Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fashion's Night Out

In order to contend for your hard earned dollars, stores are pulling out all the stops this year for Fashion’s Night Out!

With over a 1,300 stores participating this year, it can be overwhelming. With so many parties, there is no longer any reason to go to store just because they are open late and have a DJ. Most stores have discounts, giveaways, gifts with purchase, live performances or fashion shows, raffles, food, games, pampering, booze, music, and celeb sightings!

I know this list looks long, but I literally sifted through over 800 of the options (sorry boroughs, I only researched Manhattan stores that had at least a couple of the above listed attributes) and this is the best of the best for the night. Skip to the sections that apply to you.

Also, you can go to http://www.fashionsnightout.com/ to create your own itinerary with maps! This site is awesome and you can find more information on what each store is offering, search by neighborhood, category of products, type of party, etc. On your marks, get set, SHOP!

Best Celeb Sightings
* Ne-Yo will be at Alejandro Ingelmo
* Pharrell Williams will be on hand at his store, Billionaire Boys Club 
* Rosario Dawson will be at Bottega Veneta
* Matthew Settle will be the guest bartender at Brunello Cucinelli (plus Kesté pizza and Moretti beer).
* Sip cocktails with Kelly Rowland at Cesare Pacotti
* Supermodel Naomi Campbell will be at Dolce & Gabbana and there will be a dance performance choreographed by Laurie Ann Gibson
* Camilla Belle will be on hand to style your look at David Yurman
* Molly Sims and the author of Recessionistas, Alexandra Lebenthal, will be at Judith Leiber
* The Olsen Twins will be behind the cash register at Elizabeth and James plus popcorn, tarot card reading and henna tattoos.
* Tim Gunn will be “making it work” at Kate Spade
* Sarah Silverman will be bringing the funny at MAC Cosmetics
* Singer Cassie will be hosting with Nicole Miller
* Selma Blair and Helena Christensen will be at Stella McCartney with musical performances, cocktails, raffle prizes and gift with purchase!
* Leighton Meester and other celebs will be at Roger Vivier to celebrate the exclusive preview of 5 new scents.  Plus there will be champagne, hors d’oeuvres, live music AND feel good because part of the proceeds will benefit the New York AIDS Fund.
* Olivia Palermo will be styling your look at Henri Bendel

Live Performances
* Balenciaga will have a live performance from Karen Elson (produced by husband Jack White)
*Joss Stone will perform at the 675 Fifth Avenue location of Nine West. Plus, the first 99 guests who donate a pair of previously loved shoes to Soles4Souls will receive a Nine West gift card.
* At the 667 Madison location of Kenneth Cole, Idina Menzel will perform.
* Fashion Giant, Andre Leon Talley will be at Ralph Lauren at 379 West Broadway while champagne is served and Janelle Monae performs!

Celebrity Designers
* Kenneth Cole locations will have the designer on-site, customize your own tees, music, and limited edition items.
* Kirna Zabete has a slew of celebrity designers, all launching exclusive products!
* Payless ShoeSource will have guest designers Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Patricia Fields and Isabel Toledo in the store for photo-ops!
* Rachel Zoe will be at the Piperlime pop-up store at 93 Mercer Street. I die.
* At the 597 Fifth Avenue location of Sephora, you will find Kat Von D and Josie Maran!

Preggers, but Still Love Fashion?
* Destination Maternity will be hosted by Supermodel Heidi Klum and they will be serving “mocktails!”
* The Upper Breast Side (seriously, I didn't make up that name) has shopping incentives for the fall season, snacks, music and gift bags.

Trying to Convince your Fella to Join You?
* Lord & Taylor will have the New York Jets Cheerleaders welcoming guests. But don’t worry ladies, the FDNY Calendar Men will be there too!
* The Men’s Store at Bloomingdales will be transformed into a 1920’s casino to celebrate the upcoming HBO series Boardwalk Empire. This will be a very cool event with blackjack tables furnished by Caesar’s Atlantic City and the stars of the show, including Steve Buscemi, roaming the casino!

Getting Hitched?
* Michael Aram and NewlyWish will have many wedding vendors participating in this event.
* Join Reem Acra for cocktails and sweets. Other wedding resources will be there as well.
* Vera Wang will be signing books, there will be giveaways and special offers, plus a DJ and dancing!

Boys Who Like Boys who Like Fashion!
* Sexy Tom Ford will be at the Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store 
* GANT will feature a lacrosse themed window display featuring real lacrosse players taking their post-game shower LIVE in the Fifth Avenue window!!
* The new Limelight Marketplace will have celebrity drag queens, go-go dancers, vodka and shopping deals all night, hosted by Next Magazine.

Beauty Treatments
Because who doesn’t like to look pretty while they shop (and get pampered for free)!
* Armani Fifth Avenue will feature complimentary makeovers (supermodel Bar Refaeli will be there too).
* Aveda Stores are offering complimentary makeup touch-ups, hairstyling, and giveaways.
* Beyond 7 is offering mini-makeovers and serving cocktails while giving away product.
*Bibhu Nail Salon is offering a free polish change with other freebies (part of the party at the Plaza).
* Free haircuts and a Bachelor Auction at COACD x The Blind Barber
* Maria Bonita Salon & Spa is offering a ton of complimentary spa services, hairstyling, mini-manicures, gift bags, and more.
* Get a free consultation and 20% off products at Phyto
* Free bang cuts, hairstyling and makeup touch-ups at Shampoo Ave B Salon, plus product giveaways, cocktails, music and gift certificates to all who pop-in!

Early Bird gets the Worm - Stores offering a gift for the first guests
A good overcommitter knows how to plot out his/her course in order to get the most out a night!
* Adidas at 610 Broadway will be offering a free yoga class and free yoga mat for the first 40 guests signed-up (must RSVP).
Anthropologie at 75 Ninth Avenue will have complementary tote-bags (featuring sketches by Jim Deneven) for the first 100 guests.
* The first 50 guests at BCBGMAZAZARIA locations will receive a Runway Survival Kit.
* Maybelline New York is participating in the Meatpacking Block Party and offering a free limited edition make-up bag for the first 50 consumers.
* The first 100 guests at Redken ( the 565 Fifth Avenue location) will receive a full size blow-dry gel & mini finishing spray-wax.
* The first 100 customers to purchase the Harajuku Lovers newest fragrance collection at the 555 Broadway location of Sephora will get a bottle signed by Gwen Stefani.

Prefer Goods with Some History?
Vintage and thrift shops still mean fashion!
* A Little Wicked is offering a vintage re-working workshop.
* A Second Chance and Amarcord Vintage Fashion are both participating.
* Have a drink with the pop-up vintage shop, Caravan Stylist Studio, at the Sky Room, NYC’s highest rooftop lounge!
* The City Opera Thrift Shop will have a live performance by City Opera .

Model Aspirations?
A few stores are using the night as a casting call for models:
* American Apparel on 429 Broadway
* Alice + Olivia at 80 W 40th Street
* Swarovski at Rockefeller Center.

The Heavy-hitters
These superstores are pulling out ALL the stops!
* Bloomingdales is featuring celebrities, designers, cooking demos, karaoke and ping pong (click on the link for full listing of events).
* Macy’s Herald Square – Joss Stone in the shoe department, Tommy Hilfiger Tailgate Party in the men's department (with The Man himself), Rachel Roy and Jessica Stam in Impulse, and much more.
* Barney’s New York – there is not enough room to list all the power designers that will be here! They have games like ping-pong and musical chairs to keep the night interesting.
* Bergdorf Goodman has SUPER STARS! Jason Wu, Mary J. Blige, Nicole Richie, Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham and dozens of other celebrities and designers + Karaoke!

Eco-friendly
* AuH2O is serving up champagne, vegan cookies and eco-friendly designs!
* Monique Péan Fine Jewelry is made with sustainable and eco-friendly materials – and at Jeffrey New York, every piece of jewelry sold helps provide clean drinking water to developing communities in need.

Block Parties
Each of these have a bunch of stores with great parties and deals.
* 3.1 Phillip Lim and Rag & Bone Street Party + My Gold Mask will perform.
* Bond Street Black Carnival Party
* The Meatpacking District isn’t messing around – they want your biz! Some of the best store parties are in this ‘hood and they have a scavenger hunt based around the app for your phone, Four Square! Click on the link above to get the full event listing!
* The Plaza Beauty and The Shops at the Plaza will feature a performance by Corinne Bailey Rae, plus other incentives to shop where Eloise made using your credit card cool.
* Rockefeller Center will be turned into one big red carpet experience. My buddy Seth will be the DJ, along with live performances from Bear Hands, Brahms and Savoir Adore. Plus, over 115 stores are participating in the night’s festivities!
* Teen Vogue and ASOS.com Block Party will be hosted by Shenae Grimes with loads of giveaways and a performance by V V Brown.

Rest of the Best
* Rebecca Taylor (260 Mott Street location) will have cupcakes, cocktails, complimentary eyebrow shaping by Frederick Fekkai and mini makeovers from Bobbi Brown.
* Head into Reiss (387 West Broadway location) for complimentary makeovers from Rimmel London, a DJ, discounts on fall collection, gift with purchase, and cocktails!
* Adriana Lima will be at Victoria’s Secret at Herald Square where there will be makeovers and a gift with purchase offer.
* Vivienne Tam is offering complimentary manicures and hairstyling, Godiva Chocolate and specialty cocktails plus prizes!
* Helmut Lang had my heart when they said they were featuring food from Rickshaw Dumpling Truck and drinks from Death & Company!
* Ace Hotel – Opening Ceremony will be in the lobby with a French flea market theme.
* Issey Miyake will be turning their store into a Café in honor of their coffee-themed men’s collection. Crepes, Cocktails and Coffee will be served while the DJ keeps you moving.
* Trade in your old glasses (to benefit New Eyes for the Needy) and receive a $50 gift card at Robert Marc

Too Many Places You Want to Visit and Too Little Time?
Grand Central Terminal  has the event starting tonight through tomorrow night, featuring champagne, free gifts, live models, and discounts.
* Ann Taylor Loft is offering 30% off with on-line purchases with the code LOFTSTYLE so you can shop before you even leave for the evening.
Patricia Field Boutique (who styled Sex and the City) will be open starting at 11am and not closing until 1:00 am, so you can start early or shop late!! Featuring makeovers, cocktails, and more – this one shouldn’t be missed!

I vote you make this your last stop, get your make-up touched-up, have a drink and hit the town!

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With all of these, check on the Fashion’s Night Out website to confirm the address and times, as each location is different.  Also, a few smaller venues may require reservations or a RSVP.

Also, if you have a favorite salon or store that isn't listed here, check the FNO website because almost everyone is offering something!

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