In 2009, Anna Wintour, fashion icon and editor in chief of American Vogue, announced the launch of Fashion's Night Out (FNO), a mass shopping festival organized to not only celebrate but also help keep the fashion industry vibrant in a declining economy. New York's first FNO, which took place just in time for the fall-winter season, proved fashion was still very much alive, with the city's retailers experiencing an increase in foot traffic of an estimated 50 percent.
A global event, FNO was also launched in other countries, and this year, 16 cities, from Paris and Athens to Shanghai and Seoul, are participating throughout September. Each city has chosen an original draw for consumers and the dates of events differ slightly — good news for jet-setters who might want to attend several FNOs across the world.
New York has been live-broadcasting fashion shows since Sept. 7 and consumers will be able to buy runway items on Sept. 10 at the New York Night Out. Moscow is holding a charity dinner and auction in memory of the late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, while Tokyo is promoting an array of special, limited-edition fashion items. Vogue Nippon Chief Editor Mitsuko Watanabe says that FNO 2010 Tokyo will offer consumers items from various well-known brands and designers, including Rem Koolhaas-designed T-shirts from Prada and Michael Kors' "Micheal Kors (heart) Toyko" tote bags.