Rafe Totengco, Creative Director of Handbags at The Jones Group, Receives 2010 Filipino Presidential Award

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jones Group Inc. ("Jones") (NYSE: JNY) today announced that Rafe Totengco, Creative Director of Handbags, was one of six individuals honored by the Philippine Government to receive the Presidential Award in the "Panama ng Filipino" category by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III.  The awards were presented at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on December 14, 2010.  This year, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Awards Secretariat, received 110 nominations from 23 countries.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101215/PH17676 )

Awards in the "Panama ng Filipino" category are presented to Filipinos who have brought their home country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in their profession.  Recipients must demonstrate consistently exceptional performance in a particular profession, innovation, social consciousness, or dedication and commitment to their craft, organization or cause.

Richard Dickson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Branded Businesses at The Jones Group said: "We are very proud of Rafe's accomplishments and are thrilled to call him a member of our talented team of designers and merchants.  We look forward to seeing his creativity come to life in his new collections for Jones."

Mr. Totengco joined The Jones Group in September 2010.  He is well-known among the design community and consumers for his namesake handbag collection, "Rafe New York®," launched in 1997.  Mr. Totengco has been a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 1998 and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors since that time, including the "Best Accessories Designer" (ACE) award from the Accessories Council and the "Rising Star" award from Fashion Group International.

The Presidential Awards operate on a biennial system and were established in 2003 through Executive Order of the President to recognize the achievements and significant contributions of Filipino individuals and organizations overseas for the benefit of communities in the Philippines and abroad.   From 2003 to 2008, a total of 314 individuals and organizations from 42 countries and territories have been granted this award.  A number of talented individuals from across the globe were recipients of this year's Presidential Awards.  

For more information about the 2010 Presidential Awards contact: The Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Manila, Philippines + (632) 561-8321

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 best-in-class product expertise across five divisions: 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 nationally recognized brands and licensing agreements (L) include: Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Rachel Roy (L), Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, B Brian Atwood (L), Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i, Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Joneswear, Andrew Marc/Marc Moto (L), Kasper, Energie, Evan Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson (L), Dockers (L), Sam & Libby, Givenchy (L), Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Pappagallo.  

SOURCE The Jones Group Inc.