Anna Wintour & Vogue’s one-night-only event last year has morphed into a full blown, world-wide party to celebrate and support the significance, progress and future of fashion and retail. News about New York Fashion’s Night Out 2010 has been trickling in for a few weeks now, that is, until the official Fashion’s Night Out press conference that took place Wednesday, August 11.

The press meeting brought out all the big players, including Anna Wintour (Editor-in-chief of Vogue), designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Tory Burch, Francisco Costa, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Thakoon Panichgul, Prabal Gurung, Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler, Mary-Kate Olsen, Kenneth Cole, Tracy Reese and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava, as well as CEO of Saks Stephen Sadove and fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman Linda Fargo and CFDA executive director Steven Kolb.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg ushered in the new home of New York Fashion Week, the Lincoln Center, where visual and performing arts intermingle. Bloomberg spoke on the importance of supporting the fashion industry in New York City (since the industry sustains 175,000 jobs and pumps $10 billion into our economy annually) and other urban centers around the world. Last year’s FNO success in press, sales and foot traffic probably helped in starting the conversation about this year’s FNO initiative.

Currently, there are 1000 retailers that are signed up to take part in FNO. Also, Fashion’s Night Out: The Show, will be the largest public fashion show in New York City history and will feature fall trends picked by Anna Wintour and her Vogue team. You can buy tickets (starts off at $25) at the Lincoln Center Box Office.
CBS and CBS.com have struck a deal and have the rights to exclusive content during Fashion’s Night Out. The Show will be broadcast on CBS.com and on September 14, a documentary on Fashion’s Night Out behind-the-scenes will air on the CBS network channel.

Will you be taking part in Fashion’s Night Out? Betsey Johnson | 160 Geary Street, Jimmy Choo | 845 Market Street, Loehmann’s.com | 222 Sutter Street, Macy’s | 170 O’Farrell Street, Neiman Marcus | 150 Stockton Street, Nordstrom | 865 Market Street, Ted Baker London | 80 Grant Avenue, True Religion Brand Jeans | 845 Market Street, and Westfield San Francisco Centre | 865 Market Street locations will be taking part in San Francisco’s Fashion’s Night Out.

Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Center will be the hub for Fashion’s Night Out in Los Angeles. Are you in New York City? There is too much to report in this post! Check out Fashion’s Night Out Examiner for special features for NYC FNO!

_the modman

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The weather on the East Coast this weekend (or at least Saturday) could not have been more amazing. The sun was peeking in and out and the breeze was cool and calming. If this is a preview of autumn, I want the new season to be here now!

Autumn is a crucial turning point for everyone. The weather changes,  school bells start to ring, leaves color and fashion week kicks off. The cooler weather means packing up summer clothes, unpacking knits and jackets and going shopping for new camels, full pants and other lady-like pieces. Another category to add to “to buy for fall” checklist is jewelry. As Rachel Zoe says, a dress is just a dress until you add some jewels.

Last week, jewelry line Olivia Stone presented its new collection to select buyers and press. I had a chance to stop by the pop-up showroom and found the line to be especially appealing to urbanite women who love to express themselves through fashion and jewelry.

The main inspiration behind the inaugural collection was to capture a moment in time, to evoke an emotional response. This is especially true of the story time rings, which were one of my favorite mini-collections.

Juxtaposition was also a recurring theme, the balance between emotional and feminine and bold at the same time. “Ring around the artist”, “I want metal candy”, “violet fever”, “royal rickshaw”, and “iron maiden” are the names of other mini-collections that maintains the balance between strong and feminine.

Another feature of the Olivia Stone collection is the mixed metal platings, which make the necklaces, bracelets, bangles and rings even more versatile. People get stuck wearing one uniform metal but these pieces mix gold, copper, silver with semi-precious stones and leather. Even with all of these features, the price points remain affordable.

My favorites? The rings from “ring around the artist” and “story time rings” are fun to add to your current jewelry stash. And they’re sure to be a conversation starter. The tri-tone leather chain, purple multi rose gold drama bracelet, cuff and stretch bangle, brown multi gold and ruthenium drama drop earrings, gold leather drop earrings, flex bracelet and square bangle bracelets are standout pieces.

Another event for you to look forward to in November (besides Thanksgiving, and my birthday ) is the Olivia Stone launch. Be sure to check back on the details of when and where the collection will be sold!

_the modman

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