Vogue London Fashion's Night Out

What is Fashion’s Night Out? I think CNBC said it best: “late night shopping combined with champagne, give-aways and celebrity sightings.” FNO was an invention of Vogue magazine, intended to boost sales during a mega recession (in 2008). As far as I'm concerned, FNO is a night to waltz into high-end stores where I could have no intention of spending money and might, at any other time, have been despised by salespeople who work for commission - and be handed a free drink. 

In other words, it’s like Halloween for shopaholics: going door-to-door to various department stores, flagship stores, and other retailers expecting treats, i.e. cocktails.

  

Armed with three enthusiastic roommates, comfortable shoes, and indefatigable optimism, I boarded the Tube at Waterloo for Green Park.  We began our night at the bottom of frenzied Bond Street. Our first stop was Alexander McQueen.

We mingled among posh, fashionable Londoners and fellow dreamers (poor university students). We sipped purple cocktails in martini glasses. We admired the texture of the clothes, the smell of candles, and the visual displays. At one point, my sensory overload was so complete and overwhelming that I nearly cried. I had to grab onto a £1,150 Knuckle Box Clutch until I regained my composure. One of my roommates, Kristina, bought the signature FNO London t-shirt. 

Next stop: DKNY. More cocktails, more music, another give-away. We were quickly tempted back onto the street by rumors of champagne at Burberry. At an information booth, the volunteers directed us towards 21-23 New Bond St and offered us free Starbucks coffee. It was the ideal time for a coffee break, and we stayed outside for a while enjoying the weather that night, which was warm and mild. Ultimately, we re-entered the crowds of crazed fashionistas swarming in Burberry. My tall, blonde roommate Amy gravitated towards a luxurious lace trench coat, which she absolutely had to try on. She promptly lost her ability to speak simple English. Not surprising. 

In Longchamp, we sipped glasses of fizzy champagne before our first celebrity sighting in London - Gwenyth Paltrow leaving the opening of Coach's new store. 

At that point, it was getting late - stores were closing, and we needed to get home before the clock struck twelve (and the Tube shut down for the night).