Gant – HomoCouture.Com

#FNO Fashion’s Night Out 2011

By Ibrahim Malik

(FNO) Fashion’s Night Out is fashion’s biggest global party,celebrated by all. Whether you’re a Designer, stylist, celebrity, fashion editor or just a everyday shopper, everyone comes together to celebrate FASHION in all its essence. Essentially FNO is the ULTIMATE shopping experience. American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour detailed that in 2009 FNO was created to “celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy during the recession”.

My FNO journey began in the Heart of Couture AKA 5th Avenue in NYC. My 1st stop was to see what Karl Lagerfeld was up to over at Fendi and with no disappointments, I enjoyed myself immensely. Like most of the Designers and Retailers that I visited, champagne, cocktails and wine flowed freely, accompanied with Live DJ’s playing the hottest music. The mass crowds took in the Fall 2011 Collections while schmoozing with the many Fashionista’s and Fashion Victims alike.

Fifth Avenue boasted fashions from Fendi, Gant, Ermenegildo Zegna, Diesel, Zara, Elizabeth Arden and Escada. During my tour of 5th Avenue I caught up with upcoming Designer Edixon Valdez and he is launching his S/S 12 Collections on September 14th. So check him out at edixonvaldez.com

Soon after me and a fellow HC contributor Stephfon Guidry headed downtown to the infamous SoHo. The essence of FNO extended past store doors. The city subways were flooded with Fashionista’s, during our ride downtown we met several aspiring designers and stylists and students from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons. SoHo was a colossal block party. It was literally a street Fashion Show where everyone exposed their personal style and fashions without remorse. I visited Designers and Retailers such as Paul Smith London, Ralph Lauren, Mont Blanc, Jill Stuart, Bloomingdale’s, H&M, Guess by Marciano, & Ben Sherman. It was an amazing night of fashion, cocktails and celebration, and I wish everyone a Happy Fashion Week!