To Chief Financial Officer - Footwear, Accessories and Retail Group

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wesley R. Card, Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY), today announced the appointment of Gloria DiPuma to the position of Chief Financial Officer - Footwear, Accessories and Retail Group of Jones Apparel Group, Inc.  In this capacity, Ms. DiPuma will oversee the financial operation for the wholesale footwear and accessories businesses and the Nine West Retail Group.  Ms. DiPuma joined Jones Apparel Group in June 1999 through the acquisition of Nine West Group Inc. where she has served, since 1993, in various senior financial and operational roles.

Ms. DiPuma will continue to report directly to Rhonda Brown, President and CEO, Footwear, Accessories and Retail Group.

Mr. Card stated, I am very pleased to announce this appointment.  Gloria has been an instrumental leader in the successful restructuring of the Nine West Group and we look forward to her continued contributions to the overall success of the Jones Apparel Group.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jny.com), a Fortune 500 Company, is a leading designer and marketer of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company's nationally recognized brands include: Jones New York; Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, and Polo Jeans Company, which are licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation; Evan-Picone, Rena Rowan, Norton McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt, Erika, l.e.i., Energie, Currants, Jamie Scott, Todd Oldham, Nine West, Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Bandolino, Napier and Judith Jack.  The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Tommy Hilfiger brand licensed from Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation.  Celebrating more than 30 years of service, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

Certain statements herein are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including the strength of the economy and the overall level of consumer spending, the performance of the Company's products within the prevailing retail environment, and other factors which are set forth in the Company's 2001 Form 10-K and in all filings with the SEC made by the Company subsequent to the filing of the Form 10-K.  The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE  Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

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/CONTACT:  Wesley R. Card, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, or Anita D. Britt, Executive Vice President Finance, +1-215-785-4000, both of Jones Apparel Group/

/Web site:  http://www.jny.com  /

(JNY)

CO:  Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
ST:  New York
IN:  REA FAS TEX
SU:  PER

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