In it’s second year, the Anna Wintour-created Fashion’s Night Out seemed to find its footing as both a social and media event. Capital-F Fashion people were sharing their experiences and photos all over Twitter, from Olsen Twin-anchored cattle calls at Barneys to velvet rope, guest-list-only fetes at Ferragamo and Madewell. The crowds were huge this year, bigger than last year by a wide margin, and nary a luxury brand or retailer with a New York outpost sat out the festivities.

By all of those metrics, Fashion’s Night Out was a roaring success. But as an event that drives sales and gets people shopping, many critics still have their questions about its efficacy. During a rather awkward Late Night with Jimmy Fallon appearance alongside uberdesigner Marc Jacobs, Wintour bristled at Fallon’s question of whether or not the event included discounts – it does not, or at least it’s not supposed to. So we’re curious – if you attended a FNO event in New York City or elsewhere, did you buy anything, or did you go to enjoy the crowd and the event (and maybe also the free cocktails)? (more…)

What is Fashion’s Night Out, you ask? Bedlam. Chaos. Hundreds of people lining up to see Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen only to be yelled at by a security guard who said that the event was closed. He also added that we, as spectators, were a fire hazard and we were all shepherded back down the escalators. That, my fellow friends and purse lovers, is the essence of Fashion’s Night Out.

Sure, the promoters say that it’s all about making shopping fun again, and that it is. But between you and me, more “shoppers” were hounding celebs and snapping up shots on their digital cameras than were forking over the plastic. I think I saw transactions taking place about three times, and one doesn’t count because my pal bought a Fashion’s Night Out tee shirt. Which, by the way, is extremely soft and comfortable.

That’s not to say that out night was a failure. Oh, it was quite the opposite. It was success, but a very different success than that which comes from receiving a good grade or finding the perfect pair of jeans. This was unexpected success- that satisfied feeling that comes after what you know has been a good, good night, even though you didn’t get the perfect shot of Victoria Beckham (I only got three pictures: one dark and two blurry). (more…)

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UPDATE: You can buy the totes from both NYC DKNY stores. DKNY Madison – 655 Madison Avenue (at 60th Street) and DKNY Soho – 420 West Broadway

I have no idea how anyone in NYC right now can decide where to make their stops for Fashion’s Night Out. One of the stops I would have liked to take was DKNY. First off, there will be DKNY Limited Edition Fall 2009 ‘Save the Runway’ Tote Bags in honor of Fashion’s Night Out and DKNY’s 20 year anniversary. These are limited edition and one-of-a-kind, 20 will be sold at the Madison Avenue store and 20 will be sold at the SoHo location. Materials on these bags will come entirely from DKNY’s Fall 2009 runway. Bag will be sold for $35 and proceeds benefit the National September 11th Memorial & Museum. (more…)

More events are popping up for Fashion’s Night Out. We will continue to bring you our favorites, though we know we will miss hundreds of other events! Our favorite shoe designer, who continues to wow us with its handbag collection, Christian Louboutin, will be hosting two events in New York for Fashion’s Night Out.

Louboutin is offering a Champagne Foot Bath at their store on Madison Avenue. At their boutique on Horatio Street, you can dance the night away to in their disco themed Loub Lounge.