Award-winning WOW! Events teams with Kraus-Anderson Construction to recreate GLITZ!

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (September 2009) -- WOW! Events by Kraus-Anderson, an award-winning special events boutique has teamed with Kraus-Anderson Construction Company (KA) to create a new theme store at Mall of America. Now open, Glitz! is a new event-oriented retail fashion concept and is believed to be the only one of its kind in the country.  The 4,000-square-foot store's unique theme simulates "Fashion Week in New York"
and includes an 18-foot catwalk with concert lighting, three large flatscreen TVs playing DVDs of prom and pageant designer fashion shows, and 17 speakers pumping out high-energy music.

Glitz's MaryAnne London has worn several hats to conceptualize the New York theme.  In addition to being the store's owner, she is a senior vice president at Kraus-Anderson, which constructed the rebuild; and runs WOW!

Events by Kraus-Anderson, the special events boutique.  WOW! Events this year won two Star awards from the International Special Events Society (ISES) Twin Cities for "Best Non-Profit Event" and "Best Use of Marketing/Graphic Design."

Since 2002, Glitz! has been regarded as the premier store in the Upper Midwest to shop for designer gowns and accessories, including exclusive national-level competition gowns.

Inspired by the thrill of New York's runway fashion shows, London wanted to create the most unique and exciting atmosphere to shop for gowns.

"I love the glamour and excitement of New York fashion market  and hope to recreate a little piece of it at GLITZ!," said London.  "For girls shopping for a prom gown, we hope Glitz! is the epicenter."

The new Glitz!, which is 25 percent larger than the former store, is already one of the top prom stores in America.  Its new theme, design and unique features will only complement its appeal and success.  London worked with Brett Beaudette, visual merchandiser for Mall of America, to design the store.

"We incorporated industrial elements with clean lines to simulate as well as stimulate the New York feel," said Beaudette.  "Galvanized metal, concrete floors and bright white walls helped to create the overall theme, yet enhance the shopper's focus on the unique selection of fashion dresses and fashion show runway events."

To add to its draw, every Saturday during fashion season, Glitz! will be featuring designer trunk shows, with fashion runway shows and informal modeling.  The store's graphics includes scenes of New York nightscapes.

Glitz! also boasts 17 dressing rooms (named Soho, Chelsea, Midtown and Times Square), a dedicated alterations room and a separate accessories area.

Glitz! has its own private labels and carries only boutique designers.  The store is developing a line of custom purses (created by Chicago designer Jessie Senese), garters, shoes and jewelry (created by local designer Michelle Lee), and will be offering monogrammed ties for the guys to match the gowns.

London is no stranger to creating event-oriented retail stores.  She founded the Chapel of Love, also located at MOA, which drew international acclaim for its weddings.

Glitz! is located on MOA's third floor next to Nordstrom.