What you might notice is the lack of sales during FNO. The organizers of the event (Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York) encourage retailers to sell all items for tonight at full price, again with the "encouraging of consumer confidence."
I love the idea of doing a Fashion's Night Out in West Virginia...however it'd have to be a West Virginia version. First and foremost, the name "Fashion's Night Out" is trademarked, so we'd either have to pony up up $250 per store/brand, or come up with a new name. I'll call it West Virginia Fashion Friday.
Why, yes, I did study graphic design in college. A few measly years ago I could have done something much more...stylish, but at the moment I lack access to Adobe products. Anyways...
We can do the same things that FNO wants to accomplish, but on our terms. We can enjoy a fashionable night of fun, learn what wares our local stores carry, and help our local economy. But would it mirror a similar event as FNO? I'm going to say no. Here's why:
1. There would need to be some sales. I think there might be some trouble trying to attract people to such an event to pay full price. If there's other stuff going on, such as live music, free facials or something, I don't think the sales will need to be very steep.
2. Location, location, location. I have Charleston in mind for pulling off something like this (I have ArtWalk on the brain). Do we hold this up on Bridge Street, or downtown? There's more space for displays and parking downtown, but most of the boutiques are up on Bridge St., and would have to labor to bring stuff downtown. Driving between the two locations would be annoying.
3. This needs to be an all-inclusive event. That means all price points, letting the men show off their fashion as well, plus sizes, etc. Fashion and style are not limited to certain members of society.
4. Manpower is a major concern. This isn't your sister's Mary Kay house party; if you're going to offer quickie makeovers, you need to have some professionals. This could include salon professionals, cosmetic counter workers, beauty school students, etc. If you're going to have 10 people doing manicures at your location, at least 6 of them need to have working experience. Friends can fill in voids, but they need to be trained at least a month before the event starts.
5. How to pay for all of this. Would the professionals doing makeup be paid, or would they get free advertising in exchange? If they're going to do fashion shows somewhere, how would the venue get paid? I'm wary of having the shops/brands participating to have to pay to be involved, except maybe for a small nominal fee. Sponsors would be needed and since this isn't exactly a charity event, I don't know how excited they might be to get behind this.
6. I think independent vendors should be allowed. Rent out a store front, call it the Quarrier Baazar (or some other fancy name), and charge people for a booth. You can have Thirty One consultants or folks who moonlight making jewelry. This would allow us to bring in many of the wonderful artisans in our state and help make the event truely ours. My fears, though: 15 Avon consultants, people who peddle cheap goods from China they order out of a wholesale catalog, fake purses (include a clause in the contract that they can't sell anything bearing the name of a company or designer that isn't authentic or could be confused as such), and people trying to sell stuff that isn't fashion-related. Services could be allowed, such as people doing massages or pedicures.
7. It's be great if cities and towns all over the state could get involved on the same day.
I have lots more ideas for such an event, but I've lost my train of thought and it's dangerously close to bedtime. Do you think West Virginia can pull of such an event? Feel free to add your ideas as well!
