A couple of years ago, US Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America got together with the mayor's office in New York to devise an event to "celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry's economy, and put the fun back in shopping." The result was Fashion's Night Out – a cynic would say it's just late-night retail with a marketing spin, but nonetheless the idea caught on, big time, and this year there are FNOs in 17 countries worldwide (Mexico has the best t-shirts).
It takes place in different cities on different dates – finishing on November 5th with Japanese FNO and kicking off last night, September 6th, in Moscow.
On Stoleshnikov Pereulok designer boutiques were serving champagne to the committed Moscow fashionistas braving the evening chill in short shorts and high heels (it went down to about 8ºC, aka 46ºF). I loved these gorgeous suede Prada peep-toe platform Mary Janes (above), and her friend's fabulous die cut Alaia lace-up stiletto bootees (below).
There was more Alaia in the chic department store TSUM: these beautiful fawn-coloured wrap-strapped patent platforms.
Also in TSUM, I spotted these wonderful Alexander Wang bootees: grey felt uppers, leather lace ankle ties and among the highest heels of the night.
Back on the streets I met my friend Anna, who was rocking these amazing not-quite-bondage Benois Meleard sandals (below). They were a gift, she told me. "We were at a pub, when I broke the heel of my Camilla Skovgaards and my bf went to Mood Swings Apartment and got me those so we wouldn't have to go home and change my shoes!" Boyfriend of the year right there, wouldn't you say?
Among the delicate heels and bare legs the studded boots below caused their own sensation. The platforms are high enough to make the cobbled streets a challenge and the heels add another four inches or so. Their wearer was dressed down in jeans and sweater but from behind you couldn't miss that dangerous metal, flashing all the way down Stoleshnikov.
More studs in the Dior boutique, though the shoes are a particularly brilliant pair of Louboutins. Their owner and her boyfriend, in Yves Saint Laurent leopard print ponyskin chelsea boots, made the best-looking couple I saw all evening (and I am not saying that just because they thought I was French...)
The highlight of the night, in every way, has to be these divine monsters (below). Part Alexander McQueen, part Antonio Berardi (guess which Shoe blogger was too overcome with excitement to actually enquire about the label) – completely awe-inspiring. The boy (yes, boy) wearing them was, sensibly, sitting on the kerbside with his girlfriends, so I cannot answer the inevitable question – can he walk in them? But in the style stakes at least he can definitely give Daphne Guinness and Lady Gaga a run for their money.
To see Muscovites enjoying Fashion's Night Out from the knees up, take a look at vogue.ru's blog here.