ANN INC. Reaffirms and Reinvigorates Support of the Fight Against Breast Cancer

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ANN INC. (NYSE: ANN), the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, today announces its continued support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) through its planned giving campaign, new in-store and online promotions, and the support of thirteen BCRF researchers.

"As a company made up of 93% women, ANN INC. has a responsibility to help address real issues facing women today. Breast cancer touches the lives of so many women, and our support of BCRF is incredibly important to our associates, our clients and our leadership," said Kay Krill, President and CEO of ANN INC. "We're committed to helping women put their best selves forward, and through this giving campaign, we hope to help make a positive difference for those women who have been or will be touched by this disease."

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, ANN INC. is proud to support BCRF through the sale of Ann Taylor Cares and LOFT Cares Cards. Through this unique program, the Company has donated $10 million since 2005 and in 2012-2013 will fully fund thirteen research projects. The grantees represent a group of esteemed investigators from leading institutions across the country.

Additionally, the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands are each offering new opportunities to engage their clients in support of the cause by purchasing limited-edition products. To honor Evelyn Lauder, founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Ann Taylor designed The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection, inspired by archive pieces from Evelyn Lauder's exquisite jewelry collection.  This year's LOFT "Live In Pink" campaign features a signature pink collection designed by LOFT, styled by Giuliana Rancic, and anchored by a limited-edition statement necklace of Giuliana's own design.

BCRF will be honoring Kay Krill with the Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award in recognition of her dedication to raising awareness of breast cancer and ANN INC.'s support of lifesaving research. The Award will be presented by Kate Hudson, award-winning actress and the face of Ann Taylor's fall campaign. The annual BCRF Symposium and Awards Luncheon will take place on October 30, 2012 at the Waldorf=Astoria.

"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is grateful for the ongoing support from ANN INC. because it fuels our mission to continue to make a significant investment in life-saving breast cancer research," said Myra Biblowit, President, BCRF. "I am so honored to recognize Kay and ANN INC. for their passion for women's issues and their critical financial contributions to the Foundation. It is clear that Kay as a leader and ANN INC. as a company truly live and breathe their purpose and values. Kay Krill's dedication to making a direct impact on women's lives makes her especially deserving of the Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award."

About ANN INC.
ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in the United States. The Company operates 962 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of July 28, 2012, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

About ANN Cares
ANN INC.'s commitment to corporate responsibility extends into the communities where we live and work. Through its charitable platform, ANN Cares, the Company develops campaigns that engage, inspire, and connect its clients and associates with the charities that it supports.  ANN INC. provides support to renowned programs that contribute to women's and children's health and well-being, as well as its associates and the environment.  Since 2005, the Company has contributed over $20 million to its national charitable partners.  Visit ResponsiblyANN.com for more information.  

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.

BCRF Research Grantees
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Scientific Advisors recently completed the selection of grantees for the coming year and thirteen grantees were selected as the ANN INC. 2012 -2013 BCRF grant recipients led by, Dr. Graham A. Colditz, from the Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Carol J. Fabian from the University of Kansas,  Dr. Dawn Hershman from Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Stephen D. Hursting from the University of Texas, Dr. Johanna A. Joyce from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Seema Khan from  Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Nancy U. Lin from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Kathy D. Miller from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Annette L. Stanton from the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Dr. Richard C. Zellars from the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Lois Shepherd from Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Kala Visvanathan  from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Dr. Laura Esserman from the University of California, San Francisco.

The Ann Taylor Cares Card and LOFT Cares Card
Those who purchase a $25 Ann Taylor Cares Card or LOFT Cares Card, available September 21 through October 31, will receive 20% off every purchase of $100 or more at Ann Taylor, LOFT, Ann Taylor Factory Store, LOFT Outlet, AnnTaylor.com, and LOFT.com through November 15th, or 25% if combined with the Ann Taylor or LOFT credit card.  Ninety percent of the purchase price of every card sold is donated directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection
In recognition of Evelyn Lauder's dream of a world without breast cancer, this October, Ann Taylor will donate sixty-five percent of all full-price purchases of The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection was inspired by pieces from the late Evelyn Lauder's jewelry collection. Lisa Axelson, Head Designer, took inspiration for the design of the gold chain link necklace, bracelet and earrings from Mrs. Lauder's archive pieces. Lisa added pavé encrusted crystals and pink stones at the clasps in honor of the style icon's lifelong dedication to the fight against breast cancer. "Evelyn Lauder was the epitome of glamour and substance—a model for how to live life with grace, style and compassion," said Axelson. "It's incredible to design something beautiful that will give back to a cause that is so important to so many women."  The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection will be available in-stores and online in late September 2012. The Evelyn Lauder Legacy Collection necklace retails for $98, bracelet $68, and earrings $58.

Earlier this year, Ann Taylor donated $300,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from the sale of the Ann Taylor Cares Card and the Floral Watercolor Scarf during the month of May.

Live in Pink by LOFT in partnership with Giuliana Rancic
This October, LOFT evolves our continued support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) through the unveiling of "Live in Pink"–a very special partnership with Giuliana Rancic, anchor of E! News, co-star of E!'s popular Fashion Police team, style personality and breast cancer survivor.

"I wanted to create a piece that was versatile and stylish yet still symbolic of the message," says Giuliana. "The chain links are current while the rhinestone detailing adds a bit of glamour and sass. This necklace can be worn with a simple t-shirt and your favorite jeans or a more formal LBD and heels.  It really can go from day to night!" The necklace retails for $69.50 and will be available in LOFT stores and at LOFT.com this October. Twenty-five percent of the full-price purchase of the necklace will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Get inspired by Giuliana Rancic's style or make the look your own. Visit LOFT.com during October to see Giuliana's "Live in Pink" looks. The signature pink collection, designed by LOFT, includes a fuchsia mini flounce dress, the perfect pink skinny cords, a sequined pink skirt, a heart-print blouse, sparkle ballet flats, a thick-knit infinity scarf, drop earrings and statement graphic tee. All pieces will be available in select LOFT stores and at LOFT.com.  Items range from $34.50 to $89.50 and twenty-five percent of the full-price purchase of each item will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

SOURCE ANN INC.