EXHIBIT 10.1

TRANSITION AGREEMENT

        This Transition Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into on December 15, 2010 by and between THE JONES GROUP INC., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), and SIDNEY KIMMEL ("Mr. Kimmel").

        WHEREAS, Mr. Kimmel is the founder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who has served as the Chairman of the Company in an executive capacity since 1975; and

        WHEREAS, Mr. Kimmel currently serves as Chairman pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated July 1, 2000 between the Company and Mr. Kimmel, which was amended as of July 14, 2008 (as amended, the "Employment Agreement"); and

        WHEREAS, Mr. Kimmel and the Company have determined that, commencing January 1, 2011, Mr. Kimmel will serve the Company solely in the capacity of non- executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as set forth below.

        1. Termination of Employment and Employment Agreement. Mr. Kimmel and the Company agree that, effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2010 (the "Effective Date"): (i) Mr. Kimmel's service as an officer and employee of the Company shall terminate, and (ii) the Employment Agreement shall terminate and have no further force and effect, except as to any provisions thereof that are to survive termination, as expressly provided herein or therein.

        2. Service as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. The Company acknowledges that, as required under the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Kimmel has offered his resignation as of the Effective Date as a director of the Company, and Mr. Kimmel acknowledges that the Board has voted to reject such offer in order to carry out the mutual intent of the parties and of the Board that Mr. Kimmel continue his Board service. Accordingly, commencing January 1, 2011, Mr. Kimmel shall serve as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of the Company until the appointment of a Chairman of the Board immediately following the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. In his capacity as non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kimmel's duties shall include presiding at Board meetings (except for meetings of the independent directors), establishing agendas for Board meetings, and such other duties specified under the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines as are normal and customary to such position, or as may be reasonably assigned to the non-executive Chairman by the Board. In compensation for his services as non-executive Chairman, Mr. Kimmel shall receive annual retainers, meeting attendance fees, restricted stock awards, and such other

compensation payable in such amounts and at such times as provided under plans and policies generally applicable to non-management directors adopted from time to time by the Board.

        3. Medical and Dental Benefits. The parties agree that in recognition of Mr. Kimmel's substantial and significant contributions and years of service to the Company, the Company shall provide continued medical and dental coverage for Mr. Kimmel and his spouse under the Company's group policy or otherwise, at the levels in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, during the lifetimes of Mr. Kimmel and his spouse, respectively; provided, however, that such coverage shall be secondary to any medical and dental coverage to which Mr. Kimmel and his spouse are entitled during such period under Medicare or similar legislation. Mr. Kimmel agrees that he, and if he predeceases his wife, his estate, shall reimburse the Company 100% of the premiums of maintaining such coverage.

        4. No Other Payments. Mr. Kimmel acknowledges that all equity awards previously granted to him have vested prior to the date of this Agreement and confirms and agrees that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, he shall have no right or entitlement from or after the Effective Date to any compensation, bonus, benefits or other amounts in connection with his employment with the Company or the cessation of his service as an employee (whether pursuant to the Employment Agreement, any plan, program or policy of the Company or otherwise), except that (i) any account balance of Mr. Kimmel under the 401(k) Plan shall be paid or distributed pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plan and (ii) Mr. Kimmel may elect to port or convert any of his term or supplemental life insurance coverage under Company group plans in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans.

        5. Survival of Provisions. Notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Agreement pursuant to Section 1 above, the parties agree that: (i) the rights, obligations and covenants of Mr. Kimmel set forth in the following sections of the Employment Agreement shall survive the termination of the Employment Agreement and shall continue in force and effect until Mr. Kimmel's death, notwithstanding any shorter duration specified under the Employment Agreement: Section 8 (Company Property), Section 9 (Confidential Information), Section 10 (Competition; Recruitment; Non-Disparagement) and Section 13 (Indemnification); and (ii) the obligations and covenants of the Company under Sections 10(c) and 13 of the Employment Agreement shall survive termination of the Employment Agreement and continue in force and effect until Mr. Kimmel's death.

        6. Miscellaneous.

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first above written.

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