Shoppers Get the Latest Fall Fashions for Less at Payless

TOPEKA, Kan., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  Just in time for fall's official start this Friday, Payless ShoeSource, the retailer on a mission to make fashion accessible to all, announced today the availability of its new fall collections including fashion-forward silhouettes in the season's most in-demand colors and trend detailing under a range of brands including new teen brand, Brash(TM), and exclusive designer labels Christian Siriano for Payless(TM), Christian Siriano for Payless(TM) Gold, Lela Rose for Payless(TM), Isabel Toledo for Payless (TM) and Silvia Tcherassi for Payless (TM).

To help update fall wardrobes, Payless is delivering the latest trends at affordable prices making it easy to dress in this season's hottest looks for less. This fall's must-have styles include ankle booties, embellished flats, casual canvas sneakers and sky-high pumps all starting as low as $17, with designer items starting at just $23.  In addition to on-trend footwear styles, shoppers can also easily accessorize with a range of handbags, scarves, fedoras, patterned tights and socks, as well as beauty items in the season's must have lip, nail and eye colors available for as low as $3 an item.  All shoe and accessory items can be found in the latest hues including cobalt blue, bright red and plum.

"We all know shoes and accessories can transform a look.  Every season we deliver a fresh array of footwear and accessory items to give women the latest trends to help them easily update their look at a great price," said LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless ShoeSource. "From the new Brash collection to our designer labels and beauty and body items, we have a full range of accessories perfect for every style and every budget."

Those looking to create their own independent, edgy look can turn to the Brash collection, which recently hit stores. This new line includes on-trend, affordable footwear, accessories and beauty items including platform pumps, wedges and flats done up in animal print adorned with a red bow, motorcycle and combat boots, a variety of handbags, jewelry and hair accessories, and the latest beauty items like lip stains all aimed at helping women and girls to create their own Brash fashion statement.

Beginning this fall, Payless and Christian Siriano have expanded their partnership and announced the launch of Christian Siriano for Payless, a second  label and an expanded collection arriving this month in 2,400 Payless stores across the U.S, Canada and Puerto Rico and Payless.com.  This collection features six modern shoe styles including dress pumps, ankle boots, ballet flats and strappy dress sandals perfect for everyday styling. Each of the designs feature special details such as gold buckles and metal studding, and incorporate luxe looking faux suede, leather and patent materials in deep black and soft grey, as well as bright pops of fuchsia. Also in stores this month is Christian's first label, Christian Siriano for Payless Gold, with styles inspired by his Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week runway show held in Feb. this year, which includes hidden platform pumps, heeled ankle boots and dressy flats, as well as a clutch and tote.  Pricing starts at $23 for Christian Siriano for Payless items and $40 for the Gold runway line.

As the newest designer label, the Silvia Tcherassi for Payless Fall '11 collection, draws its inspiration from the iconic "Red and Blue Chair" designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld.   Her five fall footwear styles include an ankle wrap d'Orsay heel done in black, red and blue color ways, a tall wedge boot, a platform bootie and a flat. The offering also includes a fold-over black tote and a clutch.

The Isabel Toledo for Payless Fall '11 collection melds both the West Coast and East Coast through its six shoe styles and two coordinating handbags. The cozy outdoor color inspiration of the West includes mossy greens, wood grain brown and colorful splashes of scribble yarn textile in a strong contrast to the bold graphic colors of the East including black, white, red and blue.  The collection features peep-toe pumps, a low-heel "ghillie," flats, as well as lace-up wedge booties and the "Gold Digger" rain boot.

In the new Lela Rose for Payless Fall '11 collection, Rose pulls inspirations from the work of painter Gerhard Richter.  The collection includes nine shoe styles and two coordinating handbags that mix fabrics and textures such as wool tweed in navy blue, mustard and camel, laser cut perforated suede and wood heels, as well as hazy black and white Richter-esque fabric prints -- a nod to the artist's style of obscure imagery.

Other key footwear trends for the fall season include:

• Silhouettes – slouch boots, ankle booties, aviator boots, riding boots, platform pumps, wedges, strappy caged shooties, ballet flats, canvas sneakers
• Colors – chestnut brown, cobalt blue, bright red, plum, deep black, soft grey, shades of taupe
• Materials – suede, tweed, faux leather, cozy faux fur 
• Details – animal prints, plaid, color blocking, glitter, chop-outs, straps, buckles, tassels, flowers, bows

The Payless fall collection for women is currently available in stores nationwide, as well as at Payless.com. The designer lines can be found in select stores and at Payless.com; Christian Siriano for Payless is available more widely at 2,400 stores.  The overall Payless Fall '11  line features dozens of fresh footwear styles and weather-appropriate accessories with new styles available every few weeks from well-recognized brands including Airwalk, Champion, Dexter, Fioni, among others.

About Payless Designer Collections

Payless Designer Collections are 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 and more moderately priced designer line with the first collection due out for Fall '11; Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless; and the latest designer: Silvia Tcherassi with Silvia Tcherassi for Payless. 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 for all to enjoy. Payless offers customers a range of well-recognized brands such as Dexter®, Airwalk®, Champion®, Above the Rim® and Smart Fit®, as well as designer labels by Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Isabel Toledo and Silvia Tcherassi. As of the end of the second quarter 2011, the company operated 4,455 stores throughout the Americas and an online store (www.Payless.com) and also currently has more than 100 franchised stores located in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

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; 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(TM), Clinch Gear(TM), Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championships(TM) 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, Inc.