Hoosiers are taking the fashion scene by storm this year, starting with Fashion’s Night Out (FNO). This is an exceptional year, with Mayor Greg Ballard’s office endorsing FNO Indy 2012.
“Oh my gosh! We have waited for years for this. To be officially endorsed is so important, because now it’s on a larger scale,” said Julia Rutland, owner of Aesthetic Design Style House and sponsor of FNO.
FNO is a global initiative created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy and put the fun back in shopping. In the United States, the program is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC & Co. and the City of New York.
The fashion bash will take place Sept. 6. from 6-10 p.m., and Indy will join editors, stars, fashionistas and designers as they flood stores in cities across the country for this iconic extravaganza. Last year’s FNO featured events in 18 countries and more than 4,500 events took place in the U.S. alone.
“We finally get to show the different talent here on a national level. This is not a hobby, fashion is our livelihood. This will definitely be a learning experience for us and it will only get bigger and better,” adds Rutland.
FNO will be showcased throughout Indianapolis at various locations. Each site will host a special mix of entertainment, showcases and retail. Indianapolis International Airport will host the fashion houses House of 5th, Studio NTK and Sweet Revenge Lingerie. Each fashion brand will display their lines.
Consumers and fashion enthusiasts will also be able to speak with designers one-on-one, hear their vision and experience a peek inside their creative process.
“FNO is retail based and market driven. It’s based around the consumer and what we can do for them,” said Truen Jaimes, creative director of House of 5th. “It’ll be one big, energetic night.”
Events are currently planned for five locations: The Artsgarden, Circle Centre Mall, the Fashion Mall, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Indianapolis International Airport.
FNO is bringing people from all over the world to indulge in fashion and to not just shop, but to become educated.
“We are not creating an intimidating event. FNO is where people can come mingle, purchase items and learn about the industry. If you are high fashion, that’s great, if not still come,” Jaimes says. “We want people to engage and see what Indy has to offer.”
