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Shoppers Spring Into Action to Snag Runway Looks With Payless Designer Collections

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Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, alice + olivia for Payless Among the Most Broadly Distributed Designer Footwear Labels in America Today

TOPEKA, Kan., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This season, spring showers won't dampen consumers' spirits as fashion bursts into full bloom with high-style footwear and accessories at refreshingly accessible prices.

As Payless ShoeSource(R) launches its spring line, shoppers will have even greater incentive to refresh their wardrobe and make room for the newest crop of sling-back platform heels, ballet flats, boat shoes and espadrilles, as well as the exclusive designer lines Abaete for Payless(TM), Lela Rose for Payless(TM), and alice + olivia for Payless(TM).

On a mission to democratize fashion and design in footwear and accessories, Payless ShoeSource is bringing shoppers the latest styles at unbeatable prices. In addition to designer collections that debut on the runway at New York Fashion Week, the company is also securing its position as a "House of Brands" retailer with an expanded portfolio of well-known brands including Airwalk(R), American Eagle(TM), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and Dunkman(TM).

The Abaete for Payless designer label returns this spring with a distinctive collection now available nationally in select stores and Payless.com. Previewed on the runway at New York Fashion Week last fall, designer Laura Poretzky's seventh line for the retailer features pastel Miami hues, vintage-inspired silhouettes and ruched pleat details in perforated faux kidskin and snakeskin. The line features a peep-toe sling-back, peep-toe flat, and strappy sandal, along with two handbag styles.

Lela Rose unveils her third Lela Rose for Payless collection with a line characteristic of her trademark interplay of textures and colors. The visually intricate line features shoes and handbags inspired by the timeless sporty spirit of Katherine Hepburn and the glamorous femininity of Audrey Hepburn. Denim, linen, tortoiseshell patterned, and saddle piping adorn four shoe silhouettes, as well as a coordinating clutch and tote. Silhouettes include a classic ballet flat, polka dot patterned pump, peep-toe pump, and sling-back flat.

This spring, fashion-forward shoppers are also treated to the debut of Payless' newest Guest Designer: Stacey Bendet with her alice + olivia for Payless label. Revealed last fall at New York Fashion Week, Bendet's first-ever shoe collection offers a rock-n-roll twist on '60s-femininity and '70s-sophistication. The original styles are designed to mix and match with Bendet's mod spring apparel, and include a fun oversized polka dot ballet flat, patent platform wedge, metallic sneaker, and coordinating clutch all featuring bold pops of color -- a Stacey Bendet signature.

Payless has an exclusive with these three Guest Designers and shoppers can get these designer footwear labels only at Payless. The alice + olivia boutique stores also carry the alice + olivia for Payless collection.

Additional spring styles are flowing into Payless stores now. From woven sling-backs and casual espadrilles to patent wedges and strappy snakeskin sandals, the diverse array of styles and silhouettes ensure that everyone will find footwear and accessories to fit their fashion personality.

Additional key footwear trends for the spring season include:

* Silhouettes -- sling-back wedges, platform heels, and espadrilles,
    t-strap heels, peep and round-toe pumps, round- and peep-toe flats, boat
    shoes, fashion sneakers, and strappy sandals

* Colors -- caramel tans, natural browns, light pinks, soft grays, classic
    reds, nautical navy, rosy corals, turquoise, vibrant pinks, bright
    yellows

* Materials -- denim, patterned linen, patent leather, perforated leather,
    snakeskin, wovens

The Payless spring collection for women is currently available in stores nationwide. The line boasts dozens of fresh new footwear styles with coordinating handbags with pricing starting at just $15 an item.

About Payless Guest Designers

Laura Poretzky, Lela Rose and Stacey Bendet are Payless Guest Designers -- select fashion designers that create designer footwear and accessory collections featuring the latest runway looks, which Payless brings to its stores at value prices. Each collection is unique and reflective of the designer's signature style: Poretzky's "American international," drawing from her rich international experiences living in Brazil, France and New York, Rose's strong focus on "classic with a twist," and Bendet's "retro sophisticate." The Payless Guest Designer program is a key strategy in Payless' overall mission to democratize fashion in footwear and accessories. For more information about Payless at New York Fashion Week and the company's Guest Designers, please see paylessontherunway.com.

About Laura Poretzky

Laura Poretzky is a New York-based designer who designs under the Abaete label. She was born in France to a Russian father and a Danish-Brazilian mother, and raised between Paris, Rio de Janeiro and New York. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Laura went on to work at some of the most prestigious fashion houses in New York. After the launch of her successful swimwear line, Laura extended her designs into a complete line of ready-to-wear apparel and now footwear -- drawing as much on her experience as a New Yorker as on her Latina and Eurasian roots.

About Lela Rose

Lela Rose is a Texas native and 1993 graduate of the Parson's School of Design. She worked at Christian Francis Roth as Design Assistant and soon after with Richard Tyler as Design Assistant and Fabric Buyer. In 1998, Rose's vision and passion compelled her to create her signature ready-to-wear collection, Lela Rose, with studio headquarters in New York City. Through intricately designed and finely detailed separates, dresses and jackets, Rose has established herself as a renowned designer. In 2007, Rose launched a wedding collection focused on pairing unconventional fabrics and techniques -- a trademark of the designer. Rose is rounding out her offering with the designer footwear and accessory collection, Lela Rose for Payless.

About Stacey Bendet

Founded in 2002 by Stacey Bendet, alice + olivia launched its "just pants" collection to rave reviews. Soon thereafter, Andrew Rosen, founder of Theory, became Stacey's partner in the company. Using innovative fabrics and unique designs, alice + olivia successfully expanded into tops, dresses, eveningwear, sweaters, bathing suits, denim and men's, creating a unique lifestyle brand for today's retro sophisticate. The collection is available at its signature boutiques and in over 500 stores around the world such as Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Scoop, and Neiman Marcus.

About Payless

Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. As of the end of fiscal year 2007, the company operated more than 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com/.

Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE:PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands American Eagle(TM), Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and designer collections Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice + olivia for Payless, among others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R), Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R), Lamar(R), Sims(R), LTD(R), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-Wheels(R), and Skate Attack(R). Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com/.