Everyone Who is Anyone

Last year we dubbed it “Fashion Halloween,” a moniker that most people stumbled similarly upon in their post-mortems of the evening. If Fashion Week is a circus then what is this sideshow that is Fashion’s Night Out?

Like any Halloween, it is multi-layered, presents the unknown, and has many variables: we might eat too much candy; we might have a wardrobe malfunction, and we’ll undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the crowds. We wait with baited breath, planning our outfits, and hoping things will surpass our expectations.

At the risk of overstimulation, we are all about FNO’s purpose: to integrate retail and fashion in a perfect evening of spectacle and commerce. For the occasion début will be joined by hosts Michael Fink (esteemed industry veteran, and current head of the Savannah College of Art and Design/SCAD), Lynn Yeager (cult Manhattan fashion icon and writer) and special guest for the evening, Mr. Andre Leon Talley (no introduction necessary).

Along with our hosts and guests, début will launch the Faces of Fashion T’s benefitting SCAD. The limited edition T Los Angeles designs are of the lean-but-slouchy variety, hand painted by New York artist, Victor-John Villanueva, in vivid colors with the visages of Simon Doonan, Glenn O’Brien, Kim Hastreiter, Olivier Zahm, Mr. Talley, Ms. Yeager and Olivier Zahm.

We have also invited The Nouveau Classical Project to perform. Directed by Sugar Vendil, the group is aimed at fusing classical music and fashion to reach new audiences – new, chic and authentic, the Project will provide a haunting dimension to the evening. 

Lynn helmed the Village Voice’s fashion coverage for 30+ years, and contributes to Vogue, the New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine and more. She is recognizable for her distinctive pen and approach to clothes, accessories and cosmetics as well as for her fabulous style.

Andre Leon Talley began his career at Andy Warhol’s Factory in the 70s. He reigned as Editor at Large at Vogue for many years, where he famously encouraged a dialogue amongst the editors about fashion.  Currently, he is a Contributing Editor to the magazine.  Beyond writing, Mr. Talley is renowned for his signature couture capes, Vuitton tennis luggage, and diamond Piaget that he wears to play the sport.

Simon is window-dresser extraordinaire, author, journalist, trend-setter and more. The holiday windows at Barneys New York are a much-anticipated tradition for fashion insiders, New Yorkers and Holiday visitors. We’re all familiar with his sharp Paul Smith shirts, work, whit and whimsy.

Like Andre, Glenn began his career with Warhol. Today, he is one of the city’s most revered writers and Creative Directors recognizable by his white hair, warm smile and impeccable style.

Editor-in-Chief of Paper Magazine, the first niche social-fashion-culture publication, Kim is a downtown doyenne known for her artistic sensibility, and as a mainstay of the New York editorial world. 

A dashing and somewhat controversial figure, Olivier has made his mark with an affinity for all states of undressed as Editor-in-Chief of Purple Magazine. He is a hands-on fashion reveler, multi-hyphenate: photographer-editor-stylist-blogger.

Fashion Halloween

It is inevitable that we’ll inaugurate the Debut New York blog with a remembrance of Fashion’s Night Out, or the Oscars of Fashion Week if you will, which took place world-wide on Thursday, September 10th. For one night the collective body of the consumer public was distilled into a well-trained operation with a mission to go forth, leave behind daily minutiae and dinner plans, and be okay with shopping. One of the benefits of our world at large is that it contains an astounding array of innovation and beauty in the form of consumables. Why not be amongst these items, partake in the offerings and support a once highly functioning retail scene?

In the months leading up to FNO there was a crescendo of buzz helped in large parts by Anna Wintour’s appearance on David Letterman, the coinciding and anticipated opening of The September Issue, and the involvement of the inimitable Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Diane von Furstenberg. New York became a stage set for possibility. On Thursday at last, as the sun went down and a hint of rain stirred the air, our city streets had a tensely alive glow emanating from typically darkened store windows. Women and men of all ages and from all boroughs milled about perhaps to shop or otherwise simply marvel at the spectacle and at the very least feel a part of a process. It was a bit spooky in a sense for so many people to be running loose in the context of fashion, and it was undeniably exciting. Like the change in the air that seems to occur fleetingly on Halloween, one wants the sensation to last. 

Debut New York was happy to host the evening with Omelle, a Los Angeles-based collection of luxury footwear helmed by Founders Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave. Omelle’s designs are born of a pure love for design, innovation and an authentic point of view on luxury – Cherise and Nicole fittingly bonded over their mutual interest while pursuing advanced degrees in design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Their synergy and diverse, yet complimentary talents and inclinations (Cherise has worked in luxury product placement, while Nicole has a background in graphic and knitwear design) allow for Omelle to be at once a new and strong presence in the footwear arena. We love their well-balanced, striking designs that can perfectly enhance or ground an overall look, and their clearly evolving design language that references luxe textiles and architectural elements. We look forward to wearing these three styles this fall, and long for spring to see what will come next. This, I think, summarizes Fashion’s Night Out simply: our appreciation and anticipation for great fashion has been stimulated, and we’re ready to move forward - for now taking each step clad in an Omelle cut-out bootie.

* For ordering information please contact info@debutnewyork.com or 212.343.2717