Talbots Names Avra Myers SVP & General Merchandise Manager of the J. Jill Brand

Business Wire, June 18, 2008

HINGHAM, Mass. -- The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) today announced that it has named Avra Myers Senior Vice President and General Merchandising Manager of the J. Jill brand. In this role, Ms. Myers will be responsible for all merchandising for the J. Jill brand.

"A proven merchant with significant experience in the specialty sector, Avra brings a deep knowledge in Women's apparel having been a member of the team that founded Club Monaco and developed and implemented the strategic initiatives that grew the brand to international recognition," said Paula Bennett, President of J. Jill. "We are thrilled to welcome Avra to the J. Jill team as she will be instrumental in our continued efforts to improve the product offerings to our customers. Her experience will be invaluable as we elevate the look and feel of the stores and build greater awareness of the J. Jill brand."

Ms. Myers, 51, held a number of key leadership roles including Vice President of Merchandising and New Business Development responsible for all product lines and licensing partners during her 21-year tenure at Club Monaco, which was acquired by Polo Ralph Lauren in 1999. Most recently, Ms. Myers was President and General Merchandising Manager for Limited Stores, a division of Limited Brands, Inc., where she spearheaded the effort to redefine the brand throughout the Limited Stores organization from the design concept to the customer store experience. She also worked as a product developer and design assistant for Alfred Sung after Co-owning and having led the design efforts at Binksley Fine Woolens in Toronto, Canada.

"I have a great respect for the J. Jill brand and believe there is a tremendous opportunity for future growth," said Ms. Myers. "I look forward to working with Paula and the J. Jill team in repositioning the brand and driving improved performance."

A native of Canada, Ms. Myers attended Sheridan College of Crafts & Design. In her new role, Ms. Myers will be based in Hingham and will report directly to Paula Bennett, President of the J. Jill brand.

The Talbots, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of women's apparel, shoes and accessories. The Company currently operates stores in 871 locations in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, with 595 locations under the Talbots brand name and 276 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.