Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Atlanta’s Participation in Fashion’s Night Out

Retailers around the city to host events from Sept. 8 to 12 for the second year in a row

Surrounded by local retailers, hoteliers and creative talent, Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that Atlanta will once again participate in Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, an unprecedented global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence and boost the industry’s economy during the recession.

“I am proud that Atlanta once again is participating in this event for it not only showcases the thriving fashion industry within our own city, it also celebrates the entrepreneurial, creative and artistic talents that make Atlanta an exciting place to live, visit and shop,” Mayor Reed said. “Last year, I hit the shops, and I plan to again this year. Those who know me know that I appreciate fashion, and I am thrilled that Atlanta is a fashion-conscious city.”

Fashion’s Night Out debuted in Atlanta last fall. This year’s Fashion’s Night Out committee, co-chaired by Judy Mauldin and Don Purcell, includes leaders from the fashion and retail community including Jeffrey, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Atlantic Station, Midtown Alliance, AmericasMart and Deka, as well as the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From Sept. 8 to 12, the city will celebrate fashion and design and welcome special guests through unique events, exclusive pop-up shops and the “FNO Freeway” that will take visitors there. Shuttles will take shoppers between Midtown, Westside and Atlantic Station, and hotels are offering special packages and gifts to consumers.

The week kicks off when Tyson Beckford, Kenny Lattimore and Judy Mauldin launch Fashion’s Night Out Atlanta with A Night to Remember on Tuesday, Sept. 6. To honor those who paved the way for African Americans on the catwalk and in the ateliers, they will welcome and recognize the legendary Bethann Hardison as well as celebrate the late fashion designer Willi Smith. Nationally renowned designer (and soon-to-be HGTV star of Design Wars) Michael Habachy is lending his considerable talent to transform the Atlantic Station venue into a luxurious space filled with celebrities and trendsetters. Tickets are available at www.antrfashion.org.

Following the event, the space, along with other locales in Midtown, will turn into pop-up stores for the weekend. Designers include Frank Tell, Bowens Bergeron, Lisa Jill, Pieces of Me, Olive and Streetala, as well as an exclusive shop designed by Modern Luxury that will include Striver's Row, The Clique, Emerlyn & Ester, Lola Rose Boutique, Gallerie Boutique, Emly Benham and Urban Active/Under Armour.

As of today, participating retailers include (in alphabetical order) Anne Fontaine, Anne Taylor, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, Bebe, Belk, Betsey Johnson, Beth-Ann Boutique, Bottega Veneta, Cole Haan, Crocs, Deka, Dominique Nicole Designs, Ed Hardy, Ellie Tahari, Fab’rik, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Guess, Herve Leger, Intimacy, Intermix, Italia Furniture, Jedal Italian Fashion, Jeffrey, Juicy Couture, Just the Thing!, Karen Millen, Kate Spade, Lacoste, L’Occitane, L.K. Bennett, Michael Stars, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Oakley, Palas Jewelers, Pella, Perimeter Mall, Phipps Plaza, Poor Little Rich Girl, Potpourri, Rangoni Shoes, Razzle Dazzle, ReMixx, Sage, Sabot, Salle Opticians, Sandpiper, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swarovski, Tory Burch, True Religion Brand Jeans, The Bilthouse, The Avenue Forsyth/Peachtree City/East Cobb/West Cobb, Tootsies, Tulipano, Vera Bradley, Vince, White House Black Market, Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, Wolford.

For more information, event details and hotel information, click on fashionsnightoutatlanta.com and follow facebook.com/fnoatlanta.com and @FNOatl on Twitter.

About Fashion’s Night Out
Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy during the recession. On Sept. 8, 2011, in response to overwhelming demand, Fashion’s Night Out will return to New York City and over 100 cities nationwide to highlight fashion and support retail with exciting events that include designer appearances, celebrity guests, fashion shows and musical performances. In the United States, the program is a collaboration among American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. For more information visit www.fashionsnightout.com, or join us on Facebook and Twitter (@fnonyc, #FNO).