Cup of Beautiful: September 2012

As many of you probably know, Fashion's Night Out (FNO) is this Thursday September 6!! We love this night once a year when designers, models, editors, bloggers, and all fashion-lovers come together to celebrate the industry. Every year I get overwhelmed by the enormous amount of events because there's no way to do everything and be everywhere! Below I choose my top events from Refinery29's AMAZING guide .... hopefully I'll make it to more than just a few ....

Free People
Where: Free People locations throughout Manhattan.
Time: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Why: The first 50 shoppers to show up at each location will be privy to a Free People iPhone case and tote bag for, uh, free. You can also enter to win a night at the Dream Downtown, including dinner for two at Marble Lane. You’ll bring us, right?

Saks Fifth Avenue
Where: Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th streets); 212-753-4000.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Why: Aaaaand the award for the most star-studded event goes to Saks Fifth Avenue. You can meet Oscar de la Renta, get an autograph from New York Knick Amar'e Stoudemire, meet Darren Criss ofGlee, hear Vanessa Carlton perform live, get fashion advice from Erin Fetherston, and, believe it or not, the list doesn’t end there. This is the place to meet and greet all those names you normally just read about from afar.

Blow, The New York Blow Dry Bar
Where: Blow, 4 West 16th street (between 5th and 6th avenues); 212-561-5392.
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Why: The Blow team will be giving complimentary blowouts from their stylists, as well as a free full size (yes!) bottle of the just-released Time to Shine 3-D illuminating mist.

Intermix
Where: Intermix, 812 Washington Street (between Gansevoort and Horatio streets); 212-480-5762.
Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Why: The retailer will be showing off their newest collections, all to the live music of The Knocks. Paired with the covetable fashions will be complementary makeovers from Benefit cosmetics.

Rebecca Minkoff
Where: Saks Fifth Avenue, Fifth Floor, 611 Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th streets); 212-753-4000.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Why: Remember the middle school days of girlier-than-girly sleepovers? Well, this is kind of like that — just a thousand times better. Rebecca Minkoff is celebrating her fall collection with a “Girl’s Night Out,” complete with a ponytail bar, a smoky eye station, a booth to make your own “arm party,” and manicures with nail art inspired by the fall collection.

Ted Baker
Where: Ted Baker NYC Flagship, 595 Fifth Avenue (at 48th street); 212-317-1514.
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Why: It’s a Brit-themed party at Ted Baker with everything from Ted’s Fish & Chip’s Truck parked outside to British inspired cocktails to music courtesy of British DJ Kieran Taylor. Start practicing your accent now, chap.

Piperlime
Where: Piperlime, 121 Wooster Street (between Prince and Spring streets); no phone.
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Why: This event is a double whammy. Not only is it a FNO celebration, but it’s also the grand opening of the first ever Piperlime boutique. The e-commerce giant has brought in Piperlime guest editors Rachel Zoe and Olivia Palermo (who also just so happens to be on our “30 Under 30” list) to host the party and kick off what is sure to be a must-see NYC shop.

Paige Denim
Where: Paige Denim, 71 Mercer Street (between Broome and Spring streets); 212-625-0800.
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.
Why: Leandra Medine (A.K.A. The Man Repeller) will be at Paige Denim until 7 p.m. to reveal a storefront widow display showcasing three spankin’ new styles by Paige Denim. After the big reveal, the blogger will be available to help you pick the perfect pair of jeans for fall.

Diane von Furstenberg
Where: DVF Meatpacking, 874 Washington Street (between 13th and 14th streets); 646-486-4800.
When: 6 to 11 p.m.
Why: This event boasts three hosts, all of whom you’ll be dying to meet. Allison Williams (Marnie onGirls), Vogue Senior Market Editor Meredith Melling Burke, and, last but clearly not least, Diane von Furstenberg. If that’s not enough to entice you, Solange Knowles will be the DJ, and MAC will be providing complimentary makeovers.

Jean-Michel Cazabat
Where: Jean-Michel Cazabat, 350 Bleecker Street (between Charles and West 10th streets); 646-669-8508.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Why: Drinking, dancing, shoes — do you really need much more? Jean Michel-Cazabat will celebrate with wine from The Naked Grape, as well as music by DJ David de Barce. If you’re still looking for your dream fall shoe (and who isn’t?) tonight is the night to get it, as all merchandise will be 15% off.

Aritzia
Where: Aritzia, 524 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Spring street); 212-965-2188.
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.
Why: Feeling lucky this fall? Stop by Aritzia and spin their Wheel of Fashion for a chance to win a gift card. Don’t worry — if luck isn’t in your favor that night there will be plenty of drinks and dancing to soothe your pain.

Oak
Where: Oak, 28 Bond Street (between Bowery and Lafayette streets); 212-677-1293.
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Why: Oak is teaming up with Cheap Monday for a night of music, drinks, and free stuff. They’ll have David P. of Fixed upstairs, keeping the dance floor alive, while downstairs there's a Cheap Monday pop-up shop, complete with exclusive styles.

C.Wonder
Where: C. Wonder, 72 Spring street (between Broadway and Lafayette street); 212-219-3500.
Time: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Why: This is certainly one of the more fun and colorful events to hit FNO. C. Wonder Brand Ambassadors will be around Soho all night, passing out balloons. Each balloon color represents a different prize, including the chance to spin C. Wonder’s Wheel of Wonder.

{ text via Refinery29 }