'Fashion Mayhem'

It may be too soon to tell whether rubbing elbows with Eric Damon, costume designer for ‘Gossip Girl,’ or the Olsen twins at Bergdorf Goodman last night for Fashion’s Night Out really garnered sales for New York City retailers.

After all, someone had to pay the shop girls for their extra hours of work and make sure the cocktails and the champagne kept coming.

The global shopping spree spanning 13 countries did, however, generate the kind of frenzy and excitement that had been lacking ever since the Wall Street abandoned ship in 2007. New York City shoppers had not one, but 300 participating stores willing to stay open until 11 p.m. and cater to a smattering of celebrities.

Some highlights:

- Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi judged a cook-off on Bergdorf’s seventh floor between Cynthia Rowley, Peter Som and Lela Rose.

- An autograph signing by designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo at Barney’s.- Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman challenged his customers to a ping-pong match.

- Charlize Theron made a pit stop at Dior; Kate Hudson visited the Stella McCartney store; and Justin Timberlake made an appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue.

But here in New York, Fashion’s Night Out was just a sample of what will hopefully be in store during Fashion Week. Although Fashion Week officially kicked off yesterday with a few low key designers (with the exception of BCBGMaxAzria and perhaps Ports 1961), be prepared for extended coverage on happenings and shows like Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg and Zac Posen by yours truly!

Already the tabloids are buzzing with news that there will be an afterparty after the Marc Jacobs show, which was canceled last year for financial reasons. This time the afterparty is back and to be co-hosted by Lady Gaga.

Will this year’s Fashion Week hold true to all the hype? The pressure is on.

-S. Gonzalez