With all the buzz about Fashion’s Night Out this fall, it feels like Fashion is turning 21 and throwing a five borough party to celebrate. Whether you choose to join the kickoff festivities, shop a pop-up, cull through vintage clothes, attend an indie runway show, or donate your used digs, this guide to the best fashion fetes will get you through the next week—and with a wardrobe that’ll last you much longer.
1. Spend a Night With: Macy’s | Sept. 10th, 6-11 p.m. | 24202 61st Ave., Queens | macys.com
Deets: the official Fashion’s Night Out Party kicks off at Macy’s Douglaston in Queens. Join the crowd of fashionistas as the event marks the official start of more than 700 designers, retailers, and brands lobbying you back to the stores where they feel your hard earned dollars belong. If you’re not in Queen’s, don’t fret, no borough will be left behind. The Downtown Brooklyn, Staten Island and Parkchester, Bronx locations will be hosting their very own shop-late-till-you-drop event as part of the evening’s citywide clothing drive. All donations will benefit the New York City AIDS Fund.
Why You’ll Be Turning Heads: Macy’s is a participating retailer of The official Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt, 40% of proceeds go to National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.
2. Spend a Night With: Market Publique | Sept. 10th, 5-11p.m. | 177 N. 10th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | marketpublique.com
Deets: The well-designed and curated online vintage store may be new to the marketplace (six months old) but its chief collector and co-founder Pamela Castillo isn’t. The Guatemalan vintage collector began amassing a love for 50’s dresses and runway style clutches at a young age—even rocking her grandmother’s Gucci bags at 12. When Castillo’s husband challenged her to turn her online shopping angst into action, Voila! Market Publique was born with cult allure. The new contender in the online marketplace is “intimate but not a flea, handpicked and styled properly,” said Castillo. This Thursday, the shop is throwing their official launch party with cupcakes and champagne. Time to sip the bubbly and let your wallet feel the buzz. Or sip the bubbly and let your wallet sweeten your closet.
Why You’ll Be Turning Heads: Castillo’s pop-up will be sourced with threads from her own collection, while the Williamsburg seamster will be in store to size up aficionados for custom fitting.
3. Spend a Night With: 4PLAYBK | Sept. 13th, 6-10 p.m. | 339 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Deets: Park Slope’s women’s fashion store, 4PLAYBrooklyn, has teamed up with local bar, The Dram Shop to host a one-night-only fund raising event for Keep a Child Alive. The Brooklyn-based non-profit gives 100% of its donations and goods to those suffering from the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Stop in, shop a bit, grab a beer, and help a life.
Why You’ll Be Turning Heads: Fashionable clothing priced too low to leave any kind of dent in your pocketbook.
4. Spend a Day With: Second Annual Superstar DJ Record Fair + Vintage Fashion Bazaar | Sept. 13th | brooklynflea.com
Deets: This Sunday, 30 DJ’s will return to spin records at the Brooklyn Flea while you sift through recycled frippery from the likes of Vintage Loft NYC, Estate of Art Vintage lifestyle, and Treasures + Pleasures. Record Fair vendors will DJ on the Flea sound system for 20 minutes, selling their records on the spot. “Music and fashion go together, it will feel like one big block party under the Archway,” said the Flea’s Eric Demby. Get ready to listen and buy clothes on DJ records on the spot.
Why You’ll be Turning Heads: It’s a bazaar, so expect the music finds to be as serious as the clothes, including cameos from former Nolita vintage boutique, I HEART NYC and DJ’s Rehka, db, Ulyssess, and McBoing Boing.
5. Spend Two Nights With: Brooklyn Fashion Festival | Sept 18-19th | brooklynfashionfestival.com
Deets: Now that indie music venue, The Knitting Factory has officially relocated to the ‘burg, it’s lending its name and space to its first ever fashion showcase. The public event will present collections on a theater style runway where eight designers will present the best to come in indie fashion. Friday, Jade Chiu will show her Chinese-Western fusion garbs, while James Yoest will debut sustainable designs with a social theme. On Saturday, visual artist Olek will make a special appearance along with a showing by Brazil’s Maira Santos ready-to-wear collection, plus party dresses by Linney Warren. There’ll be plenty of places to wear those this fall. “Every runway show has its place, this one is for the public and is accessible to those who love fashion and want to see it,” said Tom McAlister, co-organizer of the event.
Why You’ll Be Turning Heads: Expect a fur-free spectacle show presenting hand-sewn and dyed recycled garments whose limited run you’ll careen over. Buyers stay poised.
How to get there: All venues are accessible by subway or bike. Use the hopstop link below for specific directions.
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