By Ian MacFarland
Fashion’s Night Out, a worldwide one-night event intended to give a boost to the recession-slammed fashion industry, returns to Queens Friday as the city partners with designers and Vogue magazine to bring chic celebrations to department stores, malls and boutiques throughout the five boroughs.
“Fashion and retail is part of the very fabric of New York City — supporting 175,000 jobs and pumping $10 billion into our economy annually,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in announcing the city’s expanded program for 2010. “With a growing number of locations participating in Fashion’s Night Out and the largest public fashion show in city history, we are offering consumers more opportunities to see all the city’s retailers and designers have to offer and helping to strengthen our economy in these tough times.”
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, stores around the city will stay open late and offer various sales, specials, refreshments and live entertainment.
The centerpiece of Queens’ contribution is the Queens Center Mall, as it was last year when legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour ventured down Queens Boulevard to make an appearance at Macy’s.
“It’s your chance to unleash your inner fashionista,” a mall spokeswoman said in a release.
Participating stores in the mall include Macy’s, JCPenney, Swarovski, Banana Republic, Sephora, Bare Escentuals, Steve Madden, Wild Pair, Aerosoles, White HouseBlack Market, Natural Look Aveda Salon, Cohen’s Fashion Optical, The Body Shop, Maestro, Sunglass Hut, Papaya and Swatch.
A number of boutiques around Queens will be taking part in the festivities as well. Ethereal Boutique in Long Island City is planning a party with DJ Winter Santos, a gallery opening for fashion illustrator Sarah J. Dahl and a fashion show, in addition to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
KrisTEES in Astoria will also host a fashion show for two local designers while offering refreshments and a retro jazz soundtrack, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Kristie Foster, the boutique’s owner, said she was optimistic about Fashion’s Night Out despite people’s lingering economic doldrums.
“Last year the event was really great for me,” she said. “However, I made sure to promote locally, which I think made a huge difference in making the night successful … It’s harder than ever before to predict in this economy what is going to happen, but I think with all of the FNO marketing surrounding the night that shopping enthusiasts will be out looking for one very special item or several of their first special purchases for the fall, and from KrisTEES.”
Other boutiques keeping their doors open late are Malawi in Flushing, and Yannely Diaz in Corona.

If You Go
Fashion’s Night Out
Queens Center Mall: 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
Banana Republic: Join us for a celebration of style. Shop the newest arrivals and receive shopping incentives on full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last.
Bare Escentuals: Stop by Bare Escentuals and leave gorgeous in our hottest fall look featuring new High Shine Eyecolors. Enjoy deluxe samples, sweet treats and extended hours — all in the name of fashion.
Macy’s: Various counters and retailers offering specials. Personal appearance by Kimora Lee Simmons of Baby Phat . Celebrate Kouture by Kimora with Kimora. Strut your stuff on a fabulous BabyPhat-inspired catwalk. Contestants will be judged by Kimora herself and the winner will be judged on who best represents Kouture. Additionally, enjoy informal modeling, refreshments and special FNO giveaways.
Swarovski: Stop by the Swarovski boutique to shop dazzling jewelry and accessories, sip champagne and nosh on decadent chocolate. Plus, receive a crystal tattoo in celebration of Fashion’s Night Out, a gift with any $100 purchase and the chance to win an amazing prize! There will also be a special gift for anyone who stops by.
Swatch: Spend $100 or more and receive a special gift with purchase. One gift with purchase per customer.
The Body Shop: Spend $100 or more and receive a special gift with purchase. One gift with purchase per customer.
Web site: shopqueenscenter.com
Ethereal Boutique: 47-38 Vernon Boulevard #1l, Long Island City. A chic party including DJ Winter Santos (named the hottest Latina DJ of NYC by the New York Post); gallery opening featuring dazzling bi-coastal artist Sarah J. Dahl who illustrates for Joseph Abboud; trunk show by two new upcoming designers Sarah and Suruzi founders of The Blank; refreshing cocktails and scrumptious hors ‘doeuvres served by stylish gentlemen.
Web site: www.etherealnyc.com
Contact: 718-482-8884, ethereal.boutique.lic@gmail.com
KrisTEES: 24-01 23rd Ave., Astoria. Guests will enjoy the new fall collections and view a mini trunk show by two local designers. Through out the night retro jazz tunes will be spun live and refreshments will be served. Festivities are from 5 to 11PM.
Web site: www.kristeesny.com
Contact: 718-204-5031
Malawi: 187-22 Union Turnpike, Flushing. Eddie’s Pizza Truck of “Entourage” fame will be making custom bar pies with a $50 purchase. Yummy! Also, 10 percent of the night’s receipts will be donated to the Beacon High School music program, whose rock band will be performing around 8:30 p.m.
Contact: 718-454-9699
Yannely Diaz: 34-15 97th St., Corona. FNO collection available in store.
Web site: www.facebook.com/ms.y.diaz
Contact: 347-806-0242
Banana Republic: 71-18 Austin St., Forest Hills. Shop the newest arrivals and get 25 percent off full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last.
Web site: www.bananarepublic.com
For more: www.fashionsnightout.com
