School’s in Session With Hot Fashions; Students Prepare to Walk the Halls in Style With the Latest Accessory Trends Including Plaids, Argyle and Tweed Prints

    TOPEKA, Kan., July 15 /EMWNews/ -- This fall, students will return

to school in high spirits sporting the latest must-have shoe and accessory

trends such as plaid flats, argyle backpacks, graphic and high-top

sneakers, moc-toe loafers, peep-toe and ballet flats, mary jane heels,

wedges, and vintage-inspired pumps. At prices averaging under $20 each,

kids and teens can ring in the new school year outfitted in the latest

brands and trends and still celebrate fashion in today's tight economy --

courtesy of Payless(R) and its mission to democratize fashion and design in

footwear.



    Payless ShoeSource(R) is bringing shoppers the latest styles at

unbeatable prices, including its Designer Collections, which hit the runway

at New York Fashion Week and include such labels as Abaete for Payless(TM),

Lela Rose for Payless(TM), and Alice + Olivia for Payless(TM). The company

has also secured its position as a "House of Brands" retailer with an

expanded portfolio of well-known brands now offered at Payless stores

including Airwalk(R), American Eagle(TM), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and

Dunkman(TM).



    "We are committed to delivering fresh, fashion-forward branded products

that channel youthful energy and individuality," said Matt Rubel, chief

executive officer and president of Payless ShoeSource. "There's no better

time to shop at Payless than in today's tight economic times. With the

arrival of our back-to-school collection featuring top brands like Airwalk

and American Eagle, not only will trend- and brand-conscious kids step out

with confidence, but parents can feel assured they are getting a great

value that won't blow their already strained budget."



    The Payless back-to-school collection features the latest trends

including:



    -- Silhouettes - high-top sneakers, slip-on slides, moc-toe loafers,

ballet flats, peep-toe flats, platforms, pumps, mary jane heels, wedges and

flats



    -- Colors & Patterns - cream, hunter green, vintage plum, muted gray,

classic black, fire engine red, plaid and argyle



    -- Materials - canvas, high shine patents, sparkly finishes, tweed



    -- Details - bows, studs, pleating, straps, buckles, chop-outs, frayed

edges



    Coordinating handbags and clutches come in structured shapes and

feature the most popular fall materials such as patent and plaid. Sturdy

backpacks with multiple zipper and buckle pockets provide plenty of storage

space for the student on-the-go.



    Sporty teens seeking to add edge to their wardrobes can kick it in

Airwalk's high-tops or graphic-canvas slip-ons, while the Designer-obsessed

can score runway-worthy looks with Payless' Fall 08 Designer Collections,

due to hit stores in the coming weeks. The line reflects styles straight

from the fall runway shows at New York Fashion Week.



    Payless Fall Designer Collections



    Lela Rose, Laura Poretzky, 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 affordable prices.



    Mirroring her inspirations for the fall 08 Abaete ready-to-wear apparel

line (RTW), designer Laura Poretzky's eighth Abaete for Payless collection

incorporates medieval influences such as metal and stud detailing combined

with pleated, soft silhouettes that channel '30s designer Madam Gres. The

interplay of hard and soft textures will be complemented by a palette of

black, bronze, silver, and gunmetal grey.



    The fall 08 Lela Rose for Payless collection showcases Rose's "Sporty

Cocktail" inspiration, a strong theme in Rose's Fall RTW line and in her

fifth collection for Payless. The designer presents an elegant twist on

"sport" with her signature focus on interesting and unique fabrics, such as

casual ribbed wool with elegant satin combinations.



    Stacey Bendet's third Alice + Olivia for Payless collection combines

'60s pop colors and structured silhouettes to add edge to Bendet's feminine

RTW apparel. The line includes styles that pop with bold colors, strong

styling details, high shine patent and laminated fabrics featuring

houndstooth and over-sized polka dots.



    Hannah Montana



    Hannah Montana fans will love Payless' exclusively designed line of

shoes and accessories inspired by the smash hit TV series. Girls can amp up

the glam factor with shoes, hair clips, wallets and backpacks featuring

plenty of glitter and metallic accents worthy of a young rock superstar.



    The Payless Back-to-School Collection starts appearing in stores

nationwide the week of July 21, offering a wide range of branded on-trend

footwear, handbags, and backpacks designed to meet the personal style

preferences of kids everywhere at prices parents appreciate.

    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 first quarter 2008, 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.