Columnist Muriel Stevens: Saks gives assistance to charity

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 | 8:27 a.m.

For the third year, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America will join forces to promote what they have dubbed "serious shopping for a serious cause."

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Shopping Weekend will take place Oct. 18-21 at each of Saks Fifth Avenue 62 stores across the country, as well as at the 50 OFF 5th outlet stores.

In Las Vegas, Saks Fifth Avenue is at the Fashion Show mall; OFF 5th is at the Belz Factory Outlet World on Warm Springs Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Funds raised through this outstanding effort will benefit local and national breast cancer charities. Locally, the Las Vegas chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will receive 2 percent of sales made at a special shopping spree during the four-day shopping weekend.

In New York, where the big-ticket action will take place, the display windows at Saks Fifth Avenue will showcase the one-of-a-kind T-shirts designed by such CFDA fashion luminaries as Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Caroline Herrera.

Bids for these special tees and a host of exclusive items can be made by logging on to saks.com. All of the proceeds will be donated to FTBC.

Dozens of high-end items will be part of the charity auction taking place through Oct. 30, but the good news is that Danskin is underwriting the cost of the $25 logo T-shirt so that all proceeds from sales can go to the charity.

This year's design is a 3/4-sleeve white T-shirt embellished with navy blue topstitching and the FTBC logo on the arm. It will be available at the Fashion Show Saks throughout the four-day shopping weekend.

Among the special events taking place here:

* Oct. 18, Saks Fifth Avenue and Fletcher Jones Imports will host a private shopping evening to kick off the weekend. Mercedes-Benz is the angel underwriting this special three-hour shopping spree.

* On Oct. 19, from noon-4 p.m., Sharon Sorenson, author of "Living With Breast Cancer," will sign copies of her book. By appointment only (call 733-8300, ext. 362 or 364), complimentary survivor makeovers and consultations are offered.

* From Oct. 19-21 the Susan G. Komen Foundation booth will offer information and refreshments by Marie Callender's.

Throughout the store there will be opportunities to meet vendor reps and take advantage of what organizers call "gifts with purchase."

I like what Christina Johnson, president and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, had to say about Saks' participation: "The majority of Saks Fifth Avenue's customers, associates and executives are women, and I think it is particularly fitting that we are engaged in fighting a disease that poses such an enormous threat to women's health and all too often, to women's lives."

For more information about the New York event call (888) 771-2323. To learn more about what will be happening at Saks at the Fashion Show call 733-8300.

Nordstrom Rack: More next week about Nordstrom Rack, reader's comments and the long-awaited response from "the spokesperson."