fashion's night out
Even though I hardly have the wallet to fully participate in it, I’m pretty stoked about Fashion’s Night Out – Vogue’s initiative to boost the fashion industry with a night of events, cocktails, extended shopping hours, and limited edition wares. As a nod to the 8th anniversary tomorrow, 40% of the proceeds from the official FNO t-shirts (designed by Alex Wang) will go to the September 11th Foundation. If you're on a budget like I am, you can choose to heed Anna Wintour's advice and "buy lipstick" for $20 or under.
Some highlights to expect tonight:
CHANEL. The 57th street store will be debuting a handbag customization bar. Do you know how badly I wish I could take advantage of this? You can pick materials, hardware, lining, monograms, etc. Seriously. Hook me up with this, someone. Bueller? Andre Leon Talley will be there if you want a second opinion before knocking out serious cash on a personalized bag. 15 East 57th Street.
OPENING CEREMONY. The three-story shop will expand onto the whole street and take-over for a block party, with expected appearancs by Jack and Laz of Proenza Schouler, Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters, Alex Wang, and a laundry list of downtown who’s-who. Oh, and there will be ice cream and David Chang, (that would be David Chang of Momofuku, natch) deliciousness. See below. 35 Howard Street.
KIRNA ZABETE. One of my favorite Soho outposts will be carrying limited edition aprons designed by Peter Som and Tote bags by Proenza Schouler. Having previewed both of these this weekend, I can vouch that the prints on the Som aprons are covetable and not at all dissimilar from his fall/winter collection, and you could probably DIY them into a pretty cute top/skirt/tote bag. 96 Greene Street.
C.O. BIGELOW. The original C.O. Bigelow Apothecary on 6th Avenue will be handing out tubes of their mentha lip gloss, reportedly the number 1 selling gloss in America. Who knew? I’m allergic to this stuff, so grab an extra tube on my behalf. 414 Sixth Avenue.
ANNA SUI. The veteran designer’s diffusion-line for Target will be debuting at a pop-up store tonight in Soho, at 54 Crosby Street (that “alley” between Broadway and Lafayette, near Spring Street). I’m still a little angry at the literal recycling of designs from her previous collection, but if you want to have a go at some “gossip girl inspired” digs before they officially hit stores (in three days), have at it. 54 Crosby Street.
PHILLIP LIM. Limited-edition studded leather motorcycle jacket. It’s fifteen-hundred dollaz. I want it. I can't have it. Nuff said. 115 Mercer Street.
BIRD. The boutique that features one of the only impressive stocks of Thakoon in Brooklyn is partnering up with Vena Cava to host a carnival/all-girl/block party fiasco. They're promising a celebrity dunk tank, (as I just recalled, I haven't witness an in-person dunk tank since 2002 at my synagogue's Purim Carnival). Vena Cava pulled fabrics from their archives to put together a rack of some super limited edition $100-dresses. 203 Grand Street, Williamsburg.
OAK. Oak is teaming up with April 77 to bring special edition $77 customizable jeans. Specify your wash, rips, burns, fades, bleach spots, and hems, all while enjoying the set of dj's and booze. 28 Bond Street.
MARC JACOBS. The collection store will host a photography exhibition. That's all I can confirm, but I'm crossing my fingers for a full-size print of the controversial Juergen Teller photo of two men kissing (below) that Men's Vogue (yes, MEN'S VOGUE, the most hetero publication ever since Butt Magazine) refused to run as an ad. Hm. Maybe that's why they folded.
H&M. I’ll admit I stopped caring about H&M a long time ago, but ANTM hopefuls (whether you’re five-foot-seven, or taller, or shorter…) can get runway walking lessons from Miss J Alexander. Seriously. 515 Broadway.
ED HARDY. Just kidding.
FOODIES. Opening Ceremony will have Van Leuwen ice cream and Momofuku sweet treats. Ralph Lauren on Bleecker will have Magnolia cupcakes. Chanel on Madison at 64th street will have chocolate. Rebecca Taylor on Mott Street will have a candy bar with fresh loads of cotton candy. Canapes at Burberry on Spring Street.
BRAVO JUNKIES. Jill Zarin of The Real Housewives of New York will be hosting a shoe party at Macy’s Herald Square. Padma Lakshmi will be judging a cook off between Cynthia Rowley, Peter Som, Lela Rose, and more at Bergdorf’s.
There will be cocktails and champagne flowing EVERYWHERE. I think the rationale is that if they liquor you up enough, you’re more likely to drop a few hundo (or over a grand... cough THE ROW cough) on leather leggings. Carpe diem. I just hope I at least get to see Lynn Yaeger (with or without Michael Musto at her side) a few times tonight so I can use the excuse of the overflowing bubbly to say hello.
IF you didn't find this summary satisfying and want to completely overwhelm yourself, view the full list of retailers and designers participating in FNO here.