Ann Taylor and Kate Hudson to Debut Capsule Collection

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Taylor is thrilled to announce that award-winning actress Kate Hudson will return as ambassador of its spring and summer 2013 campaigns. This year, Hudson's role will take on more importance and she will serve in a larger capacity, as both a design influence and charitable ambassador.   For the summer collection, she will be developing a capsule collection for the brand.  In addition, she will join the Advisory Council for the company's ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative, a program that supports the empowerment of young women.

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The spring 2013 ad campaign was shot by famed fashion photographer Norman Jean Roy at Milk Studios in Los Angeles. Debuting in early February, the campaign features Hudson wearing inspired bold mix of vibrant colors, modern florals and graphic prints. She instantly connected with the season's looks including many of the dresses from the collection, wearing them with confidence and natural style. "I'm a dress girl through and through," Hudson said.

"Working with Ann Taylor has been a great creative experience and there is a really wonderful connection. Putting these outfits together has been incredibly fun – they have such youthful energy and flair!" Hudson said. "I got to dance on a treadmill wearing some amazing dresses and heels while being photographed in front a giant digital screen when we shot this new campaign."

As part of the relationship, Hudson will make her first foray into fashion design as she collaborates with Creative Director Lisa Axelson on the summer capsule. Planned for May, the limited edition capsule is inspired by Hudson's chic red carpet style, recreated and brought to life for everyday occasions.

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Kate Hudson," said Lisa Axelson, Creative Director at Ann Taylor. "Her confident spirit inspires us. She lives the many roles in her life with such chic, effortless style."

Broadening her role with the brand, Hudson, a long time advocate for empowering young women, will also serve on the ANNpower Advisory Council. The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative provides leadership skills to young women, empowering them to affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders.

All items featured in the spring 2013 campaign will be available in late February in Ann Taylor stores nationwide and on www.anntaylor.com. The summer capsule collection will be available in May.

About Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor defines what it means to be chic, smart and sophisticated. Always relevant, always stylish—Ann Taylor offers beautiful, refined, wear-now pieces designed for how women live today. Ann Taylor operates 280 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 ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative

The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative is a groundbreaking partnership between ANN INC. and Vital Voices Global Partnership to empower young women from across the U.S. with the leadership skills they need to affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders. The ANNpower Advisory Council was announced at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative as a "Commitment to Action" and is comprised of influential women in media, business, and entertainment who have displayed exceptional leadership. Members of the ANNpower Advisory Council review, score, and recommend outstanding grant proposals as well as serve as mentors to the Fellows and ambassadors of the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative to the public.

The nationwide search is currently open for this year's ANNpower Fellows who embody the skills to be tomorrow's leaders. Fifty Fellows will be identified amid girls who are rising high school juniors and seniors with the potential to be among the next generation of women leaders. Chosen Fellows will receive leadership training and mentorship by prominent women leaders from around the world at the 2013 ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum on April 1-4 in Washington, D.C.  If you know a girl who wants to change the world, please encourage them to apply to become an ANNpower Fellow at ANNpower.org. Applications are now being accepted until January 25, 2013.

SOURCE Ann Taylor