Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Macy’s, Inc. President and CEO Terry J. Lundgren, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, and designer Michael Kors today kicked off ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ at the Queens Center Mall in Flushing. Produced by American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York, Fashion’s Night Out will take place at more than 800 participating retail stores across the five boroughs which will stay open until 11:00 PM. It will feature in-store celebrations and promotions, including fashion shows, giveaways, charity tie-ins, model and celebrity appearances, parties with food and drink, live music and DJs, makeovers, product launches, raffles and more. The event is tied to the City’s Fall Fashion Week, which begins today.

“The fashion and retail industries support 175,000 jobs and $10 billion in wages and are vital for the city’s economy and long-term growth,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Fashion’s Night Out gives New Yorkers the opportunity to support local retailers while enjoying our world-class shopping and the enthusiasm that fills the City during Fashion Week.”

“This is a very exciting day for the fashion and retail industry,” said Anna Wintour.  “With the support of so many people and organizations from across all five boroughs, Fashion’s Night Out will provide visitors and New Yorkers the opportunity to enjoy some of the best that we have to offer – all for our good cause.”

“We are thrilled to host Mayor Bloomberg and help with the official kick-off to this exciting and groundbreaking event,” said Macy’s Terry Lundgren.  “This event—along with those from around the five boroughs—will provide a much-needed boost to the retail industry and help rebuild consumer confidence.”

Shopping is ranked the most popular activity among overseas visitors to New York City and second among domestic visitors, according to NYC & Company, the City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization. In 2008, retail accounted for approximately 21 percent of total visitor spending, or $6.75 billion.

“Shopping visitors spend approximately $240 per person per day when they visit New York City,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.  “The impact of such shopping in New York City cannot be understated and we will give our best efforts to ensure we maintain the vitality of this industry.  Fashion’s Night Out will be one more way to promote our retailers and give consumers a taste of the excitement and energy of the City.”

In-store events will include salsa lessons and guest bartenders Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at Barneys New York; a ping pong tournament at Stuart Weitzman; and a singing performance by Oscar de la Renta at his own Madison Avenue boutique. Also, the special limited-edition Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt will be on sale throughout the City. To commemorate and honor the memory of those lost on September 11th, 40 percent of the proceeds from its sales will support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Beginning today, there will also be a citywide clothing drive. People can donate gently used or newly purchased clothes at designated retail and public drop-off locations in each borough as well as some of the participating Fashion’s Night Out retailers. The clothing drive runs until September 12, and all clothes will be collected by the New York City AIDS Fund to benefit HIV/AIDS organizations across the City.

Drop-off locations and clothing drive collection sites include:

BRONX - Macy’s Parkchester (1441 Metropolitan Avenue)

BROOKLYN - Kings Plaza Shopping Center (5100 Kings Plaza- Flatbush Avenue and Avenue U)
Collection Site: Main Flatbush Avenue entrance to the shopping center

Macy’s Downtown Brooklyn - 422 Fulton St. (between Hoyt Street and Gallatin Place)

MANHATTAN - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tents at Bryant Park (Sixth Ave., bet. 40th and 42nd Sts.)

QUEENS - Queens Center Mall (90-15 Queens Boulevard)
Collection site: Lower Level, Macy’s Wing

STATEN ISLAND - Macy’s Staten Island - 2655 Richmond Avenue
Collection Site: Marsh Avenue entrance

A free shuttle service sponsored by Payless ShoeSource will provide transportation in Manhattan, stopping at many of the key shopping locations. Additionally, Aveda’s Experience Center at Fifth Avenue and 19th Street will provide complementary Pedicabs within a 15-block radius south of the store.  NYC & Company has also recruited hundreds of volunteers to appear throughout the City handing out Fashion’s Night Out maps with information on all the participating retailers and locations.

For more information on all Fashion’s Night Out programming and retail events, and to learn more about charitable and volunteer opportunities, visit fashionsnightout.com.