our new collection is sure to put a spring in the step of fashionistas everywhere," said LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless ShoeSource.  "The Spring '11 collection – featuring hot-off-the-runway looks from our designer labels – lets shoppers express their unique style personalities without compromising their budgets."

The Payless Spring '11 line features its popular Designer Collections, exclusive labels by New York fashion designers including Lela Rose for Payless™ and Christian Siriano for Payless™ both unveiled on the runway at New York Fashion Week last September, as well as Isabel Toledo for Payless™.  

The Lela Rose for Payless Spring '11 collection is inspired by Lima, Peru, and its strong mix of old-meets-new cultures and architectures at various stages of development throughout the city.  Lima, a richly colored city with patina hues of yesteryear among the very bold colors of today, has a strong heritage in textiles and patterns iconic to the city and its culture.  The Lela Rose for Payless Spring '11 collection includes Peruvian-inspired textile treatments and unique "striated" wedges inspired by Lima's hillside landscape where homes are nestled in horizontal lines across the vertical mountain side.  Seven footwear styles include two wedges, two flats, a tweed peep-toe pump, a satin dress sandal, and a slip-on skimmer sneaker.  Two coordinating handbags also align with the Lima inspiration.

Christian Siriano's Spring '11 collection for Payless is inspired by African, Indian and Chinese influences mixed with measures of elegant opulence.  The shoes meld the cultural combination into four key footwear silhouettes and two handbags that channel these international cities.  Shoppers can scoop up a strappy wedge, caged shootie, peep-toe flat, and peep-toe pump.  The offering also includes a faux snakeskin flap bag and a fan-shaped shopper.

As Payless' newest designer label, the Isabel Toledo for Payless Spring '11 collection represents Toledo's third seasonal line for the retailer.  Her seven spring footwear styles are graphic and bold, and draw inspiration from the striped awnings and colorful cabanas of French Rivera resorts.  The collection includes three modern wedges featuring sport mesh accented uppers, a kitten-heel mary jane, a platform sandal with a mix of graphical black and white striped fabrics, two signature "ghillie" styles and two flats.  A corresponding tote is available in the sport mesh and striped fabrics and has a carry-all size and shape perfect for a weekend getaway.

The Payless spring line incorporates the season's hottest silhouettes, details and colors.  Trend enthusiasts can sport espadrilles and other wedges, ankle-strap sandals, mesh sport sneakers, boat shoe-inspired mocs and wedges, and strappy shooties.  Tassel accents reflect the season's heavy nautical influence, while buckle, jewel and rosette details add eye-catching interest.  Plaid, metallic and chambray-like fabrics are prominent materials, rendered in shades of red, indigo, peacock blue and bold green.

The Payless spring collection for women is currently available in stores nationwide.  The line boasts dozens of fresh new footwear styles and coordinating handbags with more fashions arriving every few weeks into the spring and early summer season.

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; and the latest Designer Partner, Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless.  

The Payless Designer Collections are seasonal collections 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 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 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