Fashion’s Night Out in NYC

To celebrate and breathe some buzz into the NYC retail/fashion industry, the “Capital of the World” is hosting the 1st annual Fashion’s Night Out. On September , participating NYC stores and boutiques will keep their doors open until 11p and offer shoppers great deals on merchandise. Fashion’s Night Out is sponsored by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization.

Fashion's Night Out Tee, $30

This shopping extravaganza wouldn’t be complete without the opportunity to be selfless. There are three ways for NYC-ers to show their style and give back.

-Purchase the official Fashion’s Night Off tee for $30 at participating retailers. 40% of the proceeds will benefit the National September 11th Memorial and Museum.

-Drop off gently worn clothes at various locations to benefit the NYC AIDS Fund

-Volunteer your time with Clothing Drive tasks or other FNO-related activities

Sounds like this will be a fun night! On the website, I counted about 500 shops (across the 5 boroughs) that have signed up to participate. I suggest that you create a plan of action to help you with your game plan. Or you can check the FNO site on 8/17 and find out some of the special events and discounts being offered. That may help too!

To learn more about FNO, visit www.fashionsnightout.com!

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Gala Gal on a Budget?

Personally, I know that I can’t afford to buy a $300 gala ticket AND a $1000+ gala gown. At least, not yet

That’s why I was so excited to learn about Borrow a Dress Couture located here in Chicago. This cute boutique stocks this season’s couture gowns from designers such as Oui Oui Couture, Lavender Label by Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, Herve Leger, and many more. Even better is that you can rent the gowns for 3-days and return them like *snap* that!

To learn more about the boutique, check out my Chicagonista article by clicking here!

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Jimmy Choo Rolls Out Project PEP

In partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Jimmy Choo is launching Project PEP, a collection of limited edition items, to benefit the Simelela Center in South Africa. You can find more information over at Flypaper, the official blog of Bluefly.com.

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Dallas Event: “Valentino: The Last Emperor” Screening and Party

I remember looking at the pics from the NYC premiere of Valentino: The Last Emperor, and dreaming of walking the red carpet rubbing elbows with NYC’s esteemed socialites and fashion gurus. Not only did I want to don an amazing gown, I wanted to take a peek at this fashion flick and prepare myself to be wowed away. I have yet to see the film, but if you are in Dallas then here is your chance!

This Friday, the 8th, Parkerhawn Vintage and Christine Williamson Events are hosting a screening of the film along with an after party to benefit Operation Smile. All the specifics can be found on the flier below! If you’re interested, you must RSVP by Thursday, May 7th!

If you’re looking for theatres in your area which are showing the film, you can visit www.valentinomovie.com for listings!

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DC Event: Guess Store Opening Benefits Fashion Fights Poverty

If you’re in the DMV area, you are probably already familiar with “Fashion Fights Poverty.” Fashion Fights Poverty is a campaign “that celebrates the work of socially responsible designers, and organizations which use fashion, artisanship and creativity to build sustainable economic opportunity in the world’s poorest communities.” This great initiative is the brainchild of the Style Image Network (SIN), a boutique PR firm based out of Washington, D.C. Every fall, they host a fashion show featuring both stateside and international designers (I’ve heard great things), but there are also various events which lead up to the main event.

Guess.com

 

This Thursday, April 30th, Guess and Teen Vogue are inviting DC’s style mavens to the grand opening of the new Guess store located at 1155 F Street. From 6:30-8:30p, guests will enjoy mini-makeovers by MAC, manicures by Essie, and the opportunity to save while shopping. If you donate $5 to Fashion Fights Poverty, you will receive 20% off your purchases that evening.

Your purchase will also score you a Guess Green reusable tote bag full of products from GUESS, Teen Vogue, M.A.C. Cosmetics, philosophy, ESSIE, Rosebud Perfume Company and more! You must RSVP by Tuesday, April 28th by sending an email to RSVP@teenvogue.com.

You can visit FashionFightsPoverty.org to learn more about the campaign, the events, and the past beneficiaries.

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Cynthia Rowley in Chicago!

Okay, stylistas…Here’s a great chance for you to shop, mingle with a top designer, AND support a great cause. Cynthia Rowley will be in town on Friday, May 1st signing copies her book “Slim: A Fantasy Memoir,” while offering style advice to attendees! This soiree will take place at the Cynthia Rowley store in Bucktown (1653 N. Damen) from 6-8p. The party will also celebrate ART Chicago, an annual international fair celebrating modern and contemporary art at Merchandise Mart.

Ten percent of sales on men and women’s clothing and accessories benefit RxArt, a charity providing art for hospitals. To RSVP, send an email to publicrelations@cynthiarowley.com!

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Online Denim Sale Benefits Women’s Shelters!

Some might argue with me, but I think the mainstreaming of jeans has single-handedly changed my life. While that might be a slight exaggeration, I love wearing jeans. I will take a great pair of jeans over dress slacks ANYDAY. Dress pants don’t fit me right, and it takes too much effort to get it right! Does anyone else feel that way?

Regardless of your denim POV, I’m sure that we can all agree that discounted anything is a good look these days!

This Friday, 4/17, and Saturday, 4/18, the Designer Jean Company will host its first online fashion happy hour to benefit women’s shelters. From 5:00pm – 6:00pm PST each night, The Designer Jean Company will offer shoppers an additional 25% off the first 100 pairs of designer jeans.

DJC features the latest from designer jeans brands like True Religion, Joes, James, Red Engine, Paper Denim, Antik, Taverniti, J Brand, Chip and Pepper, Elvis and more at prices 40-70% below retail. And for each pair of jeans sold this weekend, The Designer Jean Company will donate directly to the Chrysalis Women’s Shelter of Phoenix.

According to the press release, 

By making a significant donation during the launch to local women’s shelters, DJC will be working to help those women most negatively impacted by the current economic times. Denim against domestic abuse.

Well put. Get your shop on by clicking here!

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DC Event: District Sample Sale

For all of you ladies in DC who make it a point to stay stylish and chic, you should check out the District Sample Sale on March 18th. This sample sale is part shoppers’ paradise and part philanthropic act. Hosted by Labels for Love, a nonprofit organization devoted to hosting fashionable events for charities, this event will benefit both a women’s charity and a children’s charity.

Kate Michael (aka K Street Kate) has all the details in her story for the DC Examiner!

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Shecky’s Girls Night Out Chicago!

Ladies!!!

Shecky’s famous Girls Night Out event is making its way back to Chicago for THREE days of fashion, beauty, and fun! From Wednesday, 3/18, to Friday, 3/20, you’ll have the opportunity to shop emerging designers at discounted prices, sip cocktails, and enjoy sample beauty services (think manis and massages). In addition to everything else, one of my favorite reasons to attend Shecky’s GNO is the Famous Goodie Bag that everyone receives. The bag, valued at $100, contains products from beauty brands such as Kiehl’s, and many more!

Have you ever gotten one of those bags? I swear, it’s like Christmas when you’re digging through and realizing what great things are in there! Every time I attend, my girls and I leave with shoes, jewelry, a handbag, and a sophisticated buzz Seriously though, who couldn’t use a fun night out with their favorite ladies?

Tickets to Girls Night Out are only $25 and can be purchased by clicking here!

But, there’s more…!

Thanks to the fab folks at Shecky’s,  I will be giving out FIVE pairs of tickets!!! All you have to do is send the following information to thefabgiver@gmail.com by next Thursday, the 26th:

Your Name

Your Favorite Cause/Organization

 

I’ll randomly select 5 people and email you all by Friday, the 27th! Sound good? Please feel free to pass the word to other people who’d be interested in attending. With this event, I can guarantee you that the more people in attendance, the merrier the atmosphere!

Let me know if you have any questions!

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NYC Event: MacDella Cooper Foundation Party

NYC’s Fashion Week is rapidly approaching, and from what I hear it is a nonstop show. There are the shows, the parties, the shows, and more parties…Am I missing anything? Yeah, I didn’t think so! Well, for my NYC ladies who are looking for something chic and charitable to add to the calendar, you might want to attend the MCF Fashion Week After Party hosted by MacDella Cooper and her foundation.

MacDella Cooper has been featured in Glamour, and worked at Ralph Lauren. But, this fashionista always had it in her heart to help the abandoned children of her native country, Liberia. In 2004, she formed the MacDella Cooper Foundation devoted to empowering Liberian youth, especially orphans and abandoned children, by affording them an education and providing basic necessities. 

On February 20th, the MacDella Cooper Foundation is hosting the MCF Fashion Week After Party at Nikki Beach, with the goal of raising $500,000 to break ground on the MCF Academy, opening in 2010.  The MCF Academy will be the first tuition-free school serving abandoned children in Liberia.

The MCF Fashion Week After Party will include an unveiling of the MCF Academy building rendering by Winka Dubbeldam. The evening’s enjoyments will include an exclusive Fall 2009 Collection showing by fashion designer Korto Momolu, a finalist on Season 5 of Project Runway and a keynote address by Susan Metzger, CEO, Women’s Wholesale at Jones Apparel Group. 

The red carpet kickoff to the event will begin at 6pm followed by a VIP cocktail hour. General admission will commence at 7pm, with the program concluding by 10pm followed by a night of dancing and music, courtesy of New York’s own ‘DJ Dusko’ Justic.

You can visit www.macdellacooper.org to purchase tickets and learn more about the foundation!

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