From being styled by Roksanda Ilincic in London to being serenaded by Oscar de
la Renta in New York, tomorrow, shopping will shake off the blues as the
international family of Vogues hosts Fashion’s Night Out.
Should we celebrate shopping? It’s easy to be po-faced and condemn it as the
engine of over consumption, global warming and our seemingly ever-increasing
sense of discontentment... but that would be like blaming food for obesity.
While it has burgeoned into a leisure activity that can be pursued 24/7, the
skill, the craft, alright, the art of shopping often gets ignored.
This isn’t about swanking into Tiffany’s in pursuit of a diamond as big as
The Ritz, although please feel free. The humblest of purchases, whether it’s
an apple, a hammer or a notebook, becomes a little piece of life
affirmation, a celebration of small, daily pleasures, when care is taken and
discrimination applied.
Isn’t this about choice? You get a kick out of buying a new car, I’ll take the
bus and splurge on a new jacket. Or even a new book. Perhaps ultimately it’s
useless to rail against consumption. We’re hunter gatherers: it’s in our
genes. Let’s do it properly.
Lisa Armstrong
Franca Sozzani, Italian Vogue
I adore to dream and ponder over what to search out and buy. The main precept
of my shopping life is that I don’t mean to follow fashion itself, I mean to
look for a style. And my concept of style isn’t a singular and unique way of
dressing, but an eclectic mix that still has to be precise and well-defined.
For example, during the day I like to wear flat shoes, tailored jackets,
masculine pants, even men’s shirts. For the evening, instead, I prefer
elegant dresses, long or embroidered, and antique jewellery with high-heeled
shoes. I think style should not be only in relation to fashion but to a
lifestyle. I, for instance, love to shop for antiques or art books. I enjoy
very much black-and-white photography and shopping for my son.
Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue
What I love about shopping is that it fulfils different functions. Acquisition
is such a small part of the experience. It’s the excitement of possibility
that is the most enjoyable part — the idea that you are going to find
treasure. My most enjoyable shopping is ad hoc. It’s walking down the road
and spotting something in the window of a store that draws me in “just for a
look” and then results in buying something that gives me tremendous
pleasure. London is my favourite shopping city because there are so many
different kinds of shops — the markets, the department stores, the
boutiques, the big designer flagships and our incredible high street chains.
I like to shop spontaneously; in my experience the activity of going out to
by something specific is normally a disaster. The panic of trying to find
the perfect outfit for a special occasion is something to be avoided at all
costs. When you see something you really love, grab it.
Anna Wintour, American Vogue
When I first mentioned Fashion’s Night Out to my friend Vera Wang, a fashion
designer here in New York, she gave me a quick double take. While her
business, like everyone else’s, was having to ride out the recession — Vera
always jokes that she has this knack for opening a store just before some
new global cataclysm hits — it had never crossed her mind, not once, to stop
shopping. “Anna,” she said, laughing, “I did shop, I do shop, and I will
continue to shop!” For Vera, hitting the stores is about more than an act of
acquisition. It’s one of self-invention and self-empowerment, no matter how
small and inexpensive her purchase might be. It's Vera’s attitude that I’ll
keep in mind when I do the rounds on September 10.
I’m going from Macy’s in Queens to Manhattan, where I’ll drop by Ralph Lauren,
the Oscar de la Renta store — Oscar promises to sing! — then Intermix to see
Sienna Miller, and on to Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Dior, Saks Fifth Avenue
(where there will be a William Rast pop-up shop), and Sean John, finishing
up at the Meatpacking block party hosted by Theory and Diane von
Furstenberg.
What am I looking to buy? Something in red, some new boots, and some kind of
savage fur (that’s American Vogue shorthand, so you know, for a
rough, shaggy stole or collar of some kind).
It’s not a lot, but isn’t that the whole point of shopping these days (and
probably should always have been)?
You don’t need much, just whatever you’ll love and that will really mean
something to you.
Aliona Doletskaya, Russian Vogue
I love shopping. Often, I go shopping with somebody, to have a second opinion
and more fun. I always celebrate a purchase, however small it is, with a fab
espresso and/or a glass of wine.
For me it is the thrill of a hunt, to find something that reflects the edge of
the current season, but at the same time is really me.
From the moment I see a dress on the runway until it appears in the stores, I
have probably come across it at least 20 times on the pages of my magazine,
ads, fashion websites and other publications. This item becomes sort of a
good old friend that already lives in my wardrobe. So shopping, for me,
turns into a challenging hunt for new friends.
Carine Roitfeld, French Vogue
What is most important for me about the clothes I buy is that they fit
perfectly. I bring almost all my new clothes to my retoucher and spend a lot
of time with him to make sure that they fit me as if they were completely
tailor-made. I buy mostly classic, timeless pieces, such as knee-length
pencil skirts: I always buy a few every season and never get tired of them.
But I am also a real fashion addict and every season I fall in love with a
few eccentric, strong, designer pieces that I just have to get. Those
strong, wild, pieces complement my more classic clothes.
Finally, I have to say that the thrill of falling in love with a piece of
clothing, of rushing to the store, hoping it will be available, trying it on
and leaving the store with the precious package, is still a real pleasure
and can relieve a headache!
Elena Makri, Greek Vogue
I fear that the economic crisis has brought anxiety into the shopping
experience. It is increasingly difficult for a woman to keep up with all the
new trends and “must have” items. Talking from experience, I believe that it
is much more rewarding to single out the best creations of a collection, the
ones that will pass the test of time. One’s personal style is emphasised so
much more when combining different pieces rather than copying the look on
the catwalk Now with the crisis, it is also a necessity. I for one am
already enjoying it.
Angelica Cheung, Chinese Vogue
When I was growing up in Beijing and the only clothing choice was a blue, grey
or green Mao suit, it was beyond the realms of even the wildest imagination
that the city would, three decades later, have world-class boutiques. The
Chinese way of shopping is different from that of the Western world. Malls
rule the roost here.
My personal style leans towards classic and simple one-piece dresses, and
jackets in black or white. I tend to favour Chanel, Prada and Lanvin, but
Chinese designers such as Shiatzy Chen, Qiu Hao and Zou You are great at
capturing the modern silhouette for working women.
The new generation combine European and Chinese styles.
Priya Tanna, Indian Vogue
For me, shopping is therapy: it soothes my spirit. On a stressful day at Vogue,
I pop out to Neemrana at lunch and buy a hand-embroidered kaftan. Or two.
I’ve never had a case of buyer’s remorse. The trick lies in really knowing
your body, understanding what works, spending only what you can afford, and
buying only what you love. A year ago, I saw a beautiful, sequined Abraham &
Thakore coat and I had to have it. I am yet to wear it. But I know that the
perfect time will come.
Christiane Arp, German Vogue
For me, shopping is about taking some precious time for myself.
I live in Munich, but Berlin is my first port of call for shopping. In
department stores, such as Quartier 206, you can discover many new things
under one roof.
Online shopping isn’t an option for me. In my view, shopping isn’t simply
about spending money, it is about being inspired. Because it is the soft,
silky sensation of running our fingers over a beautiful fabric that makes us
into true shopaholics.
Yolanda Sacristàn, Spanish Vogue
I like to go shopping alone. I love going to the shops, touching everything,
trying everything on, imagining how I can mix and match things, or on which
occasion I can wear a certain item. I like to look before I decide to buy,
and to know that I have got the right outfit to suit me from the office to
cocktails. Sometimes finding the time to shop is tricky, which is where a
simple list comes in handy: where to find a coat from YSL, shoes from
Louboutin, something by Cavalli ... the list goes on.
Mitsuko Watanabe, Japanese Vogue
Taking inspiration from the windows and people watching, catching the
atmosphere of the times and real trends on the streets, and discovering
exquisite fashion and beauty treasures — my shopping often involves a
combination of various aims.
I feel that Omotesando in Tokyo is the ultimate melting pot of diverse styles
and fashion experiments conceivable today. A stroll among the avenue’s
classy madams and fashion-forward youth culture will amaze you.
Clear the diary for fashion's night out
If reading this has got you in the mood for a little retail therapy, or maybe
just some browsing, then Fashion’s Night Out is the time to follow that yen.
Here are just a few of your options tomorrow.
At Browns on South Molton Street, Marios Schwab, Roksanda Ilincic and William
Tempest will all be pitching in as personal stylists on the night.
Go to Gap on Oxford street for a live performance by VV Brown, complimentary
styling advice, beer, burgers, and the chance to by a limited-edition pair
of jeans.
At LK Bennett (Regent Street, Sloane Street, or Bruton Street) guests will
have the chance to design, and win, their own perfect pair of heels. At
Burberry on Bond Street, the Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman will host a
party from 6pm, and Burberry fans including Amber Le Bon, Laura Bailey, Lily
Cole, Antonio Berardi and Jonathan Saunders will be browsing the store.
Head to Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street to take in four catwalk shows,
and then on to Selfridges, where Agent Provocateur is launching a new
collection and there’s the chance to win a £1,000 shopping spree.
To find out everthing that’s going on at Fashion’s Night Out in London and the
12 other cities taking part, see the Vogue website, www.vogue.co.uk/fashionsnightout
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