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Shopping Aug 26, 2009 @ 12:01pm

This Might Work

by Britt Aboutaleb

Everyone’s psyched for Fashion’s Night Out, but everyone’s worried that no one’ll actually shop - or we were worried until we saw the official PSA.

You’d be hard pressed not to break out your wallet after listening to Sarah Jessica Parker beg and watching Diddy dance his way across the screen. Anna Wintour laughs, which is becoming less unusual, and Raquel Zimmermann hangs onto Alex Wang like a monkey to a tree and they’re all SO excited.

Suddenly, it makes sense to shell out for a PS 1 if Jack & Lazaro help pick the color or splurge on Elizabeth & James when Ashley tells you what fits best - especially since the night before Fashion Week all anyone wants are new clothes. Anyway, now we think this’ll be successful, and by successful we mean lucrative.

The official PSA, above. Outtakes, after the jump!

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posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 1:48PM

I don't get this night. Is the goal to generate sales for one night for these stores or something more long term? Because I'm sorry I don't get how this mess of a night will really increase consumer confidence and spending beyond that one night. Are the consumers supposed to have so much fun with ALT at BG that they will start spending recklessly again instead of saving. I personally think this industry needs to look deeper and stop doing what they had been doing for years. They should go smaller again and forget about the massive sales generated before the recession. Everything got too big it was bound to burst.

I for one will stop by to see this freak show in action, but I won't spend a dime. I'm watching till shit goes on sale.

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 2:33PM

It's so weird watching people I respect and admire almost begging for my money!

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 3:33PM

Coco is so endearing its ridiculous.

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 3:44PM

I plan on hitting up quite a few events, but doubt I'll be spending anything. Unless Anna Wintour plans on loaning out her AmEx, one night of models, shops, and fun isn't going to change the state of my financial affairs and get me to shop.

posted by Sarah6Elizabeth

Aug 26, 2009 4:23PM

In a day and age where we all exist online, this could have been spectacular if it was an online extravaganza rather than a late night carnival...it could have been a greater impact across a larger area than just NY. Think with your brain, Conde, not with your eyes.

posted by fauvism3

Aug 26, 2009 4:34PM

Honestly, I LOVE the idea of Fashion's Night Out but I doubt people will be compelled to buy. If you have the money to buy a PS1, you will do so regardless as to whether Jack and Lazaro tell you which color...

Sure, some girls might ask Alex Wang to sign their new T tanks...but who is going to make major purchases on Sept. 10 if they wouldn't already? If you can afford to, support fashion whenever and wherever you want to, not just on Sept. 10.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the events will draw in a lot of fanboys/girls who will go for the events but not necessarily be able to afford the stuff, especially when a lot of events are at Barneys, BG, Opening Ceremony, etc...sure, Macy's is thrown in there, but it's a lot of high end product.

Finally, who's going to make an investment purchase at one of the aforementioned stores when there's a TON of people around, there's noise, drinks, games, etc...not exactly conducive to serious spending. Sigh...

posted by RashomonRebel

Aug 26, 2009 6:34PM

All very true but I would like to see someone try on and even purchase the Terence Koh shirt dresses at OC.

Or even the OC x Spike Jonze x Pamela Love stuff.

posted by helmutsang

Aug 26, 2009 6:52PM

alright, I get the point of this night is not generate revenue by "making shopping fun again"...ummmm, earth to Vogue, people didn't stop shopping because they didn't enjoy it anymore, people stopped shopping because they didn't have the money to spend...

I guess you might add a few more shoppers by getting people into stores, but do you really think the 10,000 extra people trying to flood Barneys are there to buy clothes, or to meet the Olsens?

Some change for thought.

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 8:37PM

I agree #8. I think this idea is coming a little early, maybe next year when economy picks up? Also, what about the rest of the country, what only NYers get love from Anna and the designers? That's another thing, everyone on this PSA gets their clothes for free, and they're appealing to us to keep the fash industry afloat? why - so they can continue on w/ their VIP parties and swag that regular working folk can only read about on fash blogs??

posted by Modupe

Aug 26, 2009 9:47PM

oh, unfairness. why can't i live in NYC? there's never anything this exciting in Atlanta...

what's with the two-worded Raquel Zimmerman?

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2009 9:50PM

ah good point number 9, most all of these people do get their stuff for free.
to me, the obvious answer to the problem would be to lower the prices. but we all know that will never happen. this nite does sound like fun, but the air of desparation around it is kinda turning me off.

posted by kelleyd

Aug 27, 2009 3:20AM

Some people have decreased their shopping for purely financial reasons, yes, but there's also a great deal of psychology contributing to the drop off in sales in and beyond NYC. Even with substantial evidence pointing towards a recovery next year, our approach to spending hasn't changed (as exhibited by the unfaltering diligence of the phrase in advertising). As time has passed, we continue to be greeted with the same foreboding (though slightly insincere) intonations of "these tough economic times," Congress has settled back into its old spirit of antagonism, just as we have settled into the realization that nothing's changed. The surge of optimism and unity felt just a few months ago has waned, and though everyone's talking about our renewed progress, it all feels like a step backward. We've been chastised for our past extravagance so well, and have tempered our hope so often, that legitimate cause for optimism barely excites a reaction. We'd rather stay home.
Anyway, if my reading is correct, Fashion's Night Out's larger purpose is to reintroduce people to blatant consumerism (yay!) and show them that participating in it doesn't always lead to a slap on the wrist. Of course, the RECESSION is a mighty big slap on the wrist to get over, but FNO is a push in the right direction--a small shift in perspective that leads to other steps and other shifts and eventually to retail normalcy circa 2006.
Also, parties are fun and this post is far too long.

posted by guest

Aug 27, 2009 11:49AM

I can't buy anything because I don't have any money, and I don't have any money because I was laid off last November and have only found part-time work since.

When I am earning more money and have a safety cushion in my bank account, then and only then will I start spending money again.