Ann Taylor, Looks for Fall '09

This fall we are re-vamping our line to be full of more fashionable, exciting clothing. Our fall 2009 collection features cozy sweaters, dresses, cute flats, and of course jeans for the chilly weather ahead. The colors plum, deep teal, black, navy, and cream can be seen throughout the sales floor reminding the shopper of the crisp days of winter soon to come.

Some of my favorite looks include this cozy cable knit wrap sweater. It’s perfect to wear over a t-shirt during the early fall, and can also be worn over long sleeves as it gets cooler. This cute knit is perfect to cozy-up in.

Cable Cardigan with Waist Tie $79.50

Another look I love is this cute flat with sweater material. The toe is embellished with jewel stones and the warm material will keep your tootsies warm! Jeweled Slipper $24.50

I also love this cute pull-over. Three-quarter raglan sleeves can be worn straight or rolled to elbow length with cute button-tab secures. It is made with 100% cotton, so it’s easy, comfortable, and cute!

Hoodie Pullover with Tab Sleeves $39.50

Lastly, our feature piece this fall (and my personal favorite) is this cute ruffle gold dress. The detailing at the neck and shoulders make this dress sophisticated, yet the metallic color brings out the fun and flirty side. The tie at the waist accentuates your curves, but can also be removed so that you could wear a belt in its place.

Ruffle Shimmer Dress $98

I hope you get to stop by and visit us as we cozy-up to this great new line!

Article: EXCLUSIVE: HEIDI KLUM & VICTORIA'S SECRET MODELS INVADE TIMES SQUARE!

Posted November 18, 2009 2:01:00 PM on etonline.com (Entertainment Tonight)

Only ET was with the always-stunning Heidi Klum, Marisa Miller, Alessandra Ambrosio and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show beauties as they take a NYC bus ride to Times Square moments before they sashay on the runway!
Heidi, who gave birth only five weeks ago, tells ET she feels like a veteran of the popular fashion show, saying, "I think it's my twelfth year, and I'm super excited to be still part of it."
Marisa will be donning the priciest item -- the Fantasy Bra - and she tells us her plan in case it falls apart onstage!
Watch the video for more about the sexiest fashion show of the year, and tune into the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show December 1 on CBS.

Here's a link to the website so that you can watch the video mentioned in the article:

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/11/81162/

"Exclusive: Heidi Klum & Victoria's Secret Models Invade Times Square!" ETonline Home. 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. .

Article: Ann Taylor Designs Limited-Edition Children’s Sweater for Charity

Posted on Nov 12, 09 at 7:00AM at celebrity-babies.com


We’re currently loving Ann Taylor’s new look, especially their affordable luxe cashmere sweaters.
For the holidays, the company is going kid-chic with a limited-edition Children’s Cashmere Cardigan ($98).

Not only does the adorable 100% cashmere knit top boast loads of playful details including sparkling buttons and chiffon ruffle trim — it supports a good cause.

Sixty percent of all sales will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Plus, you can go for a mommy and me moment and snap up the matching women’s Cashmere Cardigan ($170).



"Ann Taylor Designs Limited-Edition Children’s Sweater for Charity." Celebrity Baby Blog; People.com. 12 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .

Article: Victoria’s Secret model search names final five

Posted November 13, 2009 By By Anne Bratskeir at Newsday.com

QUICK SUMMARY: Kylie Bisutti, Jamie Lee Darley, Alicia Hall, Tika Iveja and Allison Turner are Victoria's Secret model finalists.


Photo credit: /Michael Nagle | Allison Turner (L), Jamie Lee Darley (2L), Tika Ivezaj (C), Kylie Bisutti (2R) and Alicia Hall (R) celebrate as they survived a round of cuts during Victoria's Secret Angel Bootcamp at Chelsea Piers in New York. (November 11, 2009)

First there were 10 gorgeous Victoria’s Secret model search contest finalists culled from some 20,000 Angel wannabes from across the country all vying to walk winged in what is arguably the most fabled runway show of all time.

A week later, after an Angel boot camp challenge in which the contestants had four minutes to capture the perfect lingerie photograph at Grand Central Station (in the middle of the night), there are five.

Victoria’s Secret supermodel Miranda Kerr broke the good and bad news at Chelsea Piers on Wednesday to a room full of tears…of joy and sadness.

Kerr said that axing five aspiring angels, “Made my heart feel bad.” But she tried to shed a positive light. “I told them not to be disheartened, that they came so far. This is a fresh start and they should embrace the moment. It should change their lives and give them more confidence.”

The five semi-finalists include Kylie Bisutti, 19, from Simi Valley, CA, Jamie Lee Darley, 24, of Carmel, CA, Alicia Hall, 24, of Las Vegas, Tika Iveja, 25, of Detroit, MI, and Allison Turner, 23, of Cape Girardeau, MO have who have fought through the first rounds of bombshell boot camp and have earned the people’s vote. You can vote for your fave at vsallaccess.com.

The Victoria’s Secret runway show goes on November 19, at which time, only two contestants will make the cut. After that, once again it will be your votes that propel one lucky gal to win her wings and earn a spot on the Victoria’s Secret televised fashion show, which runs on CBS, December 1.

Bratskeir, Anne. "Victoria's Secret model search names final five." Newsday - The Long Island and New York City News Source. 13 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .

Article: Check Out The New Victoria's Secret Bra Worth A Whopping $3 Million

Posted Wednesday, 10/21/2009 at 5:08 PM on Glamor.com

As if you needed one more reason to hate Marisa Miller: She looks like the most drop-dead gorgeous girl next door you've ever seen. She travels the world, strutting around in a bikini on exotic beaches for a living. And now, she gets to cover herself in three million dollars worth of diamonds on the Victoria's Secret runway.



Every year, Victoria's Secret debuts a "Fantasy Bra" just in time for the holidays, and one angel gets the honor of wearing it during the televised runway show. This year, Marissa will don a $3 million piece of diamond-encrusted lingerie designed by Damiani (and complete with a 16-carat heart-shaped champagne diamond dangling from between the cups).

Sign up for Glamour.com’s Style Tips of the Week and Beauty Tip of the Day newsletters!

Now I don't mean to get all territorial here about whose goods have worn the most bling, but I've got to tell you dolls...I've got Marisa beat. Back in 2006, I was a reporter at the New York Daily News and I had the unforgettable opportunity write a story about trying on that year's Victoria's Secret fantasy bra, a $6.5 million stunner modeled by Karolina Kurkova. And yes, it was amazing. And yes, it's about the only thing I'll ever be able to gloat to Marisa Miller about (sorry, Marisa).

I asked the VS gals back then if anyone had actually ever purchased one of these babies, and they told me yes, they've sold a few. Can you imagine waking up to this thing under your tree on Christmas morning?! Tell me ladies, what's the most you've ever spent on a bra? Share!

"Check Out The New Victoria's Secret Bra Worth A Whopping $3 Million: Slaves to Fashion: Fashion: glamour.com." Glamour magazine: fashion, beauty, health, sex advice, news: glamour.com. 21 Oct. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .

Article: Ann Taylor's New Heidi Klum Ads - We Take You Behind-the-Scenes

Ann Taylor's New Heidi Klum Ads - We Take You Behind-the-Scenes
Posted Nov 10th 2009 at 11:46PM by Lisa Marsh


Heidi Klum gets the finishing touches on her Ann Taylor holiday campaign shoot. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor

She's a supermodel and reality television star and now, Heidi Klum is the face of the relaunched Ann Taylor's holiday ad campaign.

The photos, shot by the legendary Peter Lindbergh at MILK Studios in Los Angeles, feature the new mom (for the fourth time) in cashmere sweaters, scarves, wearing tons of bling and shopping for gifts.

While the model was a pro, she did issue one edict while on the shoot: "I wear it, I keep it!," the company said.

"We shot cashmere pieces, big jumpers, beautiful scarves, super cozy and chunky fashionable jewelry, in headshot style," Klum said in a release. "It really gives a feeling of luxury, fashion, comfy cozy cashmere with chunky great jewelry."


Klum gets cozy on the set of her Ann Taylor holiday ad campaign. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor

Holiday is the second season for the new Ann Taylor, which was relaunched for fall. "Ann Taylor's new look is very chic, stylish and comfortable," Klum said.

"You can mix and match, high and low. You can find things that work with what you already own. Ann Taylor pieces are easygoing, from the jewelry to the cashmere."

And jewelry is Klum's admitted favorite holiday gift. Actually, she said, "The best gift I got wasn't the gift itself, but how I got it. I woke up and found a beautiful bracelet on my wrist."

Let's hope it was from her husband (Seal).

Don't miss Heidi Klum hosting this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

"Ann Taylor's New Heidi Klum Ads - We Take You Behind-the-Scenes - StyleList." Fashion, Style & Beauty on StyleList. 10 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

Ann Taylor Job Opportunities

Ann Taylor has a great website dedicated to informing you about the history of the brand and possible career opportunities (including a great internship program for merchandising students!). It has an interactive timeline at the bottom of the page with pictures of past advertisements, clothing, and old stores. Also, you can learn about the workplace, what types of associates they seek out, and the benefits you receive while working there.
Check it out: http://www.anntaylorcareers.com/AT_C_brands.html

Packaging

Here's a cool picture I found of some of the old packaging that Victoria's Secret used to use. Today the packaging is usually dark and light pink stripes, like in the second picture, as opposed to the black and white shown in the older picture.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Victoria’ Secret recently launched a nationwide model search for the next "Runway Angel." During the month of October, they had open casting calls in cities across the country as well as online. A select group of judges then chose 10 finalists who were flown to NYC for "Angel Boot Camp." The “boot camp” isn't limited to just working out; finalists will face a series of modeling challenges that will be filmed and air in weekly Webisodes on CBS.com.

The winner will be selected by public vote and walk in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which airs Dec. 1 on CBS. Even though it is too late to participate, you can still vote for who you think should win, and be sure to watch the Fashion Show in a couple weeks!

Here's a link to the first webisode:

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009

History of Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret is a popular American retailer of lingerie, women's wear, and beauty products. It is known for its high quality lingerie, and was popularized by the fashion shows and catalogues, which feature top models.
Victoria's Secret was started in 1977 in San Francisco, California by Roy Raymond. Roy started the store because he felt embarrassed when trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store environment. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center, and quickly followed it with a mail-order catalog and three other stores. The stores were meant to create a comfortable environment for men, with wood-paneled walls, Victorian details, and helpful sales staff. Men could browse the store for styles and the employees would help estimate the appropriate size and retrieve the correct item for the customer.
In 1982, after five years of operations, Roy Raymond sold the company to The Limited. Throughout the remainder of the 1980s, Victoria's Secret was rapidly expanded into many U.S. malls. The company also began to offer a widened range of products, such as shoes, evening wear, and perfumes, with its mail catalog issued eight times annually. By the early 1990s, Victoria's Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars. Victoria's Secret is now attempting to build its image with a fairly conservative, middle-class shopper in mind, avoiding any connotations that lingerie might carry. With over 1,000 stores today Victoria’s Secret continues to be a strong leader in the woman’s lingerie business.

Ann Taylor Loft is a sister brand to Ann Taylor that is geared toward the everyday woman who is looking for a stylish, comfortable look for both work and every day. The first Loft was opened in 1996 as an extension of the original Ann Taylor brand. It offers more relaxed fashions for work and home, in the "upper moderate" priced category, offering style and value to customers.
Richard Liebeskind is the founder of Ann Taylor Stores Corp., which began in 1954. The first Ann Taylor store was opened in New Haven, Connecticut in 1956. The name came from the style of a best selling dress at Liebeskind’s father’s store, the "Ann Taylor”. Liebeskind’s father gave him the dress and the name for good luck. Liebeskin decided to keep the name because “Ann” seemed to be a very good New England name, and “Taylor” evoked the image of tailored clothing. From there, name created the ideal identity of classic woman's apparel which many women relate to to this day.