NEW YORK, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today announced that it has signed a sub-license agreement with Carole Hochman Designs, Inc., to manufacture and market women's sleepwear under the Lauren Ralph Lauren brand in the United States to department stores that carry the Lauren Ralph Lauren Sportswear collection. Jones Apparel Group holds the license agreement with Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation for Lauren Ralph Lauren Sportswear and certain other categories. The Lauren Ralph Lauren Sleepwear collection will be launched to the trade in the January 2003 market for Fall 2003 delivery in showrooms located at 135 Madison Avenue, New York, New York.

Peter Boneparth, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., stated, "We are pleased to join with Carole Hochman Designs, Inc. and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation to extend the Lauren Ralph Lauren brand. This collaboration will strengthen our market leadership position with the ultimate Lauren consumer."

Carole Hochman, Chairman, Carole Hochman Designs, Inc., stated, "We are thrilled to enter into a partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren and the Jones Apparel Group, two of the world's premier apparel companies. The Lauren Ralph Lauren Sleepwear collection adds an exciting new dimension to the sleepwear category. We consider this to be an extraordinary business opportunity."

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. Carole Hochman Designs, Inc., privately held, is a leading marketer of sleepwear, loungewear and robes in department stores, specialty stores and mid-tier retailers in the U.S. under the Carole Hochman, and licensed Oscar de la Renta, Esprit, Jockey and Nine & Co. labels.

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