This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It wasn't quite New York City — where Donna Karan mingled with Miss Piggy and Kim Kardashian signed perfume sets — but Utahns got their own taste Thursday of Fashion's Night Out, the extravaganza Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour launched in 2009 that has proven so popular it's now a fixture in some 19 countries.
Utah's Fashion Place Mall hosted the state's version of the annual soiree, encouraging shoppers to dress up and pose on a red carpet with an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of Salt Lake Magazine, according to a news release.
A fashion show held in partnership with Salt Lake Community College Fashion Institute drew shoppers, who also were treated to exclusive offers, giveaways and other entertainment, the release said.
At New York's FNO, Kardashian signed $123 gift sets of her perfume True Reflection at Lord & Taylor, while Nicole Richie and Jennifer Hudson promoted their new clothing lines at QVC.
Donna Karan schmoozed with Miss Piggy at the DKNY store on Madison Avenue, the pig in a black dress designed by Karan herself — fittings and all. The two fashionistas posed together with hunky New York City firefighters featured in the fire department's calendar, their ladder truck parked outside.
Michael Kors helped judge a karaoke contest with Debra Messing and Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover girl Kate Upton at his Madison Avenue store. He called Fashion's Night Out the trifecta: "It's starting the new season, you're excited to see what's in stores. You're reminded it's fun to shop and you can feel the energy."
By dusk in Paris, the luxury shopping district was awash with thousands of people — both the serious shoppers and those who just wanted to enjoy themselves.
"There are too many people here to buy clothes. But people get to know the brands, and buy another time. Today, it's all about fun," said Corine Marneffe, 50.
Chloe produced one of the best spectacles in Paris: A parade of dancing cheerleaders who descended in camp style from a Chevrolet truck.
In London, models Yasmin and Amber Le Bon (wife and daughter of Simon) were walking in a fashion show at the Westfield shopping center along with Lizzy Jagger (daughter of Mick).
Does all the starpower and hoopla help at the register? "Ask me tomorrow," Max Azria said with a laugh backstage before his BCBG presentation at New York Fashion Week. He said it can't hurt to meet shoppers.
Salt Lake City joined other U.S. cities in hosting less flashy event. In Chicago, Saks Fifth Avenue was expected to offer free cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music; in Atlanta, Lenox Square Mall was to give out gift bags, hold a fashion show at Banana Republic and offer makeup touch ups at Aveda. In Dallas, fashion shows were planned at Galleria Dallas and NorthPark Center.
The event, timed for the first day of New York Fashion Week, also coincides with the final night of the Democratic National Convention. A Vogue spokeswoman said the event was planned a year in advance with thousands of retailers.