Ann Loves Toronto!

Ann Taylor Celebrates the Grand Opening of its First International Store at the Toronto Eaton Centre Together with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - On Thursday, October 4 ^th, Ann Taylor celebrated the grand opening of its first international store with a chic in-store cocktail together with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF).  The first Canadian Ann Taylor flagship store is located in the Toronto Eaton Centre with a second international store set to open this November in Toronto at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Special guest speakers included Ann Taylor President: Brian Lynch, Head of Design:  Lisa Axelson, BCRF President: Myra Biblowit and BCRF Researcher: Dr. Pamela Goodwin.  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.  Ann Taylor is thrilled to announce that through their support they will fund Dr. Pamela Goodwin's research throughout 2013.

Notable media and VIP attendees included: Caroline Mulroney-Lapham, Vanessa Mulroney, Kirstine Stewart of CBC, Leesa Butler, Tara Spencer-Narin, Marilyn Denis host of The Marilyn Denis Show, Suzanne Boyd, Alexandra Weston of Holt Renfrew, Jane Francisco, Deirdre Kelly, Larry Rosen and John Sullivan, President of Cadillac- Fairview.

The new Ann Taylor store spans over 3,800 square feet, and offers a full range of women's apparel, accessories, including bags, small leather goods and footwear.  All apparel, accessories and footwear are designed under the direction of Lisa Axelson, the brand's Head of Design.

To welcome Canadians to Ann Taylor, The Toronto Eaton Centre location will host a shopping event on Saturday, October 13 from 1-5 p.m. in partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). The event will include a live DJ, refreshments, product giveaways, and a free limited edition tote with any purchase over $100. Ten percent of sales from the event will be donated to BCRF.

For more information, visit: www.anntaylor.ca www.facebook.com/anntaylor www.twitter.com/anntaylor www.pinterest.com/anntaylorstyle

About Ann Taylor Ann Taylor is an iconic lifestyle brand that is defined by a unique balance of fashion and work for modern women of substance and style across every generation. Ann Taylor operates 277 stores across the United States, as well as an e-commerce website at www.anntaylor.com. Ann Taylor is a division of ANN INC (NYSE: ANN).

About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. In October 2012, BCRF will award $40 million to 197 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and China. With 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country. For the tenth time since 2002, it has earned 4 stars from Charity Navigator. Additionally, BCRF is the only cancer organization rated an "A+" by CharityWatch. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

SOURCE Ann Taylor

Image with caption: "Interior of Ann Taylor, Eaton Centre (CNW Group/ Ann Taylor)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121005_C4798_PHOTO_EN_18990.jpg

Image with caption: " Justin MacFarlane, Lisa Axelson, Brian Lynch, Jessica Bongard (CNW Group/ Ann Taylor)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121005_C4798_PHOTO_EN_18991.jpg

Image with caption: " Marilyn Denis, Lisa Axelson, Alexis Honce(CNW Group/ Ann Taylor)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121005_C4798_PHOTO_EN_18992.jpg

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