Function Meets Fashion as Brands Combine New Balance Performance Technology and Nine West Style

NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nine West Group, a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) ("Jones"), and New Balance today announced that they have entered into an agreement to license, create and distribute a fashion-lifestyle footwear collection that brings together New Balance's innovative performance and materials technology with Nine West's renowned fashion styling. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, the initial collection will offer active lifestyle fashion footwear with performance technology, and will be available in a limited distribution nationwide and internationally for spring 2009. The collection will be designed in partnership with Fred Allard, Nine West Creative Director, and Savania Davies-Keiller and Roberto Crivello, New Balance Creative Directors. Material, color and design direction will come from both parties in a true collaboration of talent.

Manufacturing and production for the collection will be split between the companies: New Balance will be responsible for the innovative material direction and insole technology while Nine West will be responsible for soft-tech styling and trend-right color. This effort will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign, including public relations, events, and a combination of digital and traditional media.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with New Balance," said Wesley R. Card, Jones Apparel Group President and Chief Executive Officer. "Today's announcement marks yet another significant step toward enhancing the appeal of our core brands and growing them. Nine West and New Balance are powerful brands with strong consumer appeal. Through this partnership, we will drive our respective brands further into the fast-growing fashion athletic footwear category."

Rob DeMartini, Chief Executive Officer at New Balance, said, "Combining New Balance's leading performance technology including forward-thinking materials design, with Nine West's fashion expertise is a win-win opportunity for both companies. Together, we will offer fashionable and functional products that reflect the quality, style, innovation and comfort our customers and retail partners have come to expect. We are excited about this venture with Nine West that will enhance our current lifestyle business within the women's marketplace."

Andrew Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Footwear, Accessories and Retail of Jones Apparel Group, said, "We are proud to launch this lifestyle footwear line with New Balance, a brand that shares our passion for creative design and quality footwear. This collaboration brings together two longstanding, leading American brands in a unique partnership to combine performance, technology, fashion and comfort."

Since its founding 30 years ago, Nine West has evolved from an American shoe label to a leading global brand that encompasses not only footwear but accessories, sportswear, denim and more. Today, Nine West is known for offering consumers high quality, trend-right products. Founded in the early 1900s, New Balance has grown from a Boston-based arch support company to a leading global footwear, apparel and accessories company with a unique reputation for technological innovation, domestic manufacturing and best-in-class athletic and lifestyle products.

About Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (http://www.jny.com) is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty retail and value-based stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation, footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co and apparel under the Rachel Roy brand licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

About New Balance

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance employs more than 4,000 people around the globe, and in 2007 reported worldwide sales of $1.63 billion. New Balance manufactures and markets technically innovative, width-sized performance footwear and apparel for women, men, and children. Work and rugged casual styles for men are available through the company's Dunham brand, which joined the New Balance family in fall 1998. In spring 2003, lifestyle footwear for men and women debuted under the acquired PF Flyers brand. In spring 2004, the company introduced Aravon, a new comfort performance brand for women, and acquired Warrior Lacrosse, the premier lacrosse equipment manufacturer, to further pursue the team sports market. In 2005, Innovative Hockey was acquired to operate as a new division called Warrior Hockey. In August 2006, New Balance acquired Brine, Inc., a recognized industry leader in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and volleyball, based in Milford, MA. New Balance announced in December of 2007 that it had acquired the Vital Apparel Group, one of the leading active apparel companies in the United States, based in New York. New Balance also has several licensees, including Moretz Sports, Eyewear Designs Ltd., Franco Apparel Group, Packworks, and Hickory Brands. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

CONTACT: For Jones Apparel Group: Investors, John T. McClain, Chief Financial Officer, +1-212-642-3860
or Media, Joele Frank and Sharon Stern of Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, +1-212-355-4449;
For New Balance:, Lauren Kauffman of New Balance Lifestyle, +1-617-779-7642/
/Web site: http://www.jny.com
http://www.newbalance.com /