NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JA Apparel Corp. and J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) today announced the launch of JOE Joseph Abboud, a comprehensive collection of Men's sportswear, shirts, ties, tailored clothing, outerwear and footwear. Launching at JCPenney in September 2009, JOE Joseph Abboud - owned by JA Apparel Corp., owners of global lifestyle brand Joseph Abboud - creates a "neo-traditional" lifestyle category in Men's that caters to customers seeking designer casual, business casual and dressy attire at affordable prices.

"We have been developing a strategy to position our global brand in these price segments for quite some time and always felt that style and affordability should go hand and hand. JCPenney allowed us to do what we do best - create quality fashion clothing men want to wear - while making it accessible," said Marty Staff, president and chief executive officer, JA Apparel Corp. "We think that JCPenney has shown tremendous foresight and leadership in bringing designer fashion to their customers. We view this strategy as visionary, and answering the needs of consumers. "

"Partnering with Joseph Abboud builds on our commitment to deliver exceptional designer style and quality to customers at affordable prices," said Steve Lawrence, executive vice president of Men's apparel at JCPenney. "In response to the emerging need of men seeking well-known, high-quality brands, we are stepping up our style - making a renowned designer brand accessible to the moderate consumer at an incomparable value. This launch underscores JCPenney's success in delivering brands that inspire and enable customers to have the designer style they want at prices that make sense for their budgets."

Highlights from the Fall 2009 JOE Joseph Abboud Collection:

• JOE Joseph Abboud Sportswear

JOE Joseph Abboud Sportswear includes classic, 100 percent cotton shirts in exclusive patterns such as tonal plaids and variegated stripes, 100 percent cotton sweaters and vests in textured argyles, ottoman ribbed and Fair Isle jacquards, and versatile 100 percent cotton Bedford cord trousers, dressier flat-front trousers and casual 100 percent cotton jeans. All items range from $50.00 to $60.00.

• JOE Joseph Abboud Tailored Clothing

JOE Joseph Abboud Tailored Clothing features sophisticated suiting separates and sportcoats. Suiting separates are available in three styles - a two-button, notch lapel jacket and coordinating pant in both black and brown fine line stripe, and a grey herringbone two-button, side vent jacket with a peak lapel and corresponding pant. Jackets from this collection retail for $240.00 and matching pants for $120.00. The two-button sportcoats with a center vent have a stylish sueded finish and are available in three colors - black, tan and brown. Sportcoats retail for $200.00.

• JOE Joseph Abboud Outerwear

JOE Joseph Abboud Outerwear comes in several styles including microsuede bombers, wool pea coats and button-front car coats. Retail prices range from $140.00 to $180.00.

The launch of JOE Joseph Abboud will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign including broadcast and print components as well as aggressive online promotions via www.jcp.com.

About JA Apparel Corp.

The Joseph Abboud Brand embodies sophisticated American style for traditional menswear. The Joseph Abboud brand instills confidence through tailored collections and unique sportswear that are crafted from the world's finest fabrics and defined by superior fit, exceptional quality and remarkable luxurious style.

Since 2004, the Company has made a successful transition from men's suit designer to global lifestyle brand. Joseph Abboud can now outfit a man in style throughout his entire life, thanks to lines of clothing for men and boys and a growing collection of casual wear. In addition, the Company has an expanding universe of products ranging from luggage to footwear to eyewear to home furnishings. Abboud brand names include Joseph Abboud, JOE Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud BOYS, and Joseph Abboud Home.

Joseph Abboud branded products are available in superior department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States, China, Indonesia, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan, as well as other countries.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,101 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $18.5 billion in 2008 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.

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For JA Apparel Corp:

Trudy Larson, 212-841-4020

VP Marketing & Public Relations

larsont@josephabboud.com

or

HWPR

Paul Lerner, 212-935-1558 x108

plerner@hwpr.com

or

For JCPenney Corporate Communications (business and trade media relations):

Quinton Crenshaw, 972-431-3400

jcpcorpcomm@jcpenney.com

or

For JCPenney Brand Publicity (lifestyle media relations):

Merianne Roth, 972-431-2317

mroth4@jcpenney.com

or

Molly Magill, 972-431-8184

mmagill1@jcpenney.com

Source: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

<<Business Wire -- 04/17/2009>>