FASHION'S NIGHT OUT
Fashion’s Night Out, the much-anticipated annual event in which shoppers, bloggers, designers, retailers, photographers, and editors alike take to the streets to shop, party, and celebrate fashion all night long is getting even bigger. Courtesy of our fearless fashion leader Anna Wintour, (she created the big night in 2009 to boost retail in a slumping economy) FNO events have been popping up across the nation from Charleston, SC to Kansas City, MO. Not only is FNO the biggest party to kickoff fall/winter New York Fashion Week, it’s a fashion ‘holiday’ that connects the industry no matter where you are celebrating. It’s kind of like the New Year’s of fashion—the party gets bigger the more people you know are joining in!
Fellas made sure their pocket squares were looking crisp while Gals overdid their makeup in celebration of, you guessed it, Fashion's Night Out.
Instead of night clubs, elite fashion houses were the highlight of the city last Thursday, September 8th. Salvatore Ferragamo was the spot to be on 5th Avenue this year, while posting a 'Private party' sign outside. All the normal people were lined outside, trying to get a peek of what was happening beyond those walls, as we tippy-toed past security.
Inside, champagne and house pomegranate cocktails were flying. Accompanied by tuna tartare hors d'oeuvres about the size of a cigarette.There were also many other interesting different finger foods, one of which even included foie gras in a flaky pastry. The best bite of the night had to be the red velvet balls. They were so delicious, you probably could've found yourself fighting for the last one with Sports Illustrated super model Jessica Hart...
Local restaurants and businesses were not to be left out of the fun during this year's Fashion Night Out in NYC. Many even paired up with large brands for FNO festivities offering delicious snacks & drinks to partygoers. Hope you shared the love with some of the city's favorite small businesses:
GUESS teamed up with NYC's original dessert truck CupcakeStop at their Midtown and SoHo locations. The truck handed out over 1000 cupcakes from 6-10 pm to excited shoppers who also enjoyed mini-manicures and makeovers at the store.
As everyone is gearing up for what will be another season of celebrating fashion, New York City leaders are pulling out all the big guns, and boast that this year will be "one to remember." Mayor Michael Bloomberg teamed up with a long list of celebrities, artists, designer retailers, and fashion icons to produce a series of events that will take place Thursday September 8th, 2011 [Note: Dates and Times may differ for some locations] throughout NYC between 6:00pm- 11:00pm.
According to the Official Web page for Fashion's Night Out, proceeds from Thursday night will go towards the New York AIDS Fund. For those of you on a budget here is some good news: The all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta will be providing a free cab service between Midtown Manhattan and Soho during 5:00pm-12:00am for shoppers who present proof of receipt from any of the participating registered Fashions Night Out retail locations.
Buzz for (yet) another exciting Fashion’s Night Out event was released this week. If there is any free space left on your September 8th agenda, we highly recommend stopping by Realm, one of our favorite SoHo boutiques, who will be hosting a serious roster of femme fatales. Fashion “bloggettes” Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller and Susie Lau of Style Bubble, DJ Chelsea Leyland, and singer-songwriter Lissy Trullie will all be making an appearance throughout the evening from 6-11p.m. As admirers of all senses of style present, we’re excited to hear that these special guests will be helping shoppers style Realm merchandise! Designer collections from Jean Claude Jitrois, Thierry Mugler, and Alexis Mabille will all be up for grabs accompanied by sartorial advice from the above. Owner Randi Jacobson on this year's line-up, "We are thrilled to have such great girls join Realm for FNO this year - such an exciting mix of modern style icons for us all!" We already know Realm throws a great party based on last year’s FNO appearance by Blake Lively. It’s becoming more and more difficult to manage our schedules for next Thursday – but we know this is one party not to be missed!
GANT; the name probably rings a bell as a trusted, quality clothes maker, but what you may not know is just how multi-faceted the company is. Now in its 60th year of existence there is more than just the infamous GANT by Michael Bastian, there is also GANT Ruggers. Described as being for the younger crowd it is definitely worth getting to know.
This season is marked by the GANT Rugger XXIV Hour Session, a video filmed over a twenty-four hour period documenting fall’s best new looks. The line is noted for its classic pieces that maintain a contemporary feeling, such as tweed blazers and waist-coats; along with cashmere cardigans and beautiful toggle jackets .
With Fashion Week fast approaching, we are starting to get very restless! To add to the excitement, Fashion's Night Out has finally revealed the list of retailers that will be participating in the 2011 shopping spectacular! Over 900 stores in the NYC area will be open the night of September 8th, 2011, inviting shoppers from all over to come shop and mingle with tons of celebrities, designers, and stars. The best fashion party in history is just weeks away! Start planning your night now online or with FNO's app for Iphone and Android.
Hi Joonbuggers!
A quick welcome to my new weekly column (and that was it if you missed it) and now lets get down to business.
And business it was last week especially for all the stores that participated in Fashion's Night Out, but more of that in a minute, first I want to talk about the sharp end of fashion week, the shows. I kicked off this season by taking a strut down to West Broadway to check out the new collection from Prince Peter, that cheeky little character talent who seems always to hang with the hippest and best looking people on the planet. As usual his show was full of great looking things draped in his designs and the liquor was free-flowing and plentiful which was a result for me because I then got a chance to eat it off by going in to see my old mate Kevin, the Maitre D at Balthazar which was, needless to say, filled to the brim as usual .
As if New York City residents weren’t dedicated enough towards the demand of 24/7 stylish concoctions, on September 10 it was the 2nd Annual city-wide fete Fashion’s Night Out, anchored by fashion heavyweights and supported by stores staying open past their bed-time. Out of the grab bag of fun activities that included makeovers, karaoke in front of the Olsen Twins, and impromptu photo shoots, over at Eileen Fisher, lively shoppers were given the chance to be the central figure at any party: the DJ. Eileen Fisher hosted DJ mini-lessons, courtesy of the non-profit organization Ladies Rock Camp (in conjunction with the Willie Mae Rock Camp). With two tables complete with full-on equipment and plenty of vinyls around, for ten minutes or so, you were taught how to scratch, mix and cross fade with effects. Yours truly was the first to do so among the many fashionistas running about West Broadway in SoHo.
Amongst the pink leather handbags, shoulder-hugging tops, cases of neon watches and fall-edition button-up coats, on a stage in the back, underneath the spray-painted moose hanging on the wall, behind the DJ booth, sat a black grand piano and a lone stool surrounded by three acoustic guitars pre-tuned for Metric to perform at the Juicy Couture flagship store on Friday September 10th for the much anticipated Fashion's Night Out.
As the DJ's puffing and pulsing came to a lull, and the crowd of Metric fans and curious shoppers huddled around the low-key, intimate stage, lead singer Emily Haines and guitarist Jim Shaw ascended and smiled, nodding to the crowd, Emily snagging the microphone, Jim the guitar.
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