Uptown, Downtown...Fashion's Night To Shine

It was as if the entire city was a catwalk.

To pump some life back into the fall shopping season, retail stores throughout the world kept their doors open late, poured the champagne and raised the energy level to another level Thursday during the first ever Fashion’s Night Out.

I spent the night in New York City. It was really simply incredible. Every shopping area of the big apple was wild all as celebrities, fashion designers, models an everyday people hopped in and out of stores, danced in the street and even enjoyed some BBQ late into the night.

You really have to hand it to Anna Wintour who set up shop in the outer boroughs at the Macy’s at the Queens Center mall in Elmhurst for putting together such a spectacular night. Everyone loved it. It was like Halloween for the fashion crowd.

My friends Havona and fellow blogger Kristin started out in the Meatpacking District at the Nary Manivong Spring 2010 show. The line from the new Latino fashion designer were both cool and wearable in bright colors and fluid fabrics. From there we passed Perry Street, the home of Carrie Bradshaw on the show “Sex and the City”. Here, Teen Voguand Taylor Momsen of “Gossip Girl” teamed up and rallied the troops with live music and a fashion show. From there, we descended upon SoHo. We watched the Julie Haus fashion show. Her charming Spring 2010 collection was inspired by the spirt and creativity of Charlie Chaplin. “Each piece is meant to bring a tiny bit of happiness,” Haus said of the line. The tops, rompers and dresses had subtle patterns and soft hues to bring a delicate touch of color to your wardrobe.

From there we weaved our way through the crowded streets along Spring Streets and W. Broadway. We stopped into Channel where they offered free manicures; Burberry where you were greeted by gorgeous models offering a refreshing glass of champagne (doesn’t this always happen when you shop); Theory where they had 13 installation of their fall looks styled by Vogue editors and celebrity stylists; Custo Barcelona and my personal favorite Elie Tahari, where I had the chance to talk to the designer about his safari-themed Spring collection. We ended up at Rachel Roy’s pop-up shop where the urban-edged fashion designer and Grammy Award winning songbird Estelle hosted the party. Guests were standing wall-to-wall while listening to the tunes spun by Lady Bunny and sipping some delicious bubbly. Also on hand was famed New York graffiti artist SenOne who was working on a limited edition graffiti collection. I just loved this brick-patterned trench coat, each one personally designed by the artist so no two are alike.

Let’s hope the great feelings from the night continues. That would be so fabulous.

Fashion's Night Out

Tomorrow night (Thursday), free your calendars, grab your best girlfriends and be prepared to shop 'til you drop. Stores will be open late as it's Fashion's Night Out and I'm on board. Fashion's Night Out, sponsored by Vogue and CFDA, is the fashion world's spectacular response to get us shopping again to save the global economy. All around the world, the fashion sect is set to party all night long with coordinating shopping extravaganzas in the retail meccas of the world including my very own New York City, London, Italy, France, Brazil and Japan, among others. There's going to be a ton of celebrity appearances in NYC to help celebrate the evening including Justin Timberlake and his William Rast partner Trace Ayala, who are launching a pop-up store for their stunning clothing line at Saks Fifth Avenue (611 Fifth Avenue), Hugh Jackman and Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford will be at Jeffrey (449 W. 14th Street), and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen will be on the scene as bartenders at Barneys New York (600 Madison Avenue).

For a more complete listing of events, check out fashionsnightout.com.

All around the world, style will reign large. In Boston, my old stomping grounds, Luna Boston will be celebrating with beer and dim sum courtesy of Luna's own in-house stylist, Joe Farese. There you can play dress up with special guest super-cool designer Sam Mendoza and his gorgeous gowns along with some awesome shoes and bags. In Dallas, Neiman Marcus will join forces with the Dallas Film Society with a special screening of the movie Valentino: The Last Emperor at the North Park Center. Attendees have the opportunity to meet the director and producer Matt Tyrnauer as he signs copies of the movie. In Los Angeles, the designer Phillip Lim is re-imagining five signature pieces from his archives with today's fabrications and embellishments.

My always stylish friend and fellow blogger Kristin (lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/simply-chic-blog.aspx) and I will be hitting up a few places including the always fabulous Rachel Roy (111 Spring Street) with singer Estelle as host and the Julie Haus fashion show (93 Mercer Street). We're also going to be checking out a couple of my all-time favorite designers including Elie Tahari (417 W. Broadway) and Rebecca Taylor (260 Mott Street).

Also, be sure to check out the season's hottest trends: anything plaid, one-shoulder dresses, leather pants and the power jacket.

Drop me a line if you go to anyplace amazing.

Stay fabulous!!!