'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

'Fashion's Night Out'

Have you ever wanted to hear the musical musings of Oscar de la Renta, or style tips with Alexander Wang and the designers of Proenza Schouler?

Ever wanted to introduce yourself to Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour?

You can do all this and more during Fashion’s Night Out!

The global fashion fest will hit all major cities Thursday, Sept. 10, an initiative hatched by editors and publishers last spring in Paris and then cultivated by all 13 Vogue editions.

Its primary focus: to shop, shop, shop!

‘Fashion’s Night Out is Vogue’s response to the notion that in these challenging times, certain kinds of pleasure, such as shopping, are impermissible,’ wrote Wintour in Vogue’s September letter from the editor.

And with pleasure comes business.

More than 300 retailers (from independent shops to global luxury houses) plan to stay open as late as 11 p.m., luring customers with music, giveaways and special appearances from designers, celebrities, models and magazine editors. Pop-up stores – like the one between Vogue and Macy’s, or Parisian boutique Merci and Gap – will be a onetime shopping experience.

In New York City, Fashion’s Night Out equates to an appearance by Isaac Mizrahi at Bergdorf Goodman and the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte selling clothes literally from a car trunk at their trunk show.

At the Stella McCartney store on 429 West Fourteenth Street, have some vegetarian food from a food truck parked outside and swap eco-fashion tips with Vogue fashion director Tonne Goodman.

Add a free pint to your tab at the Rag & Bone pop-up Irish pub, or a signature frocktail and some free pampering at Tracy Reese.

Aside from giving some much-needed business to retailers, Fashion’s Night Out has teamed up with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Community Trust to host a city-wide clothing drive for the NYC Aids Fund. Stores like Costume National and Dolce & Gabbana will have their own collection bin for new or gently used clothing donations.

Or purchase your own short- or long-sleeve Fashion’s Night Out tee ($30 or $35), with 40 percent of sales benefiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

For a complete listing of participating stores, visit fashionsnightsout.com

I've marked my calendar. Have you?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of fashionsnightout.com and vogue.com