Tori Spelling announces a winner at the Transformation Nation Fall Fashion Show presented by Kohl's and Condé Nast Media Group. Photo by Pamela Véliz

In keeping up with their theme of the night, Kohl’s transformed the Santa Monica Pier into a carnival-style runway during their Transformation Nation Fall Fashion Show on Thursday, October 12, hosted by “So NoTORIous” star Tori Spelling and MTV-VJ-turned-fashion-designer Daisy Fuentes, with live music provided by Sugar Ray.

In addition to revealing their new fall styles, the department store also announced the winner of their Transformation Nation Essay Contest, in which people were asked to write about the most important transformation in their lives.  Ten winners were chosen to receive model treatment, walk the runway, and get pampered with a four-day, three night trip to L.A. 

The grand prize winner, Jacquelyn Lehmkuhl from St. Cloud, Minn., won a $10,000 Kohl’s shopping spree and a trip for two to Paris for her essay that described how a car accident that left her a paraplegic at 17 years old inspired her to pursue college and start a family despite her disability.

“You have no idea what this means to her!” Kathy Breuer, Lehmkuhl’s sister, exclaimed in tears upon the announcement of the winner.

Other stars who attended the show included actresses Lauren Holly, Brooke Burns, Vivica A. Fox, Virginia Madsen, actor Clifton Collins, Jr, and soul singer Angie Stone.

Event attendees enjoyed carnival games, a fashion palm reader, and delicious Hamptons-style snacks that included a caramel apple martini, mini hamburgers and fish & chips, Maryland crab cakes, and indulgent chocolate cupcakes and mini vanilla ice cream cones.

While guests got their “Wack-a-Mole” game on, models styled by “America’s Next Top Model” judge, Nolé Marin, showed off Kohl’s upcoming fall trends set to the tune of everyone from Madonna to Gnarls Barkley to Aerosmith, courtesy of DJ Pesce.

Sugar Ray rocked the crowd of fashionistas and modern moms, while Daisy Fuentes danced with the contest finalists.

More information can be found at www.kohls.com, and www.transformationnation.com.