I finally have photos from Fashion's Night Out to share with you!
Just a litle background — Vogue started Fashion's Night Out last fall, in response to the failing economy. It's basically an excuse for stores to stay open late, have a big party and kick off fall shopping. Last year it only really happened in New York stores (coinciding with the start of Fashion Week), but this year shops all around the world participated.
I had the pleasure of styling a fall fashion presentation for Neiman Marcus's Fashion's Night Out party, which also included a fashion sketch contest (the winner got a $500 gift card!), photo booth and customized cupcakes.
With free reign over the entire store, I pulled together 12 looks that focused on the following trends: military, green, vests/capes/ponchos, lace, fur, boots, pearls, pantsuits, feathers and structured handbags. One by one, the models came on-stage and I talked about the designers and trends that made up each outfit. The crowd seemed really into it, and I felt like I was chatting with a roomful of girlfriends. It was so much fun.
Below are some shot photographer Cody Lidtke took that evening. Bear with me here — I threw away my notes after the show, so I'm not going to be able to remember exactly which designers went with which item, but I'll try.
Megan looked so amazing in this opening outfit. I loved the flirty, Robbi & Nikki feather skirt, preppy green cardigan and over-the-knee boots. This was my "business up top; party on the bottom" outfit.
Here's Cana in a sleek chambray blouse, leather pants and a rabbit-fur vest. Those Christian Louboutin pumps have a non-functional zipper up the back of the heel that made the crowd erupt in a simultaneous "Ooooh!" And a classic Prada handbag polishes off the look.
Next up was Laura in a casual, layered look. I was so delighted to find green jeggings that worked with the green trend I was demonstrating. Her shirt and blazer are both by Elizabeth & James, one of my favorite labels. I honestly never could've predicted Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's brand would be this succesful, but their designs really do speak for themselves.
Shelby pulled off this evening look perfectly, rocking a lacy little black dress and Mongolian lamb vest with some chic, lace-up pumps and a Diane von Furstenberg studded clutch.
This turned out to be one of my favorite looks. I paired what's normally a conservative St. John jacket (part of a pantsuit) with a silky cream blouse, skinny jeans, boots and some pearls. Jacket + pearls = old money. Boots + jeans = young and hip. Together = fabulous.
Cana looked stunning in this lacy black evening gown with a jewel-encrusted clutch and Christian Louboutin peep-toes.
Okay, this might be my favorite look from the evening. Laura looked so foxy in this scalloped-edge blouse, leather vest, black leggings with leather up the sides, and Stuart Wietzman rabbit-fur boots. Love, love, love.
Can you tell that I like vests? I was pretty excited for an excuse to style them. Here's Shelby in another casual, daytime look. She has on a lace-front blouse, lambswool vest, gray jeggings, wedge boots and a chain-strap, cross-body bag by Tory Burch.
I got so many questions about this cream cut-out blouse after the show. So many that I can tell you with certainty that it's by Elie Tahari and it's gorgeous. I liked pairing it with something rough and casual like these olive green cargo pants, cuffed at the ankle.
Here's Cana's second little-black-dress of the night, except it's actually a skirt and blouse with a thick black belt tying them together. She took off her green, military-inspired jacket to reveal cute feather details on her shoulder. How much do you love her bitchin' Diane von Furstenberg hobo bag? I'm obsessed.
In addition to the Elie Tahari blouse, this military-inspired blazer was a big hit. I wish I could remember who the designer was! I dressed it down with a white t-shirt, boyfriend jeans and some cute brown sandals.
Here was the final look of the night — blazer, blouse, t-shirt, boyfriend jeans and the most amazing clogs ever, by Chanel. I swear those things must've weighed ten pounds each. They were hands down the chunkiest clogs I've ever come across. So, of course they had to be in the show!
All in all, it was magical evening. I was so flattered that Neiman Marcus asked me to participate. It gave me the opportunity to flex my styling muscles and to plan for my own fall wadrobe. Speaking of which, I have a post in the works detailing some additional trends I'm excited about. They're a bit more specific than Neiman's trends, but still super versatile. Coming soon!
