The Talbots, Inc. Announces Senior Executive Promotion

Ruthanne Russell Named SVP, Human Resources
HINGHAM, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) today announced that it has promoted Ruthanne
Russell to Senior Vice President, Human Resources, replacing John Fiske, who was
recently appointed Chief Stores Officer. Previously Vice President of Human
Resources, Ms. Russell will now oversee all of the Company`s Human Resource
functions including HR services, HR management, talent management, diversity and
recruiting, organizational design, learning and development and corporate
communications and community relations. She will report directly to Trudy F.
Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Talbots, Inc.

"Since joining Talbots, Ruthanne has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills
and a strong background in organizational design, training and professional
development," said Ms. Sullivan. "Having played a critical role in creating a
new organizational structure to support Talbots long-range strategic plan as
well as designing a comprehensive Change Management Model that has helped
associates adapt and thrive during times of intense change, I am confident that
Ruthanne will excel in her new position and continue to play an important role
in the Company."

Ms. Russell, 49, joined Talbots in 2004 as Director of Human Resources and most
recently served as Vice President of Human Resources Services. Previously, she
was Vice President of Training and Development for Bright Horizons Family
Solutions, a leading provider of child care and one of Fortune magazine`s "100
Best Companies to Work For." Additionally, she was a senior consultant with
ExecuComp Consulting Group which specialized in providing human resources
consulting.

Ms. Russell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Salem State
College. She currently resides in Duxbury, MA.

The Talbots, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of women`s
apparel, shoes and accessories. At the end of fiscal 2008, the Company operated
stores in 870 locations in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, with
587 locations under the Talbots brand name and 283 locations under the J. Jill
brand name. 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 Talbots, Inc.
Julie Lorigan, 781-741-7775
Senior Vice President, Investor and Media Relations
or
Berns Communications Group
Melissa Jaffin/Jessica Liddell
Investor/Media Relations
212-994-4660 or 212-871-8701

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