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                                  DESIGNS, INC.
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                            JEWELCOR MANAGEMENT, INC.
     (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING DEFINITVE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL, IF OTHER THAN
                                   REGISTRANT)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 1999
Contact:          Jacqueline Quigley  (561) 447-4713

      Will the Board of Directors of Designs, Inc. Really Sell the Company?

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania..."Shareholders of Designs, Inc. (NASDAQ-DESI) should
have a great concern as to whether or not the Board of Directors  really intends
to sell the company," stated Seymour Holtzman,  President,  Jewelcor Management,
Inc. (JMI), a 9.9% shareholder of the company.

Holtzman said,  "It has been well over a month since the company  announced its'
intention to sell, and the indicated activity is less than impressive. I thought
the company  would  welcome my  proposal  to purchase  the company for $3.00 per
share, subject to financing.  I was shocked and dismayed that they instead chose
to attack my motives.  This is rather curious since it has been publicly rumored
that Joel Reichman, President of Designs, Inc. and a director may be looking for
financing to do a management led buyout.  What kind of conflict of interest does
he have?"

"For the past month,  the company has  commented  that a change of control could
jeopardize their banking  relationship,  which I find to be very amusing. Why in
the world would a  financial  institution  like the Bank of Boston be  impressed
with management that has lost $71.4 million over the 21 months ended October 31,
1998? I certainly  can  understand a financial  institution  "locking in" a loan
relationship based on tried, proven and good management,  which certainly is not
the case with Designs, Inc."

"Furthermore,  as of October 31, 1998,  the company  borrowed $10.3 million from
the Bank of Boston which was  collateralized  by $58 million of inventory  and a
substantial amount of all of the other assets of the corporation.  I just do not
believe that it is any big deal to replace that type of financing arrangement."

Holtzman  stated,  "The  company's ad hominem  attacks and cheap shots at me are
transparent.  I have always looked to help the shareholders get added value, and
that most  certainly  is the case here.  However,  I have grave  concerns  as to
whether or not the company will accept any offer. In that case, the company does
not have to notify shareholders of that decision and could easily put into place
additional anti-takeover defenses."

"If the Board of Directors really intends to sell the company,  then they should
make a statement that there will be a clean auction process with no "sweetheart"
deals, no lockup options,  no breakup fees, or other schemes that would affect a
"level playing field" for all interested parties."