Chicago Wants in on Fashion’s Night Out!

After the first successful run of Fashion’s Night Out last year, the second celebration of fashion retailers and consumer shopping is right around the corner except this year, Chicago is not missing out! Mayor Daley explains that this is a big move for Chicagoans because, as an up-and-coming style-forward city, it really proves that we are committed to the art of fashion and want to be considered one of the top shopping destinations. Chicago department stores like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks, along with retailers like The Shops at North Bridge and Water Tower Place will all be included in FNO. Take advantage of the extended hours and in-store perks that will help to bring retailers and shoppers of the Chicagoland area together in the celebration of fashion! - Leigh Loosbrock

Take a look at the events below!

Blake Standard with Perchance Boutique, Kaveri, Cinnamon Boutique and Riley Boutique.
On Friday, September 10 in honor of Fashion’s Night Out and in order to celebrate the first Blake Standard fall shipments at four Chicago boutiques, Blake Standard is treating its biggest fans. Blake Standard is giving gift certificates to four local restaurants when shoppers purchase any new Blake Standard fall pieces. At Perchance shoppers will receive $10.00 to Southport Grocery, at Kaveri $10.00 to Kith & Kin, at Cinnamon shoppers will be rewarded with $10.00 to Volo and at Riley they will receive $10.00 to Feast. “We are excited to be a part of this worldwide fashion industry event,” says Creative Director Pierre Colorado. Celebrate the first of the fall 2010 arrivals and get in on the Fashion’s Night Out festivities with Blake Standard. The offer is valid for the entire day, and includes only the purchase of Blake Standard pieces while supplies last.

Macy’s at Water Tower Place
835 N. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago IL, 60611
6-11pm
Receive mini-spa treatments from Lush Cosmetics while grooving to today's hottest tunes and enjoying sips and sweets. The party continues in the shoe department where shoppers will receive a special gift with purchases from Carlos Santana, Franco Sarto, and Via Spiga. Visit the Impulse Department to receive some special gifts with a purchase from Joe's Jeans and more. Macy’s guests will end the evening getting their photo taken on the cover of a VOGUE magazine.

Macy’s on State Street
111 N. State Street,
Chicago IL, 60602
10am-11pm
Macy's on State Street is hosting an unprecedented shopping experience full of fun, festivities and most importantly, fashion! Shoppers are welcome to start the day off with the 10th annual Distinction in Design Competition. Beginning at 10 a.m., all Chicago area designers are invited to present samples/sketches to a panel of Macy’s top industry insiders and gain valuable insight. At 10 p.m. the Macy’s team will announce a Best-of-Show awarded with a $1,000 cash prize and a Runner-Up awarded with a $500 cash prize. From 6 to 11 p.m., Macy’s special guest Vicki Gunvalson, of The Real Housewives of Orange County will be on hand to gift customers who spend more than $75 a signed copy of her best selling book “More Than A Housewife.” Attendees of Fashion’s Night Out at Macy’s on State Street can also shop collections from Chicago-based designers and the Chicago Fashion Incubator 2010 Designers-in Residence fall collections. Guests are welcome to sip and snack while watching models in this season’s hottest looks. Shop and receive special gifts with purchases from Joe's Jeans, Carlos Santana, Franco Sarto, Via Spiga, Michael Michael Kors and many more.

Neiman Marcus
737 N. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60611
6-8pm
Michelle Alegria of WLS-TV’s 190 North’s will be on hand at 7 p.m. to emcee a Fall 2010 trends fashion show. Guests will have the opportunity to sample local fair and receive a makeover from Estee Lauder. Designer Taryn Rose will also be on hand to present her new line of shoes, Haute Footure. Nordstrom 520 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60611 6-10pm Don’t miss Fashions Night Out at Nordstrom Michigan Avenue, where the entire store will be buzzing with fashionable activities. Shop exclusive collections from TOMS shoes, William Rast, Burberry Cosmetics and more. Learn the latest beauty tips and tricks from our team of beauty experts, get the inside scoop on special products and gifts available only that day, and receive an exclusive gift with purchase all at our Girls Getting Gorgeous party. Enter for a chance to win a signed Michael Buble suit from one of his live concerts, and a Golden Ticket Fashion Experience full of everything you need to start the season in style including a $2,500 shopping spree, closet makeover with a Nordstrom Personal Stylist and a one-year subscription to Vogue. Plus, enjoy a DJ, fun treats and other special surprises along the way.

Saks Fifth Avenue
700 and 717 N. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago IL, 60611
6-10pm
Celebrate Fashion’s Night Out at Saks Fifth Avenue’s Main Store and Men’s Store with a night of shopping, cocktails, live entertainment, complimentary rock ‘n’ roll makeovers, and more. Enjoy the Rock Out and Make Up Event on the first floor, and a Contemporary Fashion Show on the fifth floor. DJs and informal modeling will run throughout the evening. Customers can enjoy complimentary blow-outs from the Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue. Shop with a MasterCard® and receive an exclusive rock ‘n’ roll play list. Retail Destinations The Shops at North Bridge 520 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60611 6-9pm Shop ‘til you drop at The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue. Shoppers are invited to spend the evening partaking in exclusive in-store events, and take in Fall’s hottest trends from Nordstrom, Kenneth Cole, Stuart Weitzman, Armani Exchange, Swarovski and more at a runway fashion show starting at 6:30 p.m. The evening will be filled with one-night only shopping incentives, gifts with purchases and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

Water Tower Place
835 N Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60611
5-9pm
Guests will enjoy shopping incentives, mini makeovers and massages, cocktails, hors d’ouvres and live entertainment. Models will be showcasing the latest Fall 2010 fashions. Every customer who spends $150 or more will receive and exclusive Fashion’s Night Out tote bag plus two tickets to the dress rehearsal of TRACES at Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse.

For more information about Fashion’s Night Out in Chicago visit www.chicagofashionresource.com or www.fashionsnightout.com, powered by QVC.

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Julie Watson at p.45: Cleanin' Out Your Closet

Julie Watson

Julie Watson (center)

No woman likes to clean her closet. She hoards every piece she bought from that Barney's warehouse sale eight years ago, with that desperate hope that she’ll fit into those skinny jeans ten pounds later, or that the shredded belly-tee will come back with time.

Thank goodness for Julie Watson, who teamed up with venerated boutique p.45 last week for their August event called “Closet Cleanout: Tips and Tricks From an Expert.” Watson’s personal shopping and image consulting company, Julie Watson Style, is grounded on one huge leap of faith: editing the closet.

“There’s a lot of soul-searching when it comes to cleaning out your closet, so we’re going to hold hands and get there together,” she assured the crowd. “There’s going to be a little tough love going on.”

The night was originally set up to be a roundtable discussion, but thanks to Watson’s popularity and p.45’s loyal customer base, the boutique received over 80 RSVPs. Women stood rapt with attention in the newly remodeled store as Watson discussed practical ways to create a clean, mature palette for the new season, and how to “shop” from one’s closet as if they would shop at their favorite boutique.
The mood was casual and inviting: p.45’s founder Tricia Tunstall, junior partner Judy Yin Keller and Watson chatted with new faces and regular clients, giving style tips and showing off new merchandise. Women drank rosé and nibbled on cheese while shopping the collection, all of which was 20 percent off.

“I say it from the bottom of my heart that p.45 is probably one of my favorites, if not my favorite boutique in Chicago,” said Watson, ”not only because of the collections that they offer, but because of the way that their philosophy is exactly the same as mine.”

That philosophy is that fashion is for everybody, that regardless of size of style, age or preference. P.45’s carefully selected and eclectic collection reflects this promotion of individualism, through everything from Inhabit knits to Ulla jackets; Rebecca Taylor dresses to Elijah tops.

“Each piece is a canvas,” said Junior Partner Judy Yin Keller. “We always want customers to pick a piece and make it their own.”

The store prides itself in 11 years of close and devoted partnerships with fresh designers who have matured with the store. They carried Phillip Lim when he was working for Development. They picked up Rebecca Taylor and Michelle Mason before they became household names. It’s no wonder that p.45 is considered the pioneering boutique in Chicago.
“Chicago has grown up tons,” said Tunstall. “When we started 11 years ago, there were not a lot of boutiques anywhere in the city. Now there are amazing boutiques in every neighborhood.”

P.45 plans to hold a roundtable event on style every month this year. “I think people want to get out, and they want to do something different,” said Tunstall. “We want to offer something educational to our customers.” September will be a discussion on branching into a new wardrobe for fall.
-Grace Bahk