EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Jones Group Inc.

Investor Contact:
John T. McClain, Chief Financial Officer
The Jones Group
(212) 703-9189

Media Contacts:
Joele Frank and Sharon Stern
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449

THE JONES GROUP INC. REPORTS 2012 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

New York, New York - April 25, 2012 - The Jones Group Inc. (NYSE: JNY; the "Company") today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were $936 million, as compared with $961 million for the first quarter of 2011.

The Company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.31 for the first quarter of 2012, as compared with adjusted earnings per share of $0.38 for the same period last year. The adjusted results exclude charges related to the impact of severance, asset impairments in retail locations to be closed and other costs related to restructuring activities, certain acquisition-related costs and other costs not considered relevant for period-over-period comparisons (see reconciliation of adjusted earnings to reported earnings in the accompanying schedule).

As reported under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company reported a first quarter loss per share of ($0.01) in 2012 and income of $0.30 per share in 2011. The 2012 and 2011 first quarter results include, among other items, costs and charges of approximately $28 million ($18 million after tax) and $9 million ($6 million after tax), respectively, related to the acquisition of Stuart Weitzman. In addition, the first quarter of 2012 also includes $12 million ($8 million after tax) of restructuring and strategic review costs.

Wesley R. Card, The Jones Group Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with the results we achieved in the first quarter, particularly our improved gross margin, which exceeded expectations. Our gross margin improvement of 230 basis points was the result of the inclusion of Kurt Geiger in the quarter and improvement in many segments as a result of conservative inventory planning and control. Our sales registered $936 million and were within expectations. The warmer weather during the quarter, coupled with an early Easter holiday, resulted in stronger sales in all retail channels during the period than expected. Our footwear and accessories and jeanswear groups performed the best at retail, while traditional sportswear remained more challenging and promotional. "

Cash used by operating activities during the first quarter of 2012 was $60 million, compared with $137 million in the prior year period. The current year results reflect a lower level of required investment in working capital, somewhat offset by lower earnings. At March 31, 2012, the Company had $147 million in cash and no amounts drawn under its $650 million of committed revolving credit facilities.

John T. McClain, The Jones Group Chief Financial Officer, commented: "Our financial position remains strong. We ended the quarter with $147 million in cash and our revolver undrawn. Our approach to inventory commitments continues to be conservative, and we continue to emphasize tight expense control. We believe these actions will enable us to continue to improve margins and maintain a strong balance sheet."

Mr. Card concluded: "On a macroeconomic level, we are encouraged by generally rising consumer confidence and positive retail trends. While we believe these trends should continue, the economic environment still contains mixed signals and consumer spending is unpredictable. We have made major enhancements to our Fall product offerings across our brands, most importantly to our sportswear product lines. We remain focused on executing against our strategic pillars, that is revitalizing our core brands, investing in emerging brands, expanding our international footprint, improving our direct-to-consumer performance and building on our operational excellence."

The Company's Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share to all common stockholders of record as of May 11, 2012, for payment on May 25, 2012.

The Company will host a conference call with management to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. eastern time today, which is accessible by dialing 412-858-4600 or through a web cast at www.jonesgroupinc.com (under Investor Relations/Conference Schedule). The call will be recorded and made available through May 3, 2012 and may be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529. Enter account number 10012825. A slide presentation will accompany the prepared remarks and has been posted with the webcast on the Company's website.

Presentation of Information in the Press Release

Financial information discussed in this press release includes both GAAP and non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons. A complete reconciliation of the GAAP measures presented to the comparable non-GAAP information appears in the financial tables section of this press release.

About The Jones Group Inc.

The Jones Group Inc. (www.jonesgroupinc.com) is a leading global designer, marketer and wholesaler of over 35 brands with product expertise in apparel, footwear, jeanswear, jewelry and handbags. The Jones Group has a reputation for innovation, excellence in product quality and value, operational execution and talent. The Company also markets directly to consumers through branded specialty retail and outlet stores and through its e-commerce sites.

The Company's internationally recognized brands and licensing agreements (L) include: Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Kurt Geiger, Rachel Roy (L), Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, B Brian Atwood (L), Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Carvela, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Miss KG, Jones Wear, Kasper, Energie, Evan-Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson (L), Sam & Libby, Givenchy (L), Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Pappagallo and Rafe(L).

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding the Company's expected financial position, business and financing plans are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

• those associated with the effect of national, regional and international economic conditions;
• lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic downturn or lower levels of consumer confidence;
• the tightening of the credit markets and the Company's ability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms;
• given the uncertain economic environment, the possible unwillingness of committed lenders to meet their obligations to lend to borrowers, in general;
• the performance of the Company's products within the prevailing retail environment;
• customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product lines;
• the Company's reliance on a few department store groups for large portions of the Company's business;
• the Company's ability to identify acquisition candidates and, in a competitive environment for such acquisitions, acquire such businesses on reasonable financial and other terms;
• the integration of the organizations and operations of any acquired businesses into the Company's existing organization and operations;
• consolidation of the Company's retail customers;
• financial difficulties encountered by the Company's customers;
• the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which the Company operates;
• the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified executives and other key personnel;
• the Company's reliance on independent foreign manufacturers, including political instability in countries where contractors and suppliers are located;
• changes in the costs of raw materials, labor, advertising and transportation, including the impact such changes may have on the pricing of the Company's products and the resulting impact on consumer acceptance of the Company's products at higher price points;
• the Company's ability to successfully implement new operational and financial information systems; and
• the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

A further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including, but not limited to, the Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure and Item 1A-Risk Factors therein, and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to be incorrect. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

THE JONES GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
(UNAUDITED)

Percentages may not add due to rounding.

THE JONES GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP
for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and April 2, 2011
(UNAUDITED)

THE JONES GROUP INC.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

THE JONES GROUP INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

THE JONES GROUP INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)