Fashion’s Night Out: A Realistic Guide To Shop-Hopping

Fashion’s Night Out is one more attempt by Vogue Queen Bee Anna Wintour to help the retail industry salvage earnings and for that, we applaud it. But, Trendcetera is about encouraging Americans to be open minded, well educated, smart shoppers and that means shopping for what you need not what you want. Still, avoiding the impulse buy on Friday evening will be difficult, especially since the stores and their liquor sponsors get customers good and sauced.

But willpower isn’t the only issue that comes to mind when discussing the second annual Fashion’s Night Out festivities. Other issues include transportation, time, and comfort. Midtown was a madhouse last year and the attempt to get into Bergdorf Goodman’s, which secured a very long list of A-list celebrities, proved quite unsuccessful. While many might want to hit Grand Central and the three Bs–Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s and Barneys–an area further south might be less stressful. Whatever you choose, try to focus on one neighborhood, wear a medium heel, opt for an unlimited day subway pass over cabs, and stash a big bottle of water and an energy bar in your carryall. Here’s Trendcetera Magazine’s guide to FNO. The focus here is on SoHo because it is far from the chaos of midtown, the streets are closer together, and there are loads of events to keep you busy. Below you’ll find details on a few events, including the freebies, celeb appearances, liquor details and a link to FNO maps.

Key Midtown Picks

The W Times Square is encouraging shoppers to splurge at their store, where spenders will get one of the limited edition bags designed by fashion Illustrator Danny Roberts. Running from 5-8 p.m., the store will have Roberts onsite live to sign the bags of the first 100 to make a purchase at the W store and to show off his favorite work, at The Living Room bar. Plus, one shopper will win a free sketched portrait by Roberts and anyone that spends at least $250 will get a free cocktail from the “SIPS” menu. Bliss Spa workers will be onsite to offer hand massages at the W Times Square and W New York locations.

Jewelry designer and Nix & Stones Founder Amy Nix is selling her Angel Wings at the Plaza Hotel on FNO. The wings have a metal base and are covered with Swarovski crystals, on sterling silver or gold filled chains. The wings retail at $88 for the smaller size and $98 for the larger, with 25% of proceeds going toward a shelter for women. Nix sets herself apart by employing some of the women from the shelter to help make the wings. Click here for more on the Angel Wings collection.

Heading Downtown…

For Unique Menswear & Quality Booze…

Store: Rimmel London and Reiss are hosting an event with the new face of Rimmel, Coco Rocha, and makeup artists offering touchups. All full-priced products are 10% for the evening. 

Special: The gift with purchase includes a Reiss makeup bag that includes Rimmel’s new Lash Accelerator Mascara, which will be out next month.

Liquor Sponsor: Bulldog Gin

Location & Time: 387 West Broadway between Spring and Broome

Store: Korres Natural Products is hosting an event with cupcakes, makeovers and antioxidant-infused cocktails inspired by some of the commonly used ingredients, such as wild rose, pomegranate, Thyme honey and raspberry.

Location & Time: 6-11 p.m. 110 Wooster at Spring and Prince. Call 212-219-0683 or email Woosterstreet@korresusa.com to book a free makeover.

Express Mania: Manis, Tarot Readings & Major Discounts

Store: Express is hosting what promises to be an eventful FNO stop, even if you have never purchased clothes at the mass retailer before. From 9:30-10:30 p.m. Supermodel Jessica Stam is spinning and from 9-11 p.m. daring fashionistas can get a free tarot reading. Plus, the whole event is modeled around the launch of the retailer’s first fragrance for women, Love Express (1.7oz $44.90, 3.4oz $59.90), which has fruity-floral scent whose notes include blackberry, mandarin, pineapple, jasmine, vanilla musk and white iris.

Specials: From 7-9 p.m. the retailer is offering free hot pink manicures and all night customers will get $30 off purchases of at least $90!

Nourishment: Cocktails, brownie pops and ice cream.

Location & Time: 6-11 p.m. 545 Broadway at Houston and Prince

Bananas! Shut the Front Door! I Die! I’ve Come Undone…

Piperlime is the reason Los Angeles-based stylist and Bravo star Rachel Zoe will be in SoHo on Friday. The waify stylist and QVC designer will be at the Pimerlime popup star from 8-10 p.m. The popup store opens at 93 Mercer Street on September 9 and will stay open through October 3. Standard hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. but it will stay open until 11 p.m. on Friday. Plus, customers will get a free tote bag with purchase, while supplies last. To RSVP, email piperlime@alisonbrodpr.com

Spanish retailer Mango will have makeup artists and stylists at their 561 Broadway store during the FNO event, from 6-11 p.m., when they’ll offer 30% off.

Click here for the complete list of events.

Click here for the NYPost map of events and the official FNO customizable map.

Click here to find a list of events for Fashion’s Night Out outside of NYC.

To some, fashion is art. To others, it is simply an industry that supplies the clothes on our backs. To keep it light, have a laugh at fashion’s new drama queen, Rachel Zoe.