Talbots Names Chris Jackson SVP Apparel, Design and Development of the Talbots Brand

The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) today announced that it has named Chris Jackson Senior Vice President of Apparel, Design, and Development of the Talbots Brand. In this role, Mr. Jackson will be responsible for the concept and design of all apparel under the Talbots label, including its core Misses, Petites and Woman’s lines. Trudy F. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Talbots, Inc. commented, "Chris’ appointment reinforces our strategy to become a design-led organization, focused on delivering compelling merchandise assortments that build on the classic heritage of the brand. We are delighted to welcome such a strong design talent, as Chris’ extensive experience both at Calvin Klein and Donna Karan will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the Talbots product and reinvigorate the brand image.” Mr. Jackson, 40, joins Talbots with 18 years of product design and development expertise, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Design for the Calvin Klein Bridge and Better Sportswear collections. Mr. Jackson previously spent nine years as Design Director for DKNY’s women’s collections. In these roles, Mr. Jackson had the opportunity to work directly with Mr. Klein and Ms. Karan on the development of design strategies. Mr. Jackson also held design positions at Anne Klein, French Connection and Nautica. In his new role, Mr. Jackson will be based in Talbots New York Creative Studio and will report to Michael Smaldone, Chief Creative Officer of the Talbots brand. Mr. Jackson commented, "I have long admired Talbots strong classic brand, and am excited to be joining Michael’s creative and talented team in refreshing this great brand.” Mr. Jackson holds a bachelor of arts degree in Fashion design from the Kingston School of Fashion in London. He resides in Brooklyn, NY. The Talbots, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories. The Company currently operates stores in 867 locations in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, with 595 locations under the Talbots brand name and 272 locations under the J. Jill brand name. Both brands target the age 35 plus customer population. Talbots brand on-line shopping site is located at www.talbots.com and the J. Jill brand on-line shopping site is located at www.jjill.com. The foregoing contains forward-looking information within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "expect,” "achieve,” "plan,” "look,” "believe,” "anticipate,” "outlook,” "will,” "would,” "guidance,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. All of the information concerning our financial outlook (including future profitability, future comparable stores sales, future earnings and other future financial performance or operating measures), future credit facilities, future merchandise purchases, future cash needs, and other future financial performance or financial position constitutes forward-looking information. Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our Company which involve substantial risks and uncertainty, including assumptions and projections concerning our internal plan including our budget for regular-price and markdown selling and operating cash flow for forward periods. All of our forward-looking statements are as of the date of this release only. The Company can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this release, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. Any public statements or disclosures by us following this release which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this release will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in or accompanying this release. Our forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties as to future events which may or may not occur, including the following risks: the impact of the continued deterioration in the U.S. economic environment, including continued negative impact on consumer discretionary spending, the disruption and significant tightening in the U.S. credit and lending markets, recessionary and inflationary pressures, high energy prices, and declining value of the U.S. dollar; our ability to accurately estimate and forecast future regular-price and markdown selling and operating cash flow; achieving the Company’s sales plan for the year for each of the Talbots and J. Jill brands; achieving the Company’s operating cash flow plan for the year; successfully executing the Company’s strategic initiatives, including anticipated lower inventory levels, expected operating expense and other cost reductions, the success of the new promotional cadence for the Talbots brand, reduced markdown exposure and improved gross margins, the successful closing of the Talbots Kids and Talbots Mens business concepts and closing of other underperforming stores; continued ability to purchase merchandise on open account purchase terms at expected levels; obtaining letter of credit facilities for merchandise purchases from vendors who require such facilities; the Company’s ability to obtain any necessary increases in its credit facilities as may be needed from time to time; the Company’s ability to reduce spending as needed; and the Company’s ability to continue to satisfy its financial covenants under its existing debt agreements. In each case, actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. Certain other factors that may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are included in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Talbots website at www.thetalbotsinc.com under "Investor Relations” and you are urged to carefully consider all such factors.