Isabel Toledo for Payless Spring '12 Collection Debuts at the Designer's First Runway Show in More Than a Decade

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night at Isabel Toledo's first runway event in more than a decade at a show held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the designer debuted her Spring '12 apparel line paired with her Isabel Toledo for Payless Spring '12 collection featuring nine shoes and two handbags that channel Toledo's practical elegance design aesthetic.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110930/CG78331)

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The debut of the Spring Payless designer label -- Toledo's sixth line for the retailer -- featured shoes with a light, minimal feel offering a range of heel heights from flats and something the designer calls "high flats," to silver bullet high heels and sculptural wedges.

"In this collection, I explored different heel heights for different moods -- shoes have never been more expressive! And the big news of the season is big splashes of delicious sunset colors -- color on your feet is the newest way to update your spring wardrobe," said the designer. "I am thrilled by my runway looks and equally excited to bring these designs to shoppers next spring, at an affordable price."

The runway collection includes the casual-chic Beach Boot with a soft, crushable natural linen tall-shaft upper designed to be worn pushed down and slouchy, flat sole and "sand escape holes," as well as the Espawind, a fresh aerodynamic take on the classic espadrille featuring striped and cobalt blue canvas uppers atop a stacked platform sole with alternating cobalt patent and jute rope striping, as well as Toledo's signature wrap-around ankle strap.

The Romadora is a sexy update to the classic fisherman's sandals with its silver bullet heel and multiple cross-the-vamp straps done in silver and gold tones -- "like bangles for the feet," according to Toledo. The Cleo is a similar silhouette but with fewer gold-silver straps as is the Isabel Aquarelle, which is done in a range of color combinations featuring splashes of sunset colors. The very versatile Bikini Billy style is what Toledo calls sexy-yet-practical "tango heels" that feature a thong upper, substantial heel and slight pod platform sole.

Three additional shoe styles complete the runway line: the unique Tiena "high flat" features a flat platform wedge with the stability and comfort of a flat sole slightly elevated and done in wood grain that is a strong contrast to the slick shiny finish of cobalt patent upper; the Mary wedge with its Mary Jane upper design done in solar and natural colors adorned with cobalt blue patent piping and paired with a sculptural wedge sole featuring Toledo's signature zig-zag ripple bottom treatment; and the Marina flat. Coordinating handbags include the Tear Drop tote in color-blocked natural linen and the Riviera tote in silver with natural linen and Caribbean blue raffia with bound cobalt patent.

"As usual, Isabel has wow'd us with unique shoe designs that meld fashion, art and invention in an amazing runway line up of colorful, chic, inventive, wearable and fun styles," said LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource. "Our Designer Labels are all about runway-to-reality by delivering high fashion at an incredible price for a range of consumers, and we are excited to bring these runway looks to shoppers for the Spring season."

Toledo, long an international fashion icon, became a household name in January 2009 for the "Lemongrass" Day Dress she designed for Michelle Obama to wear to her husband's historical inauguration. She is the creator of many signature looks and has been described as a "cult figure" by the New York Times and, one of the "100 designers that count" by Women's Wear Daily. Her designs are sold in some of the most prestigious stores in the world such as Barney's New York, Nordstrom, Ikram in Chicago, Colette in Paris, Shiseido Ginza in Tokyo and Liberty of London.

Payless Designer Collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America and offer designer style at affordable prices. The Payless Spring '12 designer lines feature original footwear and handbag designs to be available in stores and Payless.com in February at prices starting at under $40 an item. Until then, shoppers can prepare their wardrobes for cooler days with the Payless Fall Designer Collections, including Isabel Toledo for Payless, Christian Siriano for Payless Gold and Christian Siriano for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, and Silvia Tcherassi for Payless – all available in stores now.

About Payless Designer Collections

Payless Designer Collections are a key strategy for Payless in its mission to democratize fashion, design and the latest ideas in footwear and accessories for all to enjoy. Payless Guest Designers include Isabel Toledo with Isabel Toledo for Payless; Lela Rose, who has two labels: Lela Rose for Payless and a special occasion line, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose; Christian Siriano, also with two labels Christian Siriano for Payless Gold collection, his line directly inspired by his shoe and handbag designs from his runway show at New York Fashion Week, as well as Christian Siriano for Payless, an expanded and more moderately priced designer line with the first collection due out for Fall '11; and the latest designer: Silvia Tcherassi with Silvia Tcherassi for Payless. This select group of fashion designers create designer footwear and accessory collections for Payless featuring the latest runway and red carpet styling offered at value prices. Each collection is unique and reflective of the designer's signature style.

About Payless & Collective Brands, Inc.

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 for all to enjoy. Payless offers customers a range of well-recognized brands such as Dexter®, Airwalk®, Champion®, Above the Rim® and Smart Fit®, as well as designer labels by Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Isabel Toledo and Silvia Tcherassi. As of the end of the second quarter 2011, the company operated 4,455 stores throughout the Americas and an online store (www.Payless.com) and also currently has more than 100 franchised stores located in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

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; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider® Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Above The Rim®, Vision Street Wear®, STRIKEFORCE(TM), Clinch Gear(TM), Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championships(TM) and Hind®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource

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