Charleston, S.C.—The Third Annual Shopping With Friends for Lowcountry AIDS Services is creating not only a buzz here in Charleston, but on a national level as well, adding first time national retail stores and support from the nation’s culinary and fashion elite.

Approximately, two months before the event, 126 of our finest stores have signed on to be this year’s Red Ribbon Retailers, including for the first time national stores— J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Urban Outfitters, Nine West, United Colors of Benetton and Lucky Brand Jeans. But it is not just retailers jumping in support of this amazing Charleston shopping event, Lafayette 148 designer Edward Wilkerson is coming to Charleston to do a special showing of his new line at the Saks Fifth Avenue kick-off party on Friday, December 8, AND donating a percentage of sales directly to Lowcountry AIDS Services. While, renowned fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi has created an original signed Shopping With Friends sketch that will be one of this year’s featured auction item.

Allure Magazine (the Beauty Experts!) is returning to Charleston this year, co-hosting the Shopping With Friends brunch with Charleston Magazine, Lacoste and the Renaissance Hotel.  Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, Art Smith, will be there to greet the guests and sign copies of his newest book.  Conde-Nast Traveler is offering a fabulous spa getaway to be auctioned off for the cause as well.

Shopping With Friends, scheduled for Saturday, December 9th, will kick off the festivities on Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue.  Everyone is welcome to come shop while they savor the cuisine of Cru Café and sample the wines generously provided by Whole Foods Market.  10% of all sales will be donated to Lowcountry AIDS Services.  A tower of surprise gifts with purchase -- including everything from the newest fragrances to
Saks Fifth Avenue gift cards -- will make the shopping experience even more exciting!

Saturday, December 9th, from 9 to Noon at the Charleston Renaissance Hotel, is the place to be for the most amazing brunch of the season.  Guests will enjoy a full brunch catered by the Renaissance Hotel chefs, complete with Bloody Marys and Mimosas.  Allure Magazine and StellaNova Salon will be providing complimentary mini-massage, manicures and eyebrow shaping for all guests. 

Five once in a lifetime auction packages will be offered including a New York fashion weekend – a two night stay at the flagship Renaissance Hotel at Times Square, two tickets to the national Lacoste fashion show, and a hair and beauty makeover for two at the world renowned Frederick Fekkai Salon!  Prefer to stay right here in Charleston?  How about a shopping spree at our finest Red Ribbon Retailers that includes all of this season’s hottest items personally selected for you by Charleston Magazine’s style editor Ayoka Lucas.  Everyone leaves with their own Ultimate Goodie Bag that includes over $70 worth of fabulous products and services – all for the ticket price of $45!

Saturday, December 9th is the perfect day to complete your holiday shopping. Make your purchases at any of our Red Ribbon Retailers and 10% of every dollar you spend will be donated directly to Lowcountry AIDS  Services. 
But, new this year is a special bonus for our shoppers.  Pick up your Shopping With Friends Drivers Licence provided by ClearChannel and The Drive 100.5   Make three purchases more $50 at any of our Red Ribbon Retailers, and you can claim your complimentary Starbucks coffee drink and a sumptuous cupcake from Cupcake on Upper King Street.  Make your fourth purchase and head to StellaNova to pick up your free copy of Allure editor-in-chief Linda Welles’ new book of beauty.  Your fifth purchase earns you a Lacoste cap in an exclusive color not available anywhere in the country.

Co-founder of the event, Karen Siegel, has been a driving force in taking Shopping With Friends to a new level.  “Two years ago we started the first Shopping With Friends with a founding committee of 15 local retailers and a great deal of hope.  Today, we have over 100 stores, and the support of both national and local media.  Thanks to their generosity, every penny that is raised during this event goes directly to LAS for client services and prevention education.  As a “recovering Yankee” all I can say is that I am truly proud to call Charleston home.”

South Carolina ranks 9th in the nation per capita for newly infected HIV/ADS cases.  In its first two years, Shopping With Friends has raised over $150,000 for Lowcountry AIDS Services.  Bradley Childs, executive director of L.A.S. says, “Twenty years after the onset of this epidemic, it is still growing.  But funding for patient care and preventive education continue to be cut every year.  Shopping With Friends provides our agency with desperately needed funds used for medication, housing and dental services – all literally life sustaining services for our Lowcountry clients living with HIV/AIDS.

LAS is a nonprofit 501C3 social service agency serving people infected with HIV/AIDS in the Tri-County area.  LAS provides case management, support groups, financial assistance, legal services, and education to more than 700 clients annually.  For more information on LAS or Shopping With Friends, or to purchase tickets to the December 9th brunch, visit www.aids-services.com or call 843-747-CARE.

Contact: Vladia Jurcova/Sherrie Bakshi
843-345-3275/843-906-2579
vladia@styleepr.com/sherrie@styleepr.com
www.styleepr.com