Today, September 8th, the storm that is Fashion's Night Out hits New York. With over a thousand stores participating this year and diehard shoppers swarming the streets, shit is bound to get a little crazy. Entering a good store on FNO can be your safest bet to get away from the sidewalk mayhem, we've taken it upon ourselves to find some small retail havens. Below are the spots we'll be hitting up and the bands we'll be listening to.
WHAT: Helmut Lang hosts Best Coast
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: Helmut Lang. 93 Mercer St., Manhattan
WHY: The straightforward, lovelorn rock of Best Coast is perfectly paired with the label's sparse, elegant take on the basics. Another perfect pairing? Luke's Lobster rolls and Death & Company cocktails, served throughout the evening in celebration of Helmut Lang's new website.
WHAT: VPL Block Party
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: VPL. 5 Mercer St., Manhattan
WHY: We'll probably see more FNO block parties in the future, but VPL and friends (Agnes B, 3x1 and Nike) are the first to come up with this brilliant idea. LCD Soundsytem’s James Murphy will be DJing promptly at 6. Get there early, because it's going to get crowded.
WHAT: Henri Bendel's Sparkle & Glamour
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: 712 5th Ave., Manhattan
WHY: Henri Bendel is offering up all the usual swanky services that are expected for Fashion's Night Out: manis, pedis and endless champagne. What we're curious about is the fact that the store will have an in-house tattoo artist slapping a special tat designed just for the event on whoever is willing. You'll literally never forget FNO 2011, unless you're willing to pay the price for laser removal.
WHAT: El Mercado de Carnaval
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: Ace Hotel. 20 W. 29th St., Manhattan.
WHY: Every year Opening Ceremony picks a different country for inspiration, and this year it's Argentina. There's going to be a full-on South American marketplace, an appearance by Miss Piggy and a raffle for the infamous Proenza Schouler PS 1 bag. Performances are still hush-hush, but given the store's track record, it's probably going to be something worthwhile.
WHAT: Ellie Goulding at Nike
WHEN: 6PM - 9PM
WHERE: Niketown NY. 6 E. 57th St., Manhattan
WHY: A performance by singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding and dope deals on some new Nikes is reason enough for us.
WHAT: Bergdorf's "Live Window Revue"
WHEN: 6:45PM - 10PM
WHERE: Bergdorf Goodman. 754 Fifth Ave., Manhattan
WHY: Bergdorf's probably puts on the biggest, not to mention one of the best, shows during FNO. Ronnie Spector, Amy Winehouse muse and rock's original bad girl, will perform in the iconic window display this year with several acts following. Check out the retail mecca's website for a full list of events.
WHAT: Billy Reid
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: Billy Reid NY flagship store. 54 Bond St., Manhattan
WHY: Besides serving up complimentary tacos from the Mexicue truck and a slew of performances from Keegan DeWitt to Shelly Colvin, Reid offers clothes for both men and women as well as a signature line of vintage-inspired K-Swiss kicks.
WHAT: OAK's Disco Dive
WHEN: 7PM - 11PM
WHERE: 28 Bond St., Manhattan
WHY: At one point or another we've all wished that we were around for the heyday of Studio 54 and glam. OAK’s taking us back to this era for four hours with a full out disco party upstairs. Downstairs, Australian brand Ksubi will be creating a psychedelic room.
WHAT: Keds presents Beach Fossils
WHEN: 7PM - 10PM
WHERE: Bloomingdales. 1000 3rd. Ave., Manhattan
WHY: Why not hit up Bloomys before all the downtown craziness? Beach Fossils will be performing and we're interested to see if they'll be up to the wistful crooning that dominated their debut album. Also, get the DL on Keds and Opening Ceremony's latest collaboration, the re-launch of the Keds Baseball Sneaker.
WHAT: Tanlines, Freelance Whales and MNDR at Theory
WHEN: 6PM - 11PM
WHERE: Theory, 38 Gansevoort St., Manhattan
WHY: Head over to the Meatpacking District to see not one, but three (!) NYC-based bands and grab a custom tee, designed by Deer Dana and Olivier Theyskens, Theory's artistic director.
WHAT: Mirror Mirror at Gary Graham
WHEN: 6PM - 10PM
WHERE: Gary Graham Tribeca Store, 176 Franklin St., Manhattan
WHY: An open bar stocked with Belvedere, DJ Scott Mau, and a live performance by Brooklyn's own Mirror Mirror guaranteed to rouse the dark and dangerous out of even the most reserved attendees—what's not to love? Get there early! The first 50 to arrive will snag a limited edition tee designed by Graham in collaboration with E. V. Day.
WHAT: Phillip Lim's Cults Concert
WHEN: 6PM - 10PM
WHERE: 631 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
WHY: Don't worry West Coasters, we haven't forgotten about you. Head over to Phillip Lim's to indulge in some XOIA grub and Deleon Tequila-laced drinks while watching the Brooklyn-based band Cults perform feel-good tunes with sinister undertones. As far as the merchandise goes, take the remorse out of your spending—proceeds from the night will go to the Silverlake Conservatory of Music.
