NEW YORK, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today announced the expanded roles for two key executives. Susan Metzger, President, Sales and Marketing for Jones New York Signature will become Group President with the addition of Jones New York Sport, Jones New York Country, Easy Spirit Apparel and Rena Rowan to her responsibilities. Susan Rieland, President, Casual Design, for Jones New York Signature and Jones New York Sport will assume Jones New York Country, Easy Spirit and Rena Rowan.

Peter Boneparth, Chief Executive Officer of Jones Apparel Group, commented, "These talented executives and their teams have been the driving force behind the newly launched Jones New York Signature product line, which has just been rolled out for retailer review this month. The response has been extremely positive to this fresh, innovative product which completes the full lifestyle dressing needs of the Jones New York customer. We believe that these key brands under the direction of Ms. Metzger and Ms. Rieland will provide those businesses with a unique, differentiated product focus and additional growth opportunities."

Mr. Boneparth continued, "Susan Rieland and Susan Metzger have been key contributors to the success of Jones Apparel Group for many years, with their respective outstanding merchandising talent and sales and marketing expertise. We believe that their talent and skill sets will provide further acceleration to these additional apparel lines."

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; Polo Jeans Company licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation; Evan-Picone, Rena Rowan, Norton McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt, Erika, l.e.i., Energie, 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.