EXHIBIT (a)(5)(D)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.

Contacts:       Wesley R. Card, Chief Operating and Financial Officer
                Anita Britt, Executive Vice President Finance
                (215) 785-4000


                JONES APPAREL GROUP ANNOUNCES EARLY TERMINATION
                      OF HART-SCOTT-RODINO WAITING PERIOD

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - April 6, 2004 - Jones Apparel Group, Inc. ("Jones")
(NYSE:JNY) today announced that it has received early termination of the
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976
with respect to the tender offer by MSC Acquisition Corp., an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Jones ("MSC"), for all of the outstanding shares of Class
A Common Stock, together with the associated preferred stock purchase rights,
of Maxwell Shoe Company Inc. ("Maxwell") (Nasdaq: MAXS). The early termination
of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period has satisfied one of the conditions to
the MSC tender offer.

As previously announced, MSC commenced a tender offer on March 23, 2004 for
all of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, together with the
associated preferred stock purchase rights, of Maxwell at a price of $20.00
per share in cash.

The tender offer and withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire at 12:00
Midnight, New York City time, on April 19, 2004, unless extended.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jny.com) is a leading designer and marketer of
branded apparel, footwear and accessories. Our nationally recognized brands
include Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Norton McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt,
Erika, l.e.i., Energie, Nine West, Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Bandolino,
Napier, Judith Jack, Kasper, Anne Klein, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. We also
market apparel under the Polo Jeans Company brand licensed from Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation, costume jewelry under the Tommy Hilfiger brand licensed
from Tommy Hilfiger Licensing, Inc. and the Givenchy brand licensed from
Givenchy Corporation, and footwear and accessories under the ESPRIT brand
licensed from Esprit Europe, B.V. Celebrating more than 30 years of service,
we have built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value and in
operational execution.

This release does not constitute a solicitation of proxies in connection with
any matter to be considered at Maxwell's 2004 annual meeting of stockholders.
Neither Jones nor MSC is soliciting, or intends to solicit, proxies in respect
of any matter to be considered at Maxwell's 2004 annual meeting.

                          **************************


                             IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Investors and security holders are urged to read the disclosure documents
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 23,
2004 and from time to time, including the tender offer statement, regarding
the proposed transaction between MSC and Maxwell. Investors and security
holders may obtain a free copy of the disclosure documents (when they are
available) and other documents filed by Jones or MSC with the SEC at the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Jones or
MSC may be obtained free of charge from Jones by directing a request to Jones
Apparel Group, Inc., 250 Rittenhouse Circle, Keystone Park, Bristol,
Pennsylvania 19007, Attention: Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Investors and security holders are also urged to read the consent solicitation
statement relating to the solicitation of consents of Maxwell stockholders
when it becomes available. Jones filed a preliminary consent solicitation
statement on March 23, 2004 with the SEC and will file a definitive consent
solicitation statement as soon as practicable thereafter. Investors and
security holders may obtain a free copy of the preliminary consent
solicitation statement, the definitive consent solicitation statement (when it
is available) and other documents filed by Jones or





MSC with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, documents
filed with the SEC by Jones or MSC may be obtained free of charge from Jones
by directing a request to Jones Apparel Group, Inc., 250 Rittenhouse Circle,
Keystone Park, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007, Attention: Chief Operating and
Financial Officer.

                  CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS

Jones, MSC and, in each case, certain of its officers, directors and nominees
for the directorships of Maxwell, among others, may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of Maxwell's stockholders. The security
holders of Maxwell may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations
and interests of individuals who may be participants in the solicitation of
Maxwell's stockholders in the preliminary consent statement filed by Jones
with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 23, 2004.