dressbarn and Dress for Success Partner to Assist Women Re-entering the Workforce

SUFFERN, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year thousands of women are unable to secure employment because they don't have access to appropriate ensembles to wear on job interviews.  dressbarn (NASDAQ:ASNA) is teaming up with the non-profit organization, Dress for Success, to gather 60,000 articles of clothing, as part of its S.O.S. - Send One Suit – Weekend® donation drive, March 7-10.

This year's clothing drive marks the 11^th consecutive year dressbarn and Dress for Success have partnered to help women in need receive professional business attire.  All 825 dressbarn stores across the country will serve as drop-off sites for new or gently used professional attire including suits, dress shirts, blazers, pants, dresses and shoes that will be used to benefit women seeking to transition into the workforce.

"We are thrilled to be a part of such a wonderfully philanthropic program," stated Veronica Valladares, dressbarn AVP of Marketing.  "We are not only giving these women clothing donations, we are helping them gain economic stability, a positive outlook and most importantly, a new and improved sense of self."

More than 55,000 professional items of clothing were collected during last year's 'Send One Suit' donation drive. This year, dressbarn would like to collect 60,000 pieces of professional attire; a pace of 15,000 items each day.

All of the collected professional items will be given to the international non-profit organization, Dress for Success, which will then distribute the articles nationwide to women looking to gain a job or trying to re-enter the workforce. Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

"We are enormous advocates of women helping women and at the foundation, that is exactly what Send One Suit is: an S.O.S. for women to recognize the needs of others, rally their peers and, most importantly, respond—by  donating their suits and separates to dressbarn," said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide.  "By working together, we can help disadvantaged women across the country take their next step toward financial freedom."

"A woman's professional wardrobe, or lack thereof, should not deter her from entering the workforce," continued Valladares.  "For the past 11 years, the 'Send One Suit' campaign has helped women across the country regain their ability to be self-sufficient and successful in their careers."

All 825 dressbarn stores will offer donors an additional 15% total purchase savings in gratitude for their generosity. A complete list of stores can be found at www.dressbarn.com.

About dressbarn

dressbarn, a division of Ascena Retail Group Inc. (NASDAQ -- ASNA), is a leading national women's specialty apparel retailer offering quality casual, career and special occasion fashions. dressbarn stores carry styles in sizes 4 to 24, as well as shoes and accessories. Today, dressbarn operates over 825 stores in 47 states.  For store information and to shop online, visit dressbarn.com.

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 120 cities in 13 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 650,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

SOURCE dressbarn