reason number 538328853 why i wish i lived in new york city.

Okay. It seems only appropriate that I begin my senior journalism project, this blog, the day before one of the biggest/fantastic/anticipated nights in fashion industry history and the first official day of New York Fashion Week.

In 13 different countries, with the support of Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and NYC & Company, big cities will host Fashion's Night Out.

Fashion's Night Out, specifically in New York, will make thousands of peoples' hearts break with public appearances by world famous designers, editors and photographers, as well as one night only sales and opportunities for shoppers to participate in. Collaborators put this event together with the help of people like Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg (the president of the CFDA), to get the public excited about shopping and fashion again by getting them into the stores.

The buzz has echoed all the way over to Chicago, where a poor non-famous me only gets to read all the twitter updates and blog posts from the parties, events, and public appearances.

My highlights of FNO would be Patrick Demarchelier, the ridiculously famous photographer, shooting 100 of the most famous models for Vogue wearing the Fashion's Night Out t-shirt in front of the Bryant Park tents. Or perhaps Andre Leon Talley's hosting of a city wide game for Bergdorf Goodman with famous designers leading the teams and regular ol' folks getting to play for prizes. Or certainly Anna Wintour's Macy's appearance to sign t-shirts [wtf].

However, my personal favorite is the Opening Ceremony block party, where designers such as Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte and Alex Wang will be selling custom made, one of a kind designs out of the back of various cars on the block.

According to WWD, more than 700 retailers are participating in give aways, discounts, goody bags, public appearances, launches of new products, and various games. You can visit Fashion's Night Out online to see the specifics of all the participants and why you should cram each of them into your schedule.

A great deal of the proceeds of this world wide event are going to various charities, so it is not just to get people to spend their hard earned money for no reason. Forty percent of the t-shirt sales goes to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum fund. There is also a clothing drive with numerous drop offs around the city, and these donated items will go to 17 AIDS-related charities around New York.

To all of you who are so lucky enough to attend any of these fabulous events, I am sincerely jealous. Make your itineraries, and shop around all the events and giveaways planned. And say hi to Anna for me :)

UPDATE: Here's a slideshow from style.com documenting the wonder of FNO!

YET ANOTHER UPDATE: I know you all like slideshows. Here's another from New York Magazine.