Vogue Fashion’s Night Out: Free opening ceremony Pitt Street Mall 5.30pm September 8

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vogue t 1.jpgThe world’s biggest fashion and shopping event, Vogue Fashion’s Night Out (VFNO), will illuminate Sydney’s CBD shopping precinct on Thursday September 8.

Following the success of last year’s event and the upgrading of Sydney’s retail precinct as a world-class shopping destination, 600 retailers have confirmed their participation, up from 400 who took part in 2010.

The FREE event is open to all members of the public and promises to be even bigger and better than last year.

Vogue Fashion’s Night Out was initiated by Condé Nast in 2009 with the intention of supporting retailers and designers by creating an engaging shopping party experience for shoppers.

Now in its third year globally, Fashion’s Night Out in 2011 will see 18 capital cities take part including New York, Paris, London, Milan and Sydney.

In Sydney the event is again supported by the City of Sydney and for the first time, Destination NSW, Westfield Sydney, Gordon’s Gin and Smirnoff will partner with Vogue as major sponsors.

Hosted by Vogue Australia Editor-in-Chief Kirstie Clements, the event is expected to attract thousands of shoppers to Sydney’s CBD and commences with a public opening ceremony at 5.30pm in Pitt Street Mall.

Ms Clements will appear onstage together with Grant Pearce, Men’s Fashion Director Condé Nast Hong Kong, VFNO ambassador Jessica Gomes, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Westfield Group managing director Australia and New Zealand, Robert Jordan.

Following the official launch, most of the 600 participating retailers will host in-store shopping events and special offers:

Myer Sydney City invites shoppers to celebrate VFNO with extended trading hours, special offers and the chance to meet some of their designers including Kym Ellery, Nicola Finetti and Fleur Wood.

In Castlereagh Street Tiffany & Co. will host a “Studio 57 at Tiffany & Co.” party, in reference to the iconic New York nightclub, Studio 54.

In Martin Place, Paspaley will celebrate with a “Paspaley Polo in the City” party in its

flagship store. The event dubbed “Pearls, Pimms and Polo” will welcome five international polo players and their ponies, including New Zealand heart-throb Sam Hopkinson.

In Pitt Street Mall, shoppers at Bally will indulge in Courvoisier cognac, delicious desserts and Swiss punch with a retrospective event to celebrate 160 years of the label.

Over at Westfield Sydney, the countryside comes to town with foxes, feathers, woodlands and wonderful creatures at the Mulberry store where guests will enjoy berry mojitos, toadstool cupcakes, face painting and goodie bags.

At the Hermés store in Elizabeth Street, stylist Romy Frydman will be in store to “frame” guests in Hermés silk.

Shoppers at David Jones will experience a wonderful evening of fashion events, designer appearances, offers and workshops.

Pitt Street Mall will be at the heart of Fashion’s Night Out. Commencing at 6.30pm Westfield Sydney will host a MasterChef Live challenge which will see celebrity chefs Alessandro Pavoni and David Tsirekas partner with Australian designers Leona Edmiston and Fleur Wood to cook up a storm in a “mystery box” cook-off.

Once the MasterChef winner is announced the party will really heat up when Ruby Rose hits the stage from 7pm to DJ.

Also in Pitt Street Mall, one of the tastiest pop-ups on the night will be the KitchenAid Fashion Cupcakery where shoppers can indulge in Vogue-themed cupcakes by KitchenAid.

The popular car boot sale is on again in Martin Place. Sponsored by Hyundai who will showcase its latest überinnovative model the i40 Tourer, some of Australia’s coolest labels including Woodford & Co., Karla Spetic, Manning Cartell, Alice McCall, Seventh Wonderland, and Yummie Bodywear will sell exclusive one-offs and samples. A dedicated Fashion Targets Breast Cancer car will offer the official VFNO T-shirt and Glasshouse

candle. Sales from both will support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Not to be missed, the Mad Men-themed Vogue Lounge will be located at level 2 Westfield Sydney where the Vogue fashion team and Jessica Gomes will host designers, models and fashion-insiders for Smirnoff and Gordon’s cocktails. Entry to the Vogue Lounge is free and all shoppers are welcome.

In a world first, Vogue Australia has collaborated with designer Diane von Furstenberg to create the commemorative Vogue Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt which will be on sale for $25 from the DVF store in Westfield Sydney on the night as well as at the cat boot sale. Sales of the T-shirt support the VFNO charity of choice Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Vogue Australia will debut its FREE, fashion finding, location-based iPhone application entitled VOGUE VIP at VFNO. The app delivers expert tips and premium offers on shopping and fashion, and is now available to download from the iTunes store.

Says Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements: “I’m super excited about Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. We held our first one last year, but this year it will be bigger and better, especially now all of the construction is finished. More than 600 retailers are participating and planning lots of exciting in-store events and incentives – it’s going to be a very fun and glamorous shopping event like no other.”

The official Vogue Fashion’s Night Out Map will be available in the October issue of Vogue Australia on sale September 7.