Fashion Night Out

For one night only the streets of one of the worlds major cities hold a celebration in the name of fashion. The air is filled with the sounds of music pumping, the ground is laden with bustling steps, and stores are staying open under the twinkling lights of the city. To some trendy individuals this night is better than Christmas; in fact they have created online countdowns for the event. This nocturnal adventure is filled with luxury clothes, beautiful make up, celebrity spotting’s, swanky parties, and impromptu fashion shows. I’m talking about none other that Fashion Night Out. (FNO)
 

This one sundown event was launched a mere 3 years ago by the master mind workings of Vogue Magazines Editor and Chief Anna Wintour (in white), the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and NYC and Company, in hopes of helping inspire people, in a time of recession, to go out and take advantage of the city. Due to the economy, the fashion industry had taken quite a blow in their annual revenue numbers, so the brainchild FNO was born. The hopes of this night were to not only bringing the public closer to the designers and elite, but to help boost spending in the designer markets. So, in September of 2009 the date was saved, and the everyday fashion lovers of America flooded the fashion world.
 

The 1^st FNO was so well received; it was decided to make it annual. By that following year Australia, Brazil, London, Paris, China, Berlin, Turkey, Greece, South Korea, Spain, Milan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Portugal, and Russia decided to join the party, in which they too celebrated in their own FNO. With the edition of all the new countries, it was decided to expand FNO events; therefore countries would then participate on different days. This allowed people and designers alike to travel to and from countries to follow and support the individual FNO. The events now start on September 7^th and end around September 16^th.  
 
This year FNO has even spread even more. 18 countries participated, 250 U.S. cities, and 1,178 retailers in New York City alone came to partake in the now global event. This was a fête of the blending cultures of countries and fashion elites with the public.  The line was blurred between the upper crust of the fashion circuit and the everyday style aficionados.
 

The evening is so jam packed with events that run from 6pm-11 pm (and parties always run later) there is no way possible to attend them all.  So this means you will have to choose between hanging out with Jared Leto and Courtney Love at a fabulous party, or seeing the Olsen twins tending bar at one of the local watering holes, or getting to meet Marc Jacobs as he reveals a few new designs, get the chance to hear Darren Criss sing some sweet melodies, or finally getting your chance to hug Justin Beiber. If you go to FNO website they will have a list of the designers and the events they are having, different parties, certain specials, etc. and then you can select them and build a FNO “menu” of sorts to help guide you through the night. Be prepared to see tons of people you admire, including models, designers, actors, artist, and musicians. For one evening it doesn’t have to be about who you know, it is all about bringing everyone together in the name of fashion.

But don’t worry ladies; if you weren’t lucky enough to attend this epic day, you are able to purchase a beautiful artistic t-shirt that commemorates FNO.  There is always next year! The point my fashion loving followers is that fashion can be anywhere, anytime, anyplace, with anyone. Come on, how fun would it be to go to the star studded city for a day? A girl can always dream! But, remember you don’t have to go all the way to New York, even here in Iowa City; you can make any night your FNO.