Tailwind: Three World-Class Female Athletes Launch New Footwear Brand in NYC

NEW YORK, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- World-class soccer stars Brandi Chastain and Hope Solo and world renowned volleyball player Logan Tom today helped launch Tailwind(R), a new fashion-meets-performance footwear and accessories brand, providing women with innovation at a premium value never seen before.

The Tailwind products are driving a new category in the women's footwear market, combining fashion appeal with performance technology. The shoes feature G-Zone, a groundbreaking honeycomb gel that compresses on impact, giving an extremely smooth ride and a fantastic take off. Built for consumers looking for a stylish transition from the gym or dance studio to the street, the Tailwind collection includes trend-conscious colors, sculpted lines and innovative fabrications completing the shoe's stepped-up fashion exterior.

Brandi Chastain, three-time Olympic medalist and World Cup hero; Hope Solo, starting goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team; and Logan Tom, the youngest woman ever to be selected for the USA Olympic volleyball team, are the inspiring women forming the backbone behind the brand, exemplifying its view "Move Towards Your Life." Chastain was integrally involved in the brand development and the footwear design.

"To see the Tailwind collection come to life has been an extraordinary process. The designers fused fashion and performance, and there is integrity in every detail," Chastain said. "The G-Zone Runners are the real thing. They match innovative engineering with great design and deliver what a woman needs, something that can take them confidently through life and sport."

Six styles are being introduced, ranging from the $19.99 Ginger to the $34.99 G-Zone Runner; in sizes 6 to 11. The collection is available now, exclusively at select Payless(R) stores, and payless.com(R). The Back-To- School collection will feature silhouettes in fall's hottest hues and will be available in an expanding group of stores beginning in mid-July. The collection will evolve to winter styles and retro-inspired footwear, as well as a full line of accessories. For more information go to tailwind.payless.com.

"This collection celebrates expressive women who want the comfort and quality of a serious performance shoe combined with the fun of the latest contemporary fashion trends, all at a great value," said Clare Hamill, president and CEO of Exeter Brands Group. "We are excited about this new line and we know that it's going to strike a positive chord with women across the U.S."

Exeter designers built the new collection from the ground up, with the help of Nike's world-renowned Sports Research Lab. Exeter Brands Group LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oregon-based NIKE, Inc.

About Exeter Brands Group

Exeter Brands Group LLC, designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oregon-based NIKE, Inc., the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Exeter's portfolio includes Starter, SHAQ/ Dunkman and Tailwind brands, which are being distributed with major value retailers.

About Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

Payless ShoeSource, Inc., the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere, is dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories to inspire fun fashion possibilities for the family. The company is currently executing a House of Brands strategy, building a strong inventory of well-recognized branded footwear and accessories including Tailwind among many others. As of the end of the third quarter 2006, the Company operated a total of 4,574 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes online through Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com/.

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