amberlust: fashion's night out

As New York Fashion Week kicks off this evening, more than 700 retailers in the metropolitan area (and other fashion capitals around the world) including celebrities, models and designers, will partake in Fashion's Night Out, a global initiative to stimulate retail and celebrate fashion. It's going to be one hell of a night, where Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will bartend at Barneys, Pharell ringing up sales at Billionaire Boys Club and Anna Wintour to make a special appearance at Macy's. Besides all the guest appearances and activities, sales of the official T-shirts (as modeled by Liya Kebede above) will benefit the National September 11th memorial and museum.

More to expect tonight:

Oscar de la Renta will be singing at the Carlyle Hotel
The Misshapes hits the decks at Versace
Sip champagne, score a mini "Jade" manicure and design your own Chanel handbag up to the hardware and chain
A private shopping experience with Manolo Blahnik himself
Alexander Wang giving runway lessons and Rodarte, a "special performance" at Barneys. Expect appearances by Rag & Bone, Narciso Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo, and Thom Browne
The Olsen twins tending bar, a celebrity designer cook-off judged by Padma Lakshmi, and one-of-a-kind paintings by Zac Posen. All at Bergdorf's
Opening Ceremony to host a block party with designers setting pop-stores out of vintage car trunks - Proenza in a VW minibus, Rodarte in a classic convertible low-rider, and Alexander Wang in a black van
A Madame Tussauds exhibit, a live performance by Howie Day and a customize-your-own Marc by Marc Jacobs T shirt station at Bloomingdale's
Free cocktails and styling tips from Vera herself at Vera Wang
A live listening party by Kid Cudi and the launch of Baby Milo x Kid Cudi T-shirt at A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
And a string of personal appearances including Roberto Cavalli, Maria Sharapova, Hugh Jackman, Karolina Kurkova, P Diddy, and Diane von Furstenberg