NEW YORK, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) issued two press releases today announcing its filing of a $550 million breach of contract suit against Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and former Jones President, Jackwyn Nemerov, in respect of Jones' Lauren business, and the launch of a Jones New York lifestyle brand into better department store distribution for Spring 2004. Jones hosted a conference call to discuss the contents of these releases at 1:30 p.m. EDT today. A rebroadcast of the conference call is currently available and will remain available for at least the next 30 days through a webcast at www.jny.com.

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.

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.