Jones Apparel Group Gets New Name

Celebrating its 40th year, Jones Apparel Group is changing its name to The Jones Group Inc. Since its founding in 1970, the company has been a pioneer in providing high-style, high-quality fashion to women in the modern workplace.

 

As one of the world's leading fashion companies, The Jones Group designs and markets many of today's largest and most influential lifestyle brands, including Nine West, Jones New York and Anne Klein - as well as recent portfolio additions such as Rachel Roy, Robert Rodriguez and Stuart Weitzman. The name change reflects this evolution.

 

Sidney Kimmel, founder and chairman of The Jones Group, says: "I am humbled to think that 40 years ago we started with nine associates on Walnut Street in Philadelphia as a single brand company and have grown to be over 35 lifestyle brands and category labels operating in seven product categories. The business, while rooted in apparel, has expanded well beyond its beginnings."

 

Adds Wesley Card, chief executive officer of the Jones Group: "This new name embraces Jones' heritage while signaling our vision for the future. Jones has never been better positioned to leverage our exceptional talent, best-in-class product expertise and innovative brand management across our apparel, footwear, jeanswear, jewelry and handbag divisions. With these resources, we can not only cultivate our existing brands to their full marketplace potential, but also discover and nurture new brands and design talent into high-demand, global branded businesses. We remain focused on optimizing and expanding our portfolio to deliver value to shareholders, applying the same passion and creativity with which Sidney Kimmel founded the company."

 

The name change, which will be effective at the end of October, will not affect the existing corporate structure of the company nor will it have any impact on the status of any of its brands or licensing agreements.