PARIS–The prospect of a Parisian fashion block party is an appealing thought.

The city’s Fashion’s Night Out took place last night in “the golden triangle,” France’s glossiest stretch of land between Avenue Montaigne, Avenue François Premier and Avenue George V.

Wonders had been promised: fortune tellers, lotteries, makeup stands–what more to ask for?

The caveat: invitations were given out in this month’s Vogue–which means that, in a city possessed by fashion, the entire Parisian population was present. If not for the clothes, they came for the free champagne, macaroons, and Carine-spotting.

By 7pm, the streets looked like a giant mosh pit: crowds of fashion students were pushing and pulling in every direction, like elegant headless chickens.

And once you did enter, after much patience and a shoe missing (or by pushing through with a press pass….ah the wonders of journalism!), the inside was, well, rather dull.

Sure, Elie Saab had pretty wedding dresses to look at, Louis Vuitton had brought in a makeup station by Guerlain, and Chloé offered high-end cocktails made by Paris’ chic Experimental Cocktail bar staff.

But is this enough to guarantee a good time? Despite the presence of the city’s major fashion players (Suzy Menkes and Jessica Michault from the IHT, Carine and Emmanuelle Alt), and much to drink, people seemed lost. What had the wait been all about? No one seemed to know what to do, what or who to look at. All we could do is hope for finger food.

Shops will always be there, but Parisian hysteria is rare gem.

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