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THE second annual shopping event to fuel retail traffic in stores during the height of the late-year shopping season is planned for September 10.
The fashion party, which focused on New York last year, is now global with nearly 1,000 retailers, designers, beauty brands and celebrities offering special events or discounts with many planned for the Gulf.
Top outlets at Bahrain's leading malls are currently discussing options for joining in the fashion frenzy.
Events are also planned in Australia, China, Greece, India, Russia and Turkey, among other countries. Some consumers will hear musical performances; other shoppers will be fed. Fashion insiders will give a Hollywood style makeover to some shoppers, and some will go home with bags of freebies or special-edition merchandise.
Global highlights include 'supermodel posing lessons' from Bar Rafaeli at Giorgio Armani and a 25th anniversary party celebrating Naomi Campbell's career at Dolce and Gabbana; Campbell has committed to come and sign T-shirts.
"It has been a remarkable journey since Fashion's Night Out debuted last year, event instigator Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour said in a statement. "The enthusiasm and creativity with which retailers and designers have approached this year's celebration around the world are truly inspiring. I am delighted that shoppers will have such an extraordinary night to enjoy fashion."
ShopperTrak, an independent reporter of consumer traffic, estimated that the inaugural FNO saw a 50 per cent jump in retail foot traffic.
Other boldface names with scheduled appearances in New York this year include Bryan Adams, Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Lauren Hutton, Heidi Klum, Jessica Simpson and Pharrell Williams, along with designers and beauty gurus Oscar Blandi, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Isaac Mizrahi and Vera Wang.
In Beverly Hills, California, Samuel L Jackson will host an exhibition of his favourite red carpet looks at the Armani store, and Rodeo Drive gets a Ferris Wheel. Cirque Du Soleil plans performances throughout the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, and a block party is planned in the Miami Design District.
Of course, this being the fashion industry, there are products planned, too, including T-shirts and a hoodie.
Charities will get 40 per cent of the proceeds.
And, on September 7, Fashion's Night Out plans the largest public fashion show ever held in New York, featuring 150 models and current-season fashion selected by Vogue editors.
It will be held at Lincoln Centre, which later in the week becomes home to the Fashion Week tents that designers will use to preview next spring's styles.
There also will be a live Webcast of the runway on CBS.com
