FNO at Beverly Center with Randy Jackson,Glee and the Mayor
Randy Jackson at Beverly Center Celebrates Fashion's Night Out.Photo credit Volker Corell.
The 2nd Annual Beverly Center CelebratesFashion’s Night Out event promised and delivered on sizzle.
After four months of planning for the big night, a mall full of fashion fanatics were treated to celebrities,stores offering free sweets and drinks, and two runway shows at the mall’s Center Court. (A slideshow of the runway events appears on the Apparel News site.)
Appearing under Beverly Center’s bright lights was American Idol judge Randy Jackson, Iqbal Theba of hit show Glee took the stage with his fellow castmembers Ashley Fink and Josh Sussman. Miss California USA Katie Blair attended the night’s events wearing her sash, gown, but sorry, no tiara. Lisa Love, West Coast Editor of Vogue was among the V.I.Ps. Designer and reality show star Nicole Richie served as the event’s host.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was scheduled to kick off the event with comments on the importance of fashion industry to Los Angeles economy. But he spent the night in Washington D.C., where he sat next to Michelle Obama to witness President Obama pitch a $447 billion jobs plan to a joint session of Congress.
The Mayor delivered his Fashion’s Night Out comments through video, where he exhorted Los Angeles residents to express good citizenship through shopping. “Each one of you is going to do your part to boost spending,” Villaraigosa said.
The more cash registers ring, the more tax dollars go to support schools, cops, fire fighting and street maintenance, Villaraigosa said. All of the event’s speakers stayed on his message. Said Glee’s Sussman. ”The night is not just about clothes…It is about spending money. Because this economy sucks!”
Beverly Center management had no official word on how many heard the message, but a mall representative said the mall’s parking lots were full. Yet fashion was the main attraction for people at the event such as Einat Lieberman, an art student. “It is a great atmosphere,” she said. “I came to see what is new, and hoped to see something that will grab my attention.”
The event’s runway shows offered looks sold at Beverly Center stores Politix, Bloomingdale’s, Traffic, Forever 21, Guess? Macy’s and Bebe. Bloomingdale’s also presented a special show featuring the designs of David Meister.
Between and after the shows, the mall turned into a block party where people sipped champagne, ate cupcakes, listened to DJs, got haircuts, watched bikini models hula hoop, and oh yes, shopped and found some great deals.
At Traffic, some fall merchandise was 50 percent off. At Kenneth Cole, shoppers got 20 percent off of merchandise with a $10 donation to the retailer’s initiative to build a community wellness center in Haiti. At Beach Bunny Swimwear, consumers would receive a $500 V.I.P. bag with a $500 purchase.
The event gave the excuse for Beverly Center to stay up late. The party closed down at 11PM.
Crowd during the first fashion show.
Nicole Richie, Fashion's Night Out Host.
Big Antonio Is Watching You: Mayor Villaraigosa delivered Fashion's Night Out comments through video feed through a giant LED screen. Photo credit Volker Corell.
Chaz Dean of Chaz Dean Studios with his sister Joanne Dean Ferra.
Miss California USA Katie Blair with a friend.
Cvonne, a perfomer and stylist assistant takes in Fashion's Night Out. She bought her leather jacket for $7 and spent .99, that's right, .99 cents on her skirt.We think she looked like $1 million though.
Suggie, a stylist, browsed Fashion's Night Out in vintage clothes and jewelry that she designed.
Beach Bunny Swimwear models hula hoop. Whoo-hoo!
From left Rafi Anteby of Bullets 4 Peace,Gila Leibovitch, co-owner of Premier Men, Johnny Alper of Premier Men.
For those who don't like the name Ashley, skip this picture. Maybelline makeup artist Ashleigh Louer consults with Ashley Kendrick, seated.
In the window of Ben Sherman store, Trent Magnona trims hair of D'Andre MacMillen.
Magnolia Bakery serves sweets at Bloomingdale's.
Adam Dobbs serves drinks at J.Lindeberg store.
DJ Valida plays Beverly Center on Fashion's Night Out.
