Birmingham Celebrates Fashion's Night Out

By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing Editor
Birmingham is polishing its reputation as a posh shopping destination by teaming up with New York City's fashionable elite to celebrate Fashion's Night Out.

Created in the wake of 9/11, Fashion's Night Out was -- and is -- a way to urge people to come out and shop to spur traffic at local businesses and get the economy humming again. It's become the official kick off for Fashion Week in New York.

Not to be outdone, the Birmingham event from 6-9 p.m. Thursday precedes the Motor City's own Fashion Week, which runs Sept. 18-24 at venues across metro Detroit.

So, what will you find at Fashion's Night Out in Birmingham?

A little bit of everything.

Models will be set up on pedestals throughout the principal shopping district along Old Woodward, showing off the latest in fall fashions. Most of the stores in town will have giveaways, sales, special offers, and a party atmosphere that should make it a good reason to grab pals and head out for a night of dining and dreaming.

Organizers promise there will be fall fashion finds, giveaways, champagne, hors d'oeuvres, charitable initiatives, coupons for future store/salon visits, complimentary hair treatments, free blow outs, and feather hair extensions. 

"This is the second year that Birmingham has participated," said John Heiney, executive director of the Birmingham principal shopping district. "Fashion's Night Out was started by Conde Naste and Vogue magazine to get people thinking about shopping and supporting local stores. Most of our stores are locally owned, so it fits with our message."

One of those locally owned stores, Tender, is pulling out all the stops for Fashion's Night Out.

"We're going to have the most fabulous clothing collections, we have exclusives on 95 percent of our merchandise -- We have Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Miu, Miu -- we have so many pieces and a lot of it is runway," said Cheryl Daskas, who co-owns Tender with her sister Karen Daskas.

Tender will have fashion Bingo games with prizes including "substantial" gift certificates to the store. A professional fashion photographer and stylist will be on hand to make shoppers camera ready, then take glossy pictures and send you a copy.

"It's a really relaxed atmosphere, it's a true celebration of fashion," Cheryl Daskas said.

As always, Birmingham's five downtown parking decks are free for the first two hours and $1 an hour after that.

"Every parking deck is within a block of where you want to be," Heiney said.

Participating Birmingham businesses include:
Antonino Salon and Spa, 191 Townsend
Ariada Boutique, 168 S. Old Woodward
Complex Boutique, 168 W. Maple
FIGO Salon, 265 N. Old Woodward
Grinstein Jewelry & Design, 162 S. Old Woodward
Harp's Lingerie, 265. S. Old Woodward
La Belle Provence, 185 W. Maple
Paulina B-H, 229 N. Old Woodward
SEE Eyewear, 160 S. Old Woodward
Shades Optical, 193 W. Maple
Townsend Street Pilates, 189 Townsend
For more information, check www.enjoybirmingham.com.