NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today announced that it has signed an exclusive license agreement with The Echo Design Group, Inc. which will manufacture and distribute women's scarves, gloves and cold weather accessories under the Gloria Vanderbilt and GLO brands to department stores, national chains, mass merchants, and specialty retailers that carry Gloria Vanderbilt apparel. The collection will be launched to the trade for Fall 2004 delivery in showrooms located at 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York.

Peter Boneparth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jones Apparel Group, Inc., stated, "We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Echo Design Group for Gloria Vanderbilt scarves, gloves, and cold weather accessories. This agreement complements the head-to-toe strategy currently encompassing such items as denim, sportswear, footwear, handbags and licensed outerwear products for our consumer."

Steven Roberts, Co-President, The Echo Design Group, Inc. stated, "The Gloria Vanderbilt and GLO brands are bringing excitement and freshness to their channels of distribution. Their customer clearly appreciates great style and great value, qualities The Echo Design Group has always delivered. We are very excited about our affiliation with Jones and our forthcoming collection of Gloria Vanderbilt and GLO scarves, gloves and cold weather accessories."

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, and footwear and accessories under the ESPRIT brand licensed from Esprit Europe, B.V. Celebrating more than 30 years of service, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

The Echo Design Group, Inc., currently celebrating its 80th year, is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of fashion and home accessories under their own ECHO and Monsac brands, the licensed Polo, Ralph Lauren, Lauren, Polo Jeans, Adrienne Vittadini, Laura Ashley and The Museum of Natural History brands and is a leading custom resource for major retailers, corporations and museums.

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 2002 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.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.