Payless designer collections hit the runway

NEW YORK, N.Y. Payless ShoeSource unveiled its designer labels for spring at New York Fashion Week. Guest designers include Lela Rose, Stacey Bendet and Christian Siriano. Payless Spring '10 designer footwear and handbag collections will be available in stores in February with average price points under $40 an item.

The Lela Rose collection is inspired by old Venice Beach surf and scuba wear. The shoe collection - Rose's 11th Lela Rose for Payless seasonal line - includes six styles featuring her signature use of fabric and mixed materials coupled with Alex Katz’s use of color. The silhouettes consist of sculpted wedge heels, criss-cross straps and peep-toe mary jane details.

Stacey Bendet's collection for alice + olivia is inspired by the Plastiscines, a French all-girl rock band. This is Bendet's sixth line for Payless and includes such silhouettes as a platform pump, tall slouchy boot, gladiator-style flat sandal and platform heel. The line uses such details as the use of form-fitting "wet-suit" material, a "sandalized" upper design combined with a tall boot.

Christian Siriano's Spring '10 RTW collection inspired by Mediterranean travel. Rich colors like fuchsia, blue and orange are used to evoke the coastal sunset. Khakis, nudes and blushes are present, as well as a unique printed fabric used heavily in the collection. The five shoe silhouettes and accompanying handbags - Siriano's second line for Payless - convey textural tribal themes with the use of mottled prints and hides combined with raw metal sequins and details.