WeHo Streets Become Runway for Fashion’s Night Out

West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau Street Team on the Blue Carpet!

This past Thursday, cities all around the country were transformed as stylemakers and trendsetters came out in full force to celebrate Fashion’s Night Out. The annual event was created in 2009 by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America to celebrate fashion and boost the retail industry. While the first event was held in New York, the idea quickly spread to 500 U.S. cities and 18 countries. 2012 marks West Hollywood’s 3^rd year of participation, and the best yet!

FNO attendees get their shop on

This year, there was no doubt that West Hollywood’s celebration took center stage for the Los Angeles area’s Fashion’s Night Out.  With hundreds of attendees, lines out boutique doors and an official afterparty that reached capacity within minutes, West Hollywood was definitely the place to be!

On West Melrose, boutiques Beckley and Kitson Melrose threw shopping events, and Balenciaga held a champagne reception to launch the new limited-edition “Pumpkin” accessories line by Nicolas Ghesquiere and Grace Coddington. The line was inspired by Coddington’s cat, Pumpkin, and the accessories feature her whimsical drawings of the cat modeling traditional Balenciaga outfits.

The FNO WeHo Pop-Up Lounge showcased several different businesses, including Ana Sophia Jewelry, Lenceria, KIN and SEAN (and a DJ).

Edible and non-edible goodies at Makeup Mandy

Melrose Avenue had a huge turnout with stores such as Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, Kelly Wearstler, Makeup Mandy, Ports 1961 and Theory holding events. While often the great drinks, talented DJs and amazing shopping steals were enough to draw revelers into the stores, some designers went above and beyond with their parties.

The line for DASH was out the door for the entire duration of the event. While perhaps some attendees visited in hopes of spotting a Kardashian sister or two, the boutique also offered cocktails, music, food and fashion trucks, pop-up designer booths, a black carpet photo booth and giveaways to the attending fashionistas.

Kelly Wearstler’s first event for Fashion’s Night Out was a huge success – guests enjoyed custom nail art from NCLA’s expert nail artists! The four designs were inspired by Wearstler’s Fall 2012 ready-to-wear, jewelry and home collections and featured vibrant and bold patterns. Trendsetters also got the opportunity to win prizes and receive décor tips from the designer herself!

Shoppers enjoy manicures!

Line outside DASH

Christian Louboutin

North Robertson Boulevard definitely put on the flashiest display of events. Christian Louboutin (literally) lit up the block when he turned his windows into X-ray light boxes for the “Discover What Lies Beneath Your Sole” themed event. Guests received private tarot card readings, enjoyed music from Daisy O’Dell and were the first to see Louboutin’s newest designs: ladies platform shoe, gentlemen’s slippers and an iPad case, all adorned with dragon tattoo embroidery.

For the second year in a row, 3.1 Phillip Lim threw one of the parties of the night. Lim’s “Kill the Night” themed celebration was a hit with an ice cream cart and open bar sponsorship from Svedka Pina Colada. Lucky shoppers received shopping incentives on Pre Fall and Fall 2012 collections, including signed copies of the “Kill the Night” comic book, gifts with purchase and a limited edition Fall 2012 scarf with every bag purchase.

John Varvatos, on the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, was full to the brim with excited shoppers. Varvatos’ epic chandelier set the mood lighting as guests sipped on sponsored Patron tequila – the “Varvato-Rita” was a huge hit and featured Patron Silver Tequila, Patron Citronge Orange Liqueur, lime and orange juices and agave syrup. Revelers also got the chance to model at the store’s “Who the Hell is John Varvatos” photo booth and received free t-shirts with $200 purchases.

Over on South Robertson Boulevard, stylemakers got more photo ops at Reiss and Robertson Celebrates! FNO. Other participating designers included Gregory’s, Kitson Men and Kitson Studio, who threw a VIP party in the Kitson courtyard.

Sunset Plaza also stayed open after-hours, with designers BCBG Max Azria, Nicole Miller and Calypso St. Barth hosting events. The Sunset Plaza locations were the best to hit up last, because after shoppers finished making their rounds at the designer shopping hub, they were already close to The Standard Hollywood!

Afterparty guests enjoy their swag bags

Although the official afterparty technically began at 10 pm, by 10:15 the poolside venue was nearing capacity! The first lucky 75 attendees received West Hollywood swag bags that included official “West Hollywood Celebrates Fashion’s Night Out 2012” t-shirts from beloved local brand Love LAnd Brand and snazzy iPhone cases by Agent18. At one point, the line for the step and repeat was 15 minutes long! But it was totally worth it – all guests got their time in the spotlight and the pictures turned out fabulous! (You can look for your photo HERE).

Some fashionable guests on the step and repeat

The party kicked off with a complementary cocktail hour hosted by Milagro Tequila, and servers were happy to help guests refuel after a long night of shopping. The Standard Hollywood was the perfect setting – attendees lounged on poolside beds, gathered in the two disco-ball-adorned teepees, ate at the poolside tables and enjoyed the great DJ.

By the end of the night, feet were sore, wallets were empty, hands were full of shopping bags and everyone was in good spirits. Everyone looked great and this year’s West Hollywood Fashion’s Night Out was a huge success – we’ll see you next year!