Pardon me for taking this long to update on what's happening last Wednesday. I am so reeling with tiredness after what's happening all around me - from the event that took place that night, to the Eid celebrations that made me to attend so many open houses with all the food and stuff, and not to mention gotta attend to my work in the lab - I'm practically buzzing here! Really, really tired that I actually can't imagine how my feet is killing me. If they can speak, they could've told me STOP WALKING AND GET A REST!!! Lol..
Anyway. Vogue's Fashion Night Out 2010 happened on the Wednesday, September 8th . Earlier that day, it was raining mad. There's a heavy downpour that I can even heard it from my sub-basement lab, made be uber conscious whether i can make it or not to cover all the places as what I've mention in this blog before. Though I'm ready with my Burberry umbrella to prevent me from soaking wet from the waist up, I don't think I'm willing to risk my boots for the bottom sole to be drenching in those damp pavements. But, being me I prayed that things will be okay when the clock strike 6 pm (I know every shopaholics and fashionistas do too that noon!). And voila... as if my prayer has been answered, oh sorry, OUR prayers - around 1730 (military time, okay...) the sun is shining, the cloud clears as if paving a great hope that everyone would enjoy the night as what they've been waiting for almost a year long.
So. What is my verdict? Just one phrase: London ROCKS!!! Simple as that. There's so many stores taking part in this very event, with so many activities in store and so much discounts offered to the shoppers.
My night started just after 6pm when I hit Mango at Oxford Circus to grab those fan handed by the shop assistants which entitled me to receive 20% off all purchase. Kinda nice fans though coz I know I need it to keep me cool when I'm walking around many, many blocks later on. Any purchase I made? Nope, coz there's nothing in store that excites me though. The collection kinda blah this time ... so I don't think I'm getting anything from He by Mango unlike SS'09.
Next venue: Marc by Marc Jacobs at Mount Street. I heard that the first 200 visitors gonna get a free Bang by Marc Jacobs t-shirt to commemorate the release of the new fragrance. I better be hurry, I said to myself coz it is actually quite a far journey from Oxford Circus to Mount Street. On the way, I passed through South Molton Street where there's Brown's Fashion that did 'cooking lesson' with some stall outside the store, and all the shops nearby also have discounts in store. I dropped by into Poste to check their new collection which include the studded lace-ups and new boots - but, hell no.. I don't have time to hang any longer otherwise I'll be missing the Bang.
So. Bla bla bla... There's Kurt Geiger nearby with a red carpet and shop assistant aka 'minder' at the entrance. Inside, the party looks awesome ... and there's discounts too. And walk, walk fashion baby (suddenly Lady Gaga song played in my mind, huh?) .. I walked pass US Embassy, and voila! I'm in Marc Jacobs at Mount Street. But hey, why nobody's around. I'm there about half an hour late at 6.30 - so I'm thinking if there's a long queue. But hell no. Nobody in. Repeat. No-bo-dy! I asked the SA how can I get a free t-shirt? And the answer is: the event hasn't started yet. It start at 7 pm. What??? You cannot be serious!
I looked around to see if any Bang tee on display. Yes it is. And it's kinda daft - it's a grey marl short-sleeve t with a hairy middle-age guy holding a perfume bottle. Ewww.. do I wanna wait for another half an hour just to get that? Hell no.
So, bla bla bla. Next stop. Head back to Oxford Street which is about 1 km walk. Yes, 1 km! Bear in mind I haven't eaten for almost 15 hours that day, okay. But I'm buzzing with energy nonetheless.
Oxford Street is where the party begins. Started with River Island flagship store. What's hot? I am right on time because there's a commotion at the entrance. And suddenly the music begins... and I am well-versed with the tune. Strike a pose! Oh, damn... it's Vogue by Madonna. What a song for the nite!?
The dancers wore black, by which i dunno whether they've been dressed in River Island outfit. Btw, the guys wore suit (some with baring flesh!) and the girls wore lace tops. The dance is AMAZING! They're totally in sync with the tune for the entire song. Love it!
Next up. Pull & Bear which is just by the corner. What's happening? There's actually a stand-offs between two London's well-known bloggers at the shop window: Alexis Knox (from alexisknox.com) and Pelayo Diaz of katelovesme.net. What are they doing? To style their models top-to-toe in Pull & Bear outfit the very best they can, and audience will have to vote who dressed the best by sticking 'X' on the glass window. Like what Big Brother says - who wins, you decide...!
Earlier that day, prior going to Marc Jacobs I stopped by the store to purchase the VFNO shopper bag (yes, I bought it .. for the charity, btw lol!). And I stumbled upon Pelayo himself. I can say that though he's less taller than me, this guy really got style more than I am, dude! Kinda cool in his signature Doc Marten boots... :)
Next: Zara. Fashion show in store. The theme is somewhat 'someone-has-knocked-me-down-so-I'm-wrapped-in-the-bandage' kinda thing. From the entrance, to the first and basement floors - there are models strutting their stuff on the stage while being snapped by the 'paparazzi'. Awesome. No discount in store but there's some drinks and canapes for all the shoppers.
Opposite Zara, it seems that Debenhams too got their own version of paparazzi. Any shoppers who enter via the main entrance, they got a chance to be mini-celebs coz some 'papz' with all the flashbulbs and stuff really did their stuff to make you feel 'glamorous'! Very cool...
Inside, stylist Mark Hayes (famous from Lorraine Kelly show of ITV1) gave his briefing on the women's autumn style with many choices on the rails. The models strut their stuff in various look head-to-toe in the clothes available at Debenhams. If the shoppers decide to copy, Debenhams even give 25% off for the purchase storewide.
Mark and Spencer, the favourite for some old people (no offence, lol). Inside, there's a fashion show unveiling Autumn/Winter 2010 trend hosted by Lisa Snowdon and some workshop with Caryn Franklin (who's a staple in The Clothes Show). Though there might be lots of middle-aged people around, but the clothes paraded by the models are quite young and fresh. Maybe it's the strategy did by M&S to attract younger customer, I guess. And oh... shopper are offered 10% off that night too.
Bla, bla, bla... there're many many more happening which i didn't manage to go. That include Berschka that had live band playing at the window display, GAP that has full-length photobooth in store (which I think people who try the jeans can actually take it home for free!), and some other events along Regent Street as well. In most stores, there are canapes and drinks for the visitors to enjoy.
It's a great night out. Wait till the next post when I give my 'report' on what happens on the designers part, by which they're what Vogue's Fashion Night Out truly is all about! :)
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