This year's Fashion's Night Out in London was a busy one for me! I was up at 6.30am, rushed up to London on the probably the most packed commuter train this side of India, and struggled all morning trying to affix a silly hat to my apparently abnormally shaped head. Never fear, however, as this was not part of the FNO craziness, but instead my experience of graduation! I might pop a cheeky picture or two of the event up on here soon, but suffice it to say billowing robes are a look that only Gandalf can rock. After a panic phone call to my mum ('The hat won't stay on, I need your help!'), I made it across the stage without falling over and had a really lovely time, regardless of the sartorial challenge trying to look elegant whilst being strangled by acres of material presented. After the ceremony, my parents and I went to The Dorchester for their gorgeous afternoon tea (which I blogged about when I first went back in March) before I met up with my best friend Sarah and we began our Fashion's Night Out in earnest:
We kicked off the night by having a browse around Selfridges, where we spotted this beautiful display in the Tiffany window, and kicked ourselves for painting our nails the night before, meaning we couldn't get a free Chanel manicure!
Next up we headed down to Mount Street, where we were surprised to find Marc by Marc Jacobs empty. Compared to the mania of last year, it was eerily quiet. Not that we were complaining, however, when we got a free canvas tote bag each after making a purchase just after 6pm (when the event officially started). Bingo!
As we made our way along Mount Street, we stopped for some obligatory outfit snaps, and I once again proved that I am incapable of pulling a normal facial expression.
Dress- French Connection
Jacket- Zara
Shoes- Carvela at Debenhams (in the sale!)
Bag- Urban Outfitters
Sarah's outfit: Skirt- Topshop Blazer- Zara Shoes- Office Bag- Mulberry
Along the way we bumped into our lovely friend Liz, who looked amazing in this monochrome outfit.
We then headed down to Net-A-Porter's Window Shop- a pop up shop front which was interactive! All you had to do was download a special app (or in my case borrow an iPad from one of the lovely team stationed outside) and you could be in with the chance of winning an item from the window display.
After scanning the window, we didn't win anything but as we were some of the first fifty people at the The Window Shop, we were given a goody bag containing a £50 voucher to use on Net-A-Porter.com! We were speechless!
After popping into Lanvin for some lovely macaroons, we headed over to Bond Street, where things were crazy. I have never seen things so busy, but there was a great atmosphere. Unlike last year, many shops had lengthy queues of people waiting to get in, something which seemed to go against the inclusive ethos of Fashion's Night Out. Nevertheless, it was great to see what all of the stores had going on, and I loved the window display outside Louis Vuitton and this NYC taxi outside DKNY.
Our final stop of the night was Mulberry. Although we had to queue to get it, the line moved quite quickly and it was worth it once we got inside and were promptly invited to enter a raffle to win a bag and a luxury holiday. After having a browse around the store and spotting Cara Delevingne (she is stunning), we had our photo taken against the woodland themed backdrop (along with a lovely girl we met in the queue outside!) and managed to get our hands on a goody bag each.
Amongst the madness we also popped in to Diane Von Furstenberg, where they were handing out freebie fragrance samples, and where we starred in our own mini-movie:
All in all, this year's Fashion's Night Out was a great one. Although it was disheartening to see some of the bigger, more premium brands had invite only events/enormous queues outside, if you knew where to be then there was a brilliant time to be had. I still can't quite believe we were given the Net-A-Porter vouchers (I'm still deliberating what to buy!), and it was great to go to the Mulberry party as the atmosphere was amazing (as was the goody bag!) Much like last year, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time! Bring on FNO 2012!
Did you go to Fashion's Night Out? If so, what did you get up to?
With less than a month to go until Fashion's Night Out here in London, a few details are emerging of some of the events which will be taking place. On September 8th (co-incidentally the same date as my graduation ceremony!), London will once again be transformed into fashionista central, and, after last year's antics, I'm really excited to see what this year will bring. Here are a few gems of information which have been released so far:
Rob Ryan has designed the official Fashion's Night Out tee for 2011, which will retail for £18 across the retailers participating in the event. All proceeds will go to Kids Company.
Mulberry will be offering manicures and photo booth sessions at their Bond Street branch, following which you can pop over to the Brompton Road store to have your fortune read. There will also be prize draws taking place.
Rupert Sanderson will be having a roller disco in his Mayfair store (amazing!) and will also launch an exclusive disco platform boot, with 10% of the proceeds going to Kids Company.
Matthew Williamson will be showcasing his new diffusion line MW at his Bruton Street store, where he will be joined by the face of the collection, Edie Campbell. An exclusive limited edition t-shirt will also be available in store.
Alexander McQueen will be selling these exclusive keyrings which will be sold at their Bond Street branch:
And that's just for starters! For more information about some of the exclusive merchandise which will be sold on the night and for more on the events taking place visit the Fashion's Night Out website. I can't wait to hear what else will be going on!
Are you looking forward to Fashion's Night Out this year?
