Some of the fashion industry's biggest names have lent their hand to help the women's organization, Women In Need by putting their designer touch on mini cardboard houses.
The list includes: Justin Timberlake for William Rast, Oscar de la Renta, Isaac Mizrahi, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg and Bobbi Brown.
If you want to snag yourself one of the little houses, the auction you have until November 30th. All the money raised from this event will help Women In Need provide housing for homeless women and their families.
Some of them are so cute and incredibly detailed for such a small project!
Which one do U like???
Or is it the other way around?
This past Tuesday night Valentino decided to throw a small little party to celebrate the DVD release of his documentary The Last Emperor with some of his friends including Hugh Jackman, Adrien Brody, Brian Grazer, Stephen Daldry, Martha Stewart, Marc Jacobs, Thakoon Panichgul, and Diane von Furstenberg.
Oh and we can't forget Madonna!
Madge showed up just after 11pm, where her lover Jesus Luz just so happened to be deejaying.
Hmm, wonder how he got that job?
Madonna even made her way to the dance floor and grinded up on Bravo's Andy Cohen. Everyone eventually followed the Material Girl's lead including Valentino!
Sounds like some party!
[Image via AP Images.]
Happy News!
Fashion's Night Out will return next year, bringing the fun and festivities to shoppers worldwide once again.
Despite initial reports that the endeavor was "not incredible from a business point of view," as Barneys creative director Simon Doonan put it, the event actually turned out to be quite successful.
"The numbers are in, and it's clear that Fashion's Night Out was a tremendous success," according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He goes to say that, "Thousands of New Yorkers attended the events in all five boroughs, supporting the city's retail and fashion industries, and helping a worthwhile cause. It's sure to be an even bigger event in 2010."
According to an independent study conducted by ShopperTrak, in the 700+ stores that stayed open that night, foot traffic increased by 50%. A survey done by marketing and tourism organization, NYC & Co., concluded that 75% of shoppers made at least one purchase that night, two-thirds of consumers visited stores they had never been to before, and 61% left their normal dwellings to explore neighborhoods outside where they work or live.
Prolific designer and CFDA president, Diane von Furstenberg, said: "To have designers in stores to celebrate and start a shopping season is the best idea for everyboyd. It creates excitement and lots of business."
Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who hatched the scheme for FNO, said "We were absolutely bowled over by the response to Fashion's Night Out. It was only 15 minutes after the event began, and we were getting reports about lines around the block at stores throughout the city. It was wonderful to see people embrace this initiative, and we are thrilled that they wish it to return."
Exciting! The second annual Fashion's Night Out event will take place September 9, 2010. Can't wait!
[Image via WENN.]
Diane von Furstenberg is in Madrid but isn't having the most restful vacation: the designer Tweeted yesterday that she was robbed outside the Thyssen Museum! The crook took her he wallet, cash and all her credit cards. We hope she gets them back!!
Time to switch to traveler's checks!
Yikes!
P.S. CLICK HERE to "follow" Perez on Twitter.
[Image via WENN.]
Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg and Nanette Lepore attended a rally on Wednesday to support New York's Garment Center.
The center's future is looking grim due to zoning laws, which is causing retailers and suppliers to lose their leases while new condos and offices are quickly taking up the space.
Yikes!
Nanette Lepore feels the corporate take over of the area will make the historic Midtown West "look like every other city in America - it will be one big playgrounf from 42nd street down to the entrance of the High Linre. You'll have Chi-Chi's and Olive Gardens and Marriott Marquis and people walking around with big slushies like they do in Las Vegas. I mean, come on - do we need that?"
No they don't! Besides, isn't that what the tourist trap of Times Square is for???
Lepore isn't scared of making this political, either. "It's not fair that a few men can change the face of American fashion because they want out of the rules they have to play by."
Many are blaming this whole thing on Mayor Michael Bloomberg, even though he helped with September's Fashion Night Out.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer agrees that "It is suicide to mess with the Garment Center. It is simply suicide for the city."
Ouch!
A fashion industry insider also took a jab at other designers that were noticeably absent from the rally, which included Donna Karan, Nicole Miller and Marc Jacobs. Says the insider: "A lot of the high-end designers don't think this will affect them. It will be the up-and-coming brands that die out. The names in Bergdorf's and Saks aren't going anywhere, and those labels know it."
With everything going on with the recession and it's effects on retail sales, this is the last thing the fashion industry needs!
[Image via AP Images.]
