J. Jill Nature of Compassion T-Shirt Contest
________________________________________________
Ericka Helwig
(617) 520-7028
ehelwig@webershandwick.com
J. Jill Announces Winning Customer Design for
"Nature of Compassion" T-Shirt Contest

More Than 120,000 Customers Vote For Design by Pediatric Nurse;
100 Percent of Proceeds from Limited-Edition Tee Will Benefit Women in Need

QUINCY, Mass. - September 21, 2006 - J. Jill, the multi-channel specialty retailer of artistically inspired casual women's apparel, footwear and accessories, today announced Rebecca Mueller of Bettendorf, Iowa as the winner of the "Nature of Compassion" t-shirt design contest to support the J. Jill Compassion Fund. Mueller was one of more than 2,500 entrants to the contest who were asked to submit their original artwork depicting inspirational elements of nature. Eligible contestants could not be professional designers.

Mueller is a pediatric nurse at St. Anthony's Hospital in Chicago and resides in Bettendorf, Iowa. As a hobby, Mueller creates cards and stationery for her friends and family using real dried flowers that she collects from throughout the United States. Mueller's daughter, Heather, has encouraged her mother to sell her greeting card designs. After seeing the J. Jill "Nature of Compassion" contest in the catalog, Heather had the idea for her mother to enter.

"I never expected I would win the Nature of Compassion contest and am still stunned that my artwork was chosen from so many fantastic designs," Mueller said. "The most worthwhile part of winning is that I would never have been able to contribute on this level on my own to those in need. I am always looking for ways to help, and I'm happy my design will give me the opportunity to do that."

More than 120,000 customers voted online and Mueller's creation, Tower Flowers, was the chosen as the winning tee. Her simple, yet elegant, design features images of four dried wild violets that she collected in her Iowa hometown.

Mueller's design will be featured on a long-sleeve, limited-edition t-shirt that will be sold in J. Jill stores, catalog and online at www.jjill.com beginning in November and throughout the holidays. J. Jill will donate 100 percent of the profits from the winning tee to the J. Jill Compassion Fund, which supports community-based organizations that help poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. The t-shirt will retail for $24.50.

"J. Jill is delighted to announce such a deserving woman as the winner of our 'Nature of Compassion' t-shirt design contest. Rebecca's design is inspired by the beauty of nature in her hometown and truly embodies the spirit of J. Jill," said Lauren Cooke, public relations manager at J. Jill. "Our customers have a strong creative sensibility and an equally deep concern for the community; judging by the outpouring of entries and votes, the combination of the two made this contest very compelling. We are looking forward to producing this special t-shirt and to contributing the proceeds to organizations that will help other women."

Mueller will receive an artistic getaway for herself and a friend to Artista Creative Safaris for Women in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California and a J. Jill shopping spree. Mueller's name will also appear on the tagless label of the long-sleeve tee bearing her winning design.

To order the "Nature of Compassion" tee when it is available in November or to find a J. Jill store near you, visit www.jjill.com.

About The J. Jill Compassion Fund
The J. Jill Compassion Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Boston Foundation, is committed to providing support to community-based organizations that help poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. J. Jill Compassion Fund grants have supported more than 20 organizations that help women to empower themselves and change their lives. The J. Jill Compassion Fund was established in June 2002 and since its inception, J. Jill has donated more than $1.2 million to the Fund and recommended more than $700,000 in grants.

About The J. Jill Group, Inc.
The J. Jill Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Talbots, Inc., is a multi-channel specialty retailer of artistically inspired casual women's apparel, accessories, and footwear. The company currently offers its merchandise through its retail stores, catalogs and website jjill.com.