WINGS FLIGHT OF FASHION

Most Meaningful Fashion Show in the Twin Cities to Feature

Stylist Grant Whittaker, 45 Looks from 18 Local Boutiques and Designers,

and an Exclusive Lipstick

April 4 at Loring Pasta Bar

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Minneapolis (March 25, 3013) --- Greater Twin Cities United Ways Women Investing in the Next Generation (WINGs) will host the 5^th annual Flight of Fashion event on April 4, 2013 from 5:30 8:30 p.m. at Loring Pasta Bar in Minneapolis (327 14^th Ave. SE). The stylish event will be a mix of fashion and philanthropy, featuring world-class style with a hometown focus.

Proceeds of the event will go to the WINGs program which helps women and their families establish financial stability to overcome poverty. WINGs is committed to investing in women, giving them the tools to succeed personally and professionally. The groups motto is helping the community and your career take flight.

WINGs Flight of Fashion will be produced by Minneapolis-based style expert Grant Whittaker, who will also emcee the show with Allison Kaplan from MPLS St. Paul Magazine. Whittaker promises the show will be global with a Parisian flair, a salute to 1930s Chanel couture.

Metro area boutiques and designers providing the runway looks will include: Ann Lambrecht, Arrow Minneapolis, Bombshell Boutique, Corset, Emma Berg, Etcetera, Fashion Avenue, Gretchen Ventura, Grethen House, Hat Trix, Joynoelle, June, Karma, Lindsay Hopkins, Rags from Riches, Stephanie Lake, Sun and Moon Jewelry, and Uptown Vision Contact.

Talent from Vision Model Group will strut on the catwalk in 45 outfits to the tunes of DJ Loveless from Blackheart Burlesque. The show will present muted prints and neons, nautical and floral designs, French grain fabric, and bold jewelry. All items will be available for purchase either in store or with the designers.

Chemist Karoline Wells of The Elixery, an artisan cosmetic house located in Minneapolis, has created a custom lipstick for WINGs Flight of Fashion called Take Flight.

VIPs will receive this one-of-a-kind sheer, neutral pink lipstick in their swag bag. It will also be available to purchase at the show for $20 with proceeds going to WINGs.

Tickets are $85 for VIP (includes premier seating and exclusive WINGs lipstick), $50 in advance, and $60 at the door. For tickets, more information about the event and details about WINGs, visit www.unitedwaytwincities.org/fof.

Other highlights of the event will include the WINGs Flight of Fashion Makeover and Raffle.

WINGs program participant from Lifetrack, Heidi Becker, has been chosen to be the lucky recipient of a makeover from Whittaker. Prior to the event, Whittaker will whisk Becker to the Ritz Theater where she will have her hair and make-up done by Haus Salon. Whittaker will then style her with an outfit from Grethen House. Becker, mother of an 18-year-old daughter who is also in the WINGs program, has been working a low-wage collection job with no opportunities for advancement. She commutes from outside the metro to attend school twice a week in hopes of getting a well-paying job. A video of Beckers makeover extravaganza will be shown at Flight of Fashion as she reveals her makeover look.

For only $20 per ticket, guests can purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning one of two fantastic prizes: a Grant Whittaker Glamazon experience and a 16 GB iPad Mini complete with a custom case created by the St. Paul-based luxury leather craftspeople at J.W. Hulme Company.

The Glamazon prize winners VIP Day will begin when Whittaker arrives at their door in a new Bentley provided by Twin Cities Luxury Auto. Whittaker will then whisk them off for a day of shopping and styling. The first stop will be to Haus Salon for a red carpet ready hair-do and make-up treatment including a consultation for what might be a new color, texture or tone update for their look. Whittaker will then indulge them in a leisurely lunch to discuss personal style needs addressing their wardrobe, fashion concerns, trends and style icons. After the homework is complete, the two will hop back in the Bentley for a trip to some of Grant's favorite finds in the Twin Cities to meet the winners needs and budget.

The WINGs Flight of Fashion event is not only for a great cause, it will also boast a runway show fashionistas wont want to miss, says United Way WINGs Chair Stephanie England. Well have fresh styles from local renowned designers and boutiques showcasing the newest spring fashions. Moreover, all proceeds of the event will benefit WINGs-supported programs here in the metro, which help empower women to overcome poverty. Its clear why we call Flight of Fashion the most meaningful fashion show in the Twin Cities.

Sponsors of the event include BMO Harris Bank and Target. Media Partners are MPLS. St. Paul Magazine and myTalk107.1. Event Partners are The Elixery, Haus Salon, and the Minnesota Lynx.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way addresses our communitys most critical issues by focusing on three key areas: Basic Needs, Education and Health. We attack poverty on multiple, interconnected fronts to achieve lasting change through 10 measurable goals by collaborating with business, government and nonprofit organizations to create solutions and carry out our call to action to LIVE UNITED by encouraging everyone to Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

United Way serves people living in or near poverty in nine counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington.

Join the movement. LIVE UNITED. For more information, visit www.unitedwaytwincities.org or call 612-340-7400.

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Molly Mulvehill Steinke

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Nemer Fieger

952 278 3142 direct

612 309 1677 mobile

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