??maurices Sells Hope Bracelet to Support Partnership With American Cancer Society

Duluth, Minn. - National women's fashion retailer maurices is inviting its customers and the community to join its efforts in supporting the world's largest cancer-fighting fundraiser, The American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life.

As part of the company's mission to help raise awareness and funds for the ACS's ongoing research, education, advocacy and service programs, maurices is selling the 2012 version of its signature Hope Bracelet in all 800+ stores, as well as online now through June 30th, or while supplies last.

Designed exclusively for maurices by fashion designer and stylist Christopher Straub, from Season Six of Lifetime's Project Runway, the Hope Bracelet features silver-tone charms engraved with the message "hope." The bracelets retail for $6, and maurices will contribute a minimum of $3 from each sale toward its fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

This is the eighth year maurices has participated in Relay For Life, the ACS's signature fundraising activity and the largest global cancer-fighting fundraising movement. In addition to its contributions through the sale of Hope Bracelets, maurices will also raise money through its associate and community involvement in Relay For Life events.

During Relay For Life events across the country this spring and summer, maurices associates, executives and customers will work in teams to raise funds and take turns walking or running for 24 hours. Uniting more than 3.5 million people throughout the United States and 20 other countries, these life-changing events celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and make a commitment to fight back against the disease.

"We're grateful to have the continued support of maurices," said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society. "Through sales of the Hope Bracelet, the American Cancer Society will be able to continue the fight for a world with less cancer and more birthdays."

To learn more about maurices or shop online, visit www.maurices.com.

About maurices
maurices
, a division of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA), is the leading hometown specialty store and authority for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a twenty-something attitude. Today, as maurices expands into the Canadian market, it operates more than 800 stores in 44 states. The retailer stands for fashion, quality, value and customer service. maurices' styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size.

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Duluth, Minn. - Online voters have narrowed maurices Main Street Model Search from more than 1,400 contestants to the top 100 who will advance to the next phase of the contest.

These 100 women will compete to be among 12 finalists chosen to model for maurices, a national young women's clothing retailer, in upcoming fall, holiday and spring campaigns. The winners will receive a photo shoot at an iconic fashion shoot destination and national exposure at maurices locations, www.maurices.com, mailers and social media. They will also be awarded a $1,500 maurices gift card and a $7,500 charitable makeover for a nonprofit in their hometowns.

People can visit www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com to view the top 100 contestants' profiles.

"We are very pleased with the voter turnout for the second year of maurices Main Street Model Search. With more than 128,800 voters, participation was up almost three-fold from last year," said Brad Hartmann, maurices vice president of marketing. "We hope the selected models are as excited as we are to move on to the next stage of our contest."

Each of the top 100 contestants will create a video about why they should be a maurices Main Street Model. maurices will then choose 20 of these women to attend a casting call in Minneapolis, Minn., the week of April 16. A judging panel from maurices, including a celebrity judge and stylist Christopher Straub from Lifetime's "Project Runway," will select the 12 winners, who will be announced on April 23.

For more information, visit maurices.com, facebook.com/maurices or mauricesmainstreetmodel.com.


maurices Main Street Model Search 2012 Timeline

Video submission: March 20 - 27
The top 100 contestants create and submit videos that about why they should be a maurices Main Street Model.

Introducing the top 20: April 2
Judging panel reveals the top 20 contestants.

Casting call: Week of April 16
Top 20 finalists are brought to Minneapolis, Minn., for a casting call with a panel of judges that includes Christopher Straub from Season Six of Lifetime's "Project Runway."

And the winners are: April 23
maurices will introduce the 12 winners of maurices Main Street Model Search 2012.


About maurices
maurices, a division of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA), is the leading hometown specialty store and authority for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a twenty-something attitude. Today, maurices operates 800 stores in 44 states. maurices stands for fashion, quality, value and customer service. Offering sizes 1-26 in select stores and online, our styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size. For store information and to shop online, visit maurices.com.

 

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