Glamazons,
The Fashion industry knows when to party. In a glorious attempt to revive the industry in a recession, Vogue, NYC & Company and CFDA are hosting a series of star-studded events called Fashion's Night Out (FNO) on September 10th. The idea started as a celebration where shoppers can interact with the famous faces behind their brand of choice. FNO has since become the largest shopping event in NYC's history with hundreds of stores offering discounts, parties and celeb-driven fetes. Vogue's EIC, Anna Wintour, shared her excitement about the host of retailers, style icons and celebrities (including Diddy and the Olsen twins) that are participating in the event:
“Little did I think when the idea of Fashion’s Night Out was first dreamed up this past March during the Paris collections that we would have over 700 and counting retailers, designers, and brands joining us on the night of September 10,” she shared. “Of course, I’ve always known the New York fashion industry to rise brilliantly to a challenge, but I am absolutely thrilled, awed, and more than a little proud that it has reacted so brilliantly to this initiative. There is so much planned that we could shop till dawn and still not see and do everything.”
FNO's extravagant retail events are sure to revitalize consumerism as shoppers will be more likely to buy a Billionaire Boy's Club shirt if Pharrell is working the register (seriously, he will be ringing up clothes that night!) or a Chanel handbag that they can...gasp...custom-design! To help navigate the long list of participating stores, Racked.com came up with a top-ten list. Check it out (below) and hit Fashion Night's Out facebook and twitter page (@FNOnyc) for updates. And you know the Glamazons will be on hand to cover the celebration! See you at H&M or Juicy or Barney's or Chanel (ahhh...too many places to go in just one night!).
Top Ten Events During Fashion's Night Out On September 10 (via Racked.com):
10. Rag & Bone
Guys, this is for you: Rag & Bone will turn their Christopher Street store into an Irish Pub, complete with free beer, a sawdust floor, and a live Irish band. We might just end up calling it a night here. 100 Christopher Street.
9. Adam Lippes
Not content to party until 11pm, Adam's Meatpacking store will stay open until 1am with free cocktails. He'll also have special edition personalized T-shirts for sale, and in case you've missed them thus far—the Havaianas customizing crew! All proceeds from the sale of the Havaianas will go to the 9/11 fund. 678 Hudson Street.
8. H&M
Even though all area H&Ms will stay open late, it's the Herald Square store that'll celebrate the most. Surrender yourself to their stylist and then pose for their "celebrity photographer." Your photo will then be projected onto their big billboard overlooking the Meatpacking District. 1328 Broadway.
7. Kirna Zabete
It's Kirna's 10th anniversary, so they'll be celebrating double-time by bringing in Narciso Rodriguez, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu, and Peter Som to debut their exclusive items for Kirna. Want to snap up a Wu sketch or a Proenza Schouler tote bag? This is the place to do it. 96 Greene Street.
6. Juicy Couture
With Anna at Macy's, it's only proper that Hamish Bowles be at Juicy, right? He'll be at their Fifth Avenue flagship to read from the works of Noel Coward as shoppers lounge in a "gentleman’s club, reminiscent of founder Gela Nash-Taylor’s eccentric English manor (featured in Vogue’s September issue)." 650 Fifth Avenue.
5. Chanel
Actually hosting two large events at different stores, Chanel will cater to both the rich and the poor. At 139 Spring Street, they'll debut the jade nail polish with free mini-manicures and a DJ set by Alexa Chung. Meanwhile at 15 East 57th Street, for the first time ever, Chanel will have a create-your-own-handbag studio. "Choose your favorite lambskin color, lining, hardware, and chain—and be among the first in the United States to own a customized, monogrammed Chanel classic bag." Oh yes, and there will be champagne of course.
4. Bergdorf Goodman
If this doesn't get you to BG, then nothing will: Andre Leon Talley hosting a fashion game show with "teams led by Donna Karan, Linda Fargo, and Robert Verdi." Also, Annie Leibovitz will be around, Padma Lakshmi will host a cook-off with Cynthia Rowley and Peter Som, Zac Posen will be selling his paintings, Alexander Wang will drop in and Isaac Mizrahi will hold a talk. This is some crazy shiz right here; make sure to jot down the exact times for the event you most want to see. 754 Fifth Avenue.
3. Alice + Olivia
Right alongside the Fashion Week tents in Bryant Park, the Alice + Olivia boutique will become a photo studio, with auditions to be a model in the Alice + Olivia presentation the following week. Hopefuls won't be left to their own devices either; they'll get pro hairstyling, makeup and wardrobe styling before stepping in front of the camera. Here's something for the resume. 80 West 40th Street
2. Opening Ceremony
In the spirit of Chinatown, OC will take their celebration to the streets, with special-edition items sold out of the backs of vintage automobiles (example: a Thai truck sporting Band of Outsiders gear). In addition, you'll able to meet and greet with the designers behind Rodarte, Band of Outsiders, Proenza Schoulder, Fendi, and of course Alexander Wang. Munch on food from neighborhood restaurants and enjoy DJ sets by "friends" of Opening Ceremony. 35 Howard Street.
1. Barneys
As expected, Barneys will be killing it during Fashion's Night Out, hosting such famous faces as the Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen bartending, Isabel Toledo, Alexander Wang for runway lessons, Juan Carlos Obando teaching salsa and more. Oh yea, and they'll be teaching knitting and hosting a fashion green market curated by Vogue editor Tonne Goodman. There's too much to list here; click above for all the details. 660 Madison Avenue.
Coutura
Photos: Style.com.