Introducing Jewcy’s Fashion Week + The ABC’s of New York City’s Fashion’s Night Out!

Today marks not only the Jewish New Year, but the Fashion New Year, as New York based designers send their Spring 2011 collections down the runways of the Upper West Side at Lincoln Center. As each day progresses and as each designer toasts one more season of their brand, Jews will be chowing down on apples and honey at their Rosh Hashana tables and Jewcy will be featuring fashion content for you to to sink your teeth into. As Jewcy’s resident fashion lover, I’ll be sharing fashion features that run the gamut from a lesson on how to shop in your closet to profiles on those who I feel deserve the title of Best Dressed in 5770. Since New York Fashion Week begins with the retail extravaganza that is fashion’s rendition of a pub crawl, Fashion’s Night Out, I thought I would kick off Jewcy’s Fashion Week with my guide on the best, and jewciest, places to be on the night of Friday September 10th.

For those who missed last year’s Fashion’s Night Out, FNO is a celebration of fashion and a simultaneous push to rejuvenate retail in a time of recession. Stores stay open late, host guest DJ’s and serve cocktails and nibbles. Other designers take it up a notch and design exclusive pieces for sale solely on Fashion’s Night Out. If you have never been to a fashion party, hitting the streets of New York City this Friday is the best way to RSVP to the biggest style event of the year. Since the easiest lessons and guides are taught in song (i.e. the alphabet or alef bet) I thought I would share with you my ABC’s of FNO to kick off New York Fashion Week, as well as Jewcy’s. Keep in mind, not all my ABC’s are in the same area of the city. Think fast and hail a cab – I’m sending you on a veritable fashion scavenger hunt that promises good music, great shopping and as much free food and drink as any Jew-y frugalista would pray for. Happy Jewish / Fashion New Year!

A is for Against Nature. The brand celebrates their one year anniversary on FNO with shopping incentives throughout the whole store. Plus, meet the incredibly dapper trio of male designers who just happen to be… Jewish. (Lower East Side)

B is for Bergdorf Goodman. While style it-girl Becka Diamond mans the turntables as the resident guest DJ, Victoria Beckham, Jason Wu and BryanBoy will walk the floors along with a myriad of other designers and personalities. Time out your BG visit wisely, you would not want to miss their make-up artist face-off or their “Best in Show” doggy fashion show! (Upper East Side)

C is for Chanel. Color-customize Chanel’s iconic ballerina flats while choosing from a selection of nail polish colors designed especially for the night. The polishes celebrate the color of the season, khaki, and are a trio of the color’s common hues dubbed Les Khakis De Chanel. If the J.A.P within you craves for fashion exclusivity, head here to own a personalized pair of classic flats and nail lacquer that is already on its way to becoming a cult favorite. (Upper East Side)

D is for DVF. Diane Von Furstenberg’s downtown shop will be home to a multimedia lounge hosted by Refinery29. The lounge will feature a multimedia installation, a “fall favorites” photobooth and the ability to use touchscreens while browsing the store’s selection to keep yourself posted on what’s going on across the city and globally during Fashion’s Night Out. Social media nerds – start your engines! (Meatpacking District)

E is for Echo Design. Head to the company website on September 10th for exclusive FNO deals. (Online)

F is for FOOD! Free food is all over the city on Fashion’s Night Out. Visit Crumbs Bake Shop or the Cupcake Stop truck at Guess by Marciano for some complimentary cocktails and sweets. Winegasm Bar + Eatery will also be pouring glasses that are on the house. Champagne flows in almost every location on Fashion’s Night Out, and some shops even feature signature cocktails. (Um…Everywhere)

G is for Grand Central. Just in the mood for some networking, cocktails and a fashion show? The Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central will be host to a FNO event with all of the above. Stop here to reboot and have a drink as you commute across the city. (Midtown)

H is for Hermes. Learn to be a proper W.A.S.P at Hermes! They’ll provide scarf tying lessons so you can prance the streets of the Upper East Side with a perfect ascot. (Upper East Side)

I is for In God We Trust. Head to the SoHo location for an unveiling of the In God We Trust Fall 2010 Mens and Womens collections. Free refreshments and gift with purchase are there to provide yet another incentive to attend. Not in the city? Head to their Brooklyn location for a collaborative Mens event with The Parlour. (SoHo and Brooklyn)

J is for J.Crew. Meet styling genius, Creative Director Jenna Lyons for shopping and cocktails. You’ll receive a free tote bag once you spend $150 or more! (SoHo)

K is for Kirna Zabete. Join design wunderkinds Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, Jason Wu, Peter Som, Aurelie Biderman, Chrissie Morris, Elise Overland and fitness guru Tracy Anderson as they unveil exclusive products designed specifically for Fashion’s Night Out and Kirna Zabete. I got a peek of the leopard cocktail napkins designed by Peter Som and the mini PS-1 wallets designed by Proenza Schouler and would not miss this FNO location if I were you! (SoHo)

L is for LOFT. Join LOFT studio stylists at select stores across the city to create looks from LOFT’s most recent collection of fashion and innovative accessories. Naturally, champagne will flow.

M is for MAC. The cosmetic line showcases its Fabulous Felines collection while welcoming Jewish comedienne Sarah Silverman to perform and sign copies of her book, The Bedwetter. (SoHo)

N is for NARS. The brand’s make-up specialists will position themselves at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Saks Fifth Avenue and Vince to celebrate their iconic, new Pure Matte lipstick that made its way onto many a mouth during the Fall 2010 collections. (SoHo, Midtown, Nolita)

O is for Opening Ceremony. The shop, based in SoHo, will move operations to the lobby of The Ace Hotel for the night to create a French style flea market. The event coincides with Opening Ceremony’s announcement to make France their country of focus as they scout new designers to bring into their shops as 2011 approaches. Brands like Band of Outsiders and Rodarte will have their own booths, as will Nicholas Kirkwood X Repetto, who collaborated to create a shoe collection that perfectly intersected American and Parisian aesthetics. (Meatpacking)

P is for P.S. I Made This. DIY expert, blogger and author of P.S. I Made This, Erica Domesek, will be on hand at the Teen Vogue Block Party to help party-goers DIY apparel and accessories. Customized tops by ASOS will be provided as well, and Erica will be signing copies of her newly released book on how to look great by doing it yourself. (West Village)

Q is for QVC. The network opens a pop-up shop where they will live broadcast sales with some of their favorite designers. Viewers and attendees alike will be able to purchase the items for sale, which will include the coveted Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt. (Midtown)

R is for Ralph Lauren. Go wish the Jewish designer a Happy New Year on FNO! His Madison Avenue shop will offer champagne cocktails and deals on the store’s vast selection all night long. (Upper East Side)

S is for SoHo. SoHo may or may not be the place to be on FNO. With designer boutiques owning almost every storefront in the area, you are bound to find some famous faces and fashion lovers walking the streets.

T is for TopShop. Visit the Beauty Desk or their Personal Shoppers for an ensemble and cosmetic overhaul and then enjoy the party, where the brand will be launching an in-store pop-up magazine. Walk into the TopShop Cupboard to view exciting new pieces coming to the store that have yet to hit their sales floor. (SoHo)

U is for UrbanDaddy.com. Not a fashion lovin’ lady but don’t want to sit on your couch with a bucket of chicken on Fashion’s Night Out? No worries, Daddy. The site is sending its manly men to offer cigars and suits in the Men’s Store at Bloomingdales Downtown. (SoHo)

V is for Vera Wang. Both of Vera Wang’s locations will get a special visit from her on FNO. At her Madison Avenue Bridal Salon, Vera will style brides and sign copies of her book. At her Mercer Street location later that night, she and Olympic figure skater, Evan Lysacek, will give dancing lessons a la Dancing with the Stars to music spun by a guest DJ. (Upper East Side, SoHo)

W is for Whole Foods. You didn’t think I’d wrap up this guide without one more chance to nosh on some free eats did you? Stop into Whole Foods’ Columbus Circle location for pro-biotic skincare treatments and complimentary…you guessed it – refreshments.

X is for 3.1 Phillip Lim X Rag & Bone. Three cheers for a good collaboration! The two brands host a block party on Mercer Street – they are neighbors after all! (SoHo)

Y is for Yigal Azrouel. The Israeli designer will collaborate with contemporary designer Megan Marrin on an installation that will land at his shop in the Meatpacking on Fashion’s Night Out. Spanish Vine wines will be served while DJ Mess Kid spins his signature international tunes. Shoppers will receive a Yigal Azrouel scarf with purchase. (Meatpacking)

Z is for Z Spoke. Meet Jewish designer Zac Posen as he celebrates the night with his more affordable collection at Saks Fifth Avenue. Each item purchased will enter its buyer for a chance to win one of two tickets to the Z Spoke fashion show the following night at Lincoln Center. (Midtown)

Now you know your ABC’s! Head out there on Fashion’s Night Out and make me proud. Wishing you a sweet, style-conscious and inspiring New Year!