New Yorkers, it’s almost decision time. As the 4th annual Fashion’s Night Out quickens upon us, there are some important choices to make. The only choice you don’t have on September 6th is staying in with a bucket of chicken. However, now that I’ve mentioned it, should that general behavior suddenly appeal to you, all is not lost: the FNO event for you is Saturdays Surf NYC (31 Crosby St.), where they will be hosting a backyard BBQ and beer party.
Now””for the rest of you. It is important, in navigating the plethora of options, to decide what it is that you are looking to get out of this epic night. Take a moment to be a diva. Celebrities? Deals? Live music? Cocktails? The good news is that you can get all of these things on FNO. The better news is that there are some places where you can get all of them at once.
Our editor picks:
1. 3.1 Philip Lim– 115 Mercer Street Mix fashion with art at the unveiling of a special Fashion Week/ ‘Kill The Night’ comic book inspired window and get a signed copy of ‘Kill The Night’ comic book with any purchase.
2. Comme des Garçons Edited Black-112 Tenth Avenue The concept store will welcome Brooklyn Soda Works, Blue Marble Ice Cream and the musical stylings of DJ Anson.
3. Humblechic.com– 437-51 13th Street The new e-commerce site bridges the gap between designer and mass market by offering “boutique designs, recessionista pricepoint.” Humble Chic’s NY pop-up shop at Urbanspace will showcase the brand’s fall collection, get a complimentary Humble Chic tote with any purchase.
4. Alexander Wang– 103 Grand Street The winner of the open-design art competition for the “cage” in the Soho store will be unveiled at FNO. Check out some of the awesome installations in the past.
5. Artist and Fleas– Chelsea Market 30 designers from Williamsburg‘s weekly market will debut their new collections including John-Michael Schlotter of Artists & Revolutionaries, Nina Valenti of naturevsfuture, Vania Alves of Lavai Maria, Arza Design, Afshaan Rahman, Adina Mills and more. It will be an evening of design, wine and music (DJ Turmix and DJ TruTones will spin 2 hour sets)
6. Assouline– Mezzanine of the Plaza Hotel The publisher will host an evening dedicated to fashion & philanthropy, highlighting Africa Is in Style, which pays tribute to African designers & labels such as Alphadi, Xuly BÃ «t, & Mickael Kra. Book proceeds from the evening will go directly to Fashion for Development.
7. Christian Siriano– 252 Elizabeth Street The Project Runway designer will appear for a meet and greet at his new flagship store.
8. Dekalb Market– 138 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn The small business entrepreneurs at DeKalb market will be hosting an evening of fashion, food, drinks and entertainment.
9. Isabel Marant– 469 Broome Street Champagne and DJ Love on the Run at Isabel Marant, Parisian favorite of editors, models and actresses, famous for her bohemian and effortless tomboy street chic style.
10. Kartell– 39 Greene Street The Italian home decor company famous for its plastic Phillip Starck designed chairs and “Bookworm” curved bookshelf will launch its latest a la mode footwear line.
If you’re looking for Designer/Star Power:
1. Calvin Klein– 654 Madison Avenue This party will be studded with special guests, including Vogue’s accessory director Virginia Smith and Calvin Klein’s Creative Director Francisco Costa with Italo Zuchelli, who will be co-hosting the event. Dwayne Wade will be a special guest, signing copies for his new memoir, A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger than Basketball. There will be music and drinks.
2. Lord & Taylor– 424 Fifth Avenue Kim Kardashian, Jill Zarin and both past and present designers of “Project Runway” will be there to celebrate FNO and the 10th Anniversary of “Project Runway.” Plus get a fashion sketch by FIT students with any purchase.
3. Michael Kors– 667 Madison Avenue Mr. Michael Kors and some surprise guest celebrity judges will be hosting a YouTube star karaoke contest from 6-11 p.m.
4. Kirna Zabete– 96 Greene Street Kirna Zabete will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in cahoots with FNO, and they are really pulling out the designers for the party. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu, and Peter Som will all be in attendance.
5. J. McLaughlin– 1311 Madison Avenue Designers Kevin and Jay McLaughlin will be mingling with partiers and serving up cocktails, alongside Daniel Cappello, author of The Ivy League. There will be surprise give-aways and munchies!
If you’re into Music with your mannequins:
1. M.A.C.– 506 Broadway Party from 7-10. This is going to be a big one. Azaelia Banks will be performing live, and the rest of the night, DJ Cosmo will be cranking the beats.
2. Anthropologie– Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue Anthropologie will be celebrating in their usual chic modus, hosting live performances from singer-songwriter Lucy Schwartz, part of the Push Play Project concert series from 8:00-8:30 p.m. and 9:00-9:30 p.m. There will also be refreshments.
3. Manolo Blahnik– 31 West 54th Street Drool over strappy sandals and sway to the vocal stylings of Cyndi Lauper at 8:30 p.m., celebrating her new musical “Kinky Boots.” Carrie would.
And if you’re just gambling for Best in Show All Around, skip the gamble and check out these parties:
1. Alexis Bittar– 465 Broome Street Karaoke and get a $50 store gift certificate! Yep, you heard right. If that’s not incentive to get behind the mike, we don’t know what is. And with the complimentary cocktails flowing, you’ll be ready to show Mariah how to sing when the time comes. Plus, comedian and performer Bridgett Everett will be hosting the whole blowout.
2. Rockefeller Center– 30 Rockefeller Plaza Rockefeller will be having a live runway show with design from the shopping center’s various labels, and the bands “We Were Promised Jet Packs” and “The Lonely Forest” will be performing live!
4. Henri Bendel– 712 Fifth Avenue Get ready for the glitz. The freaks and the fashion right here. Performances by Cirque de Soleil act “Zumanity,” Bendel girl print signings by Illustrator Izak, Henri Bendel iPhone cases with purchases of $50 or more, Bespoke Cocktails from The Mulberry Project, Prosecco from Cupcake Vinyard, and the whole event will be glammed up by Swarovski crystals.
5. Amarcord Vintage Fashion– 252 Lafayette Street Sip on your complimentary cocktails and jam out to a live performance by “The Tablets.” Plus, Amarcord will be launching their Fall 2012 line during the party, so you’ll be the first one to love it, or love it.
6. Artizia– 524 Broadway Every two minutes, a party guest gets to spin the Wheel of Fashion and win a $100 Artizia gift card (wins with every spin)! And during all of this, drop it low to the DJ’s beats while drinking Lady Luck Lemonade and vodka cocktails. All kinds of luck at this spot.
7. Oscar de la Renta– 722 Madison Avenue Because: if you have the opportunity to go to a cocktail reception in Oscar de la Renta, you should take it.
We hope this gets you started! However, it can be argued that the most important thing on this magical night is not where you go, but what you are wearing. Anything could happen, so don something crazy. The city is your runway.
