press release

Aug. 11, 2011, 7:30 a.m. EDT

Zale Partners with Vera Wang to Offer Exclusive Bridal Jewelry
Renowned designer to launch "Vera Wang LOVE" collection of diamond engagement rings, wedding bands and solitaire jewelry available only at Zale.

DALLAS, Aug 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Zale Corporation /quotes/zigman/131594/quotes/nls/zlc ZLC +5.77% and Vera Wang today announced a partnership to launch a new, exclusive collection of diamond bridal jewelry.

The new collection will be called "Vera Wang LOVE" and will offer a variety of diamond engagement rings, matching wedding bands and solitaire bridal jewelry to be available exclusively in Zale stores throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico beginning this fall.

The partnership builds on the strengths of both brands, as Vera Wang is one of the most recognized and acclaimed designers in the world, especially known for her exquisite designs of bridal gowns, and Zales, The Diamond Store, is one of the most recognized North American jewelry brands.

Each piece in the Vera Wang LOVE collection will come with a certificate of authenticity, verifying it as an original design by Vera Wang. Each ring will include the Vera Wang LOVE logo engraved on the inside and every engagement ring will include a unique blue sapphire.

"Creating a line of beautiful diamond engagement rings and bridal jewelry is a natural extension of my passion for designing bridal fashion," Ms. Wang said. "I searched for a jewelry retail partner who met my quality and design philosophy and found Zale to be a perfect match."

"There are two iconic names associated with bridal engagements and weddings, Vera Wang and Zale," said Theo Killion, Zale Corporation Chief Executive Officer. "There simply isn't another designer in the world who matches the Vera Wang name for bridal design. The exclusive Vera Wang LOVE collection will allow us to provide our customers with Vera Wang's unmatched sense of design and the high quality our customers have grown to expect from Zale."

The new Vera Wang LOVE bridal collection is scheduled to arrive exclusively in Zales retail stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in October 2011, just in time for holiday engagements, and in Peoples retail stores in Canada in early 2012.

About Vera Wang Group

Vera Wang Group designs, markets and distributes collections of women's ready-to-wear, cocktail attire and bridal. Vera Wang Licensing LLC, the licensing division of the company, has selectively granted licenses for the manufacture and distribution of fragrance and beauty-related products (Coty Prestige, Inc.), eyewear (Kenmark Group), china, crystal, silver and gifts (WWRD), fine papers (William Arthur), mattresses (Serta), bedding (Revman), Lavender footwear (Brown Shoe), luggage (Hartmann), flowers (FTD), and Barbie (Mattel). In addition, Vera Wang on Weddings was published by Harper Collins in 2001. In 2007, the company partnered with Kohl's to introduce Simply Vera Vera Wang. In Spring 2011, Vera Wang launched her highly anticipated inaugural collection for David's Bridal, White by Vera Wang, which brings the acclaimed Vera Wang aesthetic to a new set of brides. For more information on Vera Wang, please visit the company's website at www.verawang.com .

About Zale Corporation

Zale Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of diamonds and other jewelry products in North America, operating approximately 1,845 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corporation's brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda. Zale also operates online at www.zales.com , www.zalesoutlet.com , www.gordonsjewelers.com , www.peoplesjewellers.com and www.pagoda.com . Additional information on Zale Corporation and its brands is available at www.zalecorp.com .

SOURCE: Zale Corporation




Zale Corporation
Roxane Barry, 972-580-4391
Director of Investor Relations
rbarry@zalecorp.com
or
Vera Wang Group
Priya Shukla, 212-575-6400 x4661
Public Relations Director
pshukla@verawang.com