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by The Backseat Stylers | February 27th, 2013 
If, like us, you’ve missed the last four years of Fashion’s Night Out in New York and had big plans to attend the one-night-only shopping extravaganza this year, it looks like we’re out of luck. The news comes today that FNO is officially going on hiatus in the U.S. this year.
FNO was originally launched back in 2009 to help give New York’s economy a boost during the recession and grew rapidly to epic proportions both in size and budget. According to WWD, “the sponsors of the event — Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC & Co. — made the joint decision to go on hiatus so retailers and designers can focus their budgets on projects that are more in line with their specific objectives, rather than a big event on one night in September.”
So it looks like our plans to rub elbows with Anna Wintour and sing karaoke with supermodels this September won’t be happening after all, at least not in New York. Fashion’s Night Out will continue to be held in 19 countries around the world in 2013. Having just hosted our biggest FNO festivities to date here in Toronto last September, our fingers are crossed that Canada is still one of them. We’re not quite ready to let go of our after-hours shopping party just yet.
xx, T & S
by The Backseat Stylers | September 12th, 2012 
Shopping parties are the best when raided with an equally fashion-minded sister (at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique). (Image Credit: Richard Fabregui)
And just like that, Fashion’s Night Out Toronto has come and gone, but while it was here on September 6, we sure took full advantage. It was a jam-packed evening of shopping party after shopping party, the very best kind by our measure.
We kicked off our night at Toronto Eaton Centre (check out our recap), and the FNO fun was only just beginning. Next stop? Holt Renfrew, of course, where we joined a very magenta street party complete with pink confetti, limited edition pink Diet Coke bottles and a pop-up shop selling exclusive Holt Renfrew 175th anniversary paraphernalia. There may have been some confetti throwing and dancing in the street on our part (and photographic evidence).
From there we made the short trek to Hazelton Lanes to pay The Shopping Soirée, hosted by Toronto Fashion Incubator, TNT and Fashion Cares, and the MasterCard Stylicity Lounge a visit. There we chatted with a Mary Katrantzou-clad Suzanne Rogers, ogled the Kara Ross jewels on Gail McInnes and Kelly Claman, and caught up with some of our favourite fellow fashion bloggers, including Style Blog‘s Nelia Belkova, who also chose Clover Canyon for the occasion (take a gander at our FNO outfit post). There were also tables and tables of stylish goods to covet.
Our next destination was equally full of temptation for the pocketbook. A chauffeured BMW (by the way, how sweet is that?) took us to The Bazaar by RAC Boutique. More of the city’s independent boutiques than we can name had assembled together at the Burroughes Building to offer a carefully curated selection of chic offerings. The whimsical necklaces from Foe and Dear and statement jewelery from Love of Mine, in particular, were very hard to resist.
With closing time for Fashion’s Night Out just around the corner, we made one final stop at eLUXE‘s FNO bash. There was just enough time to admire the exclusive Smythe x eLUXE tuxedo jacket and make use of the photo booth with Toronto Is Fashion‘s Richard Fabregui. Fashion’s Night Out wouldn’t have been complete without the obligatory jumping session in the photo booth – am I right or am I right?
And with that, the clock struck 11pm, FNO was done for the year, and yours truly returned to our hotel room and ordered everything off the room service menu to cap off one hell of a Fashion’s Night Out. Till next year!
Me and Nelia Belkova – Clover Canyon loving twins! (Image Credit: Richard Fabregui)
Pink lemonade at Massimo Dutti at Toronto Eaton Centre – yes please!
Live-tweeting Toronto Eaton Centre’s fabulous FNO fashion show with PR all-star Jenna Stothers.
I really, really like confetti. Especially the pink kind at Holt Renfrew’s Hot@175 street party.
Well hello there, Gail McInnes, Glenn Dixon and Suzanne Rogers (in Mary Katrantzou!), at The Shopping Soirée at Hazelton Lanes of course.
Fabulous Kara Ross statement necklaces for all! Except me…I need to work on that.
Bloggers Richard Fabregui, Nelia Belkova, Marc Piercey, Anita Clarke and me at The Shopping Soirée at Hazelton Lanes. (Image Credit: Nelia Belkova)
Jeanne Beker at the MasterCard Stylicity Lounge. (Image Credit: Justin Charles)
Chauffeured BMW pour moi et mes fellow media types. No big deal.
Being silly with Richard at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique.
Actor Adrian Grenier and his entourage (see how we did that?) at The Bazaar by RAC Boutique. (Image Credit: Ashlea Wessel)
Working on my photo booth jumping game with T and Richard at eLUXE’s FNO event.
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | September 11th, 2012 
Image Credit: Mike Palmer
It’s been 4 days since Fashion’s Night Out hit Toronto, and we’ve finally recovered from having all together too fabulous a time party-hopping around the city, in sky-high heels, no less. We’ve spent the last few days nursing our sore feet back to health and basking in the glory of one very fun night that kicked off for us at – where else? – Toronto Eaton Centre.
Me with Susan, our very first FNO giveaway winner
TEC had invited The Backseat Stylers to live tweet during their FNO party, a task that couldn’t be more up our alley. We’re addicted to both fashion and Twitter, so it was the perfect gig for us. We spent the evening gifting tweeters with official Fashion’s Night Out branded t-shirts and totes; we felt like stylish Santas – though S prefers her Clover Canyon dress from Mendocino over a red suit – and may have found our new calling in life.
The fashion show, hosted by She Does The City’s Jen McNeely, featured the latest fall arrivals from Juicy Couture, Gap and Stuart Weitzman. The chicly styled looks (and gorgeous models) were a hit with the big crowd of FNO revelers, and with us as well. Between a sharp black riding jacket by Juicy Couture, a grey blazer with neon trim from Gap, and Stuart Weitzman’s to-die-for shoes and boots, there was plenty to covet and add to our growing fall wish list.
It was quite convenient, then, that TEC’s doors were open until 11pm for some fervent late night shopping. We took the opportunity to stop by the freshly-launched Massimo Dutti boutique and newly-renovated Harry Rosen store for a closer look. Located on the upper level, both retailers will have new neighbours in a few short months with both Ann Taylor and J.Crew setting up shop this fall. TEC is just getting better and better, and we can’t wait to shop the new stores for some new autumn wardrobe additions.
FNO revelers strike a pose
Missed the FNO shindig? Don’t fret. We’ve got a fabulous contest for you to make up for it. If you haven’t yet heard, we’ve teamed up with Toronto Eaton Centre to give one lucky reader of The Backseat Stylers a $400 shopping spree, lunch at Trattoria Mercatto and a mini style consultation with us! Contest details are over here. Enter now before the contest closes tonight at midnight. Good luck!
Free FNO swag make for happy shoppers
Thanks Toronto Eaton Centre for including us in your FNO festivities and to all you lovely readers for joining us for a gloriously fun time! We’re already counting down the days until Fashion’s Night Out 2013. Till then, follow TEC on Twitter and Facebook for news of upcoming fashion events.
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by The Backseat Stylers | September 11th, 2012 
“You always make me overdress!”, T complained, midway through Fashion’s Night Out last week. That may be true, but when you’re choosing a getup for a FNO gig at Toronto Eaton Centre, the bar is set high.
For my FNO outfit needs I headed to TEC a few days before, and it wasn’t long before I found a gorgeous Clover Canyon neoprene frock at Mendocino; it was lust at first sight. Everything about the dress – the bold print, form-hugging fabric and new-to-me colour palette – was completely out of the box for me. But what better day to push my sartorial boundaries than on Fashion’s Night Out?
While I hit up TEC, T raided my wardrobe. She pulled my favourite Equipment blouse and oft-worn Club Monaco faux leather shorts and paired them with to-die-for Stuart Weitzman booties. I’ve never worn these three pieces this way, and I love how she borrowed them from my closet and made them completely her own, with fierce accessories and hairdo to match.
Were we perhaps overdressed for the occasion? Perpetually. And that’s the way I like it.
    
S: Clover Canyon dress / Biko necklace / OBJECT for Danier bag / Alexander McQueen booties / MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup + NARS lipstick
T: Equipment blouse / Club Monaco shorts / Stuart Weitzman booties / Alexander Wang clutch / Forever 21 tank top
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | September 8th, 2012 
Alexa Chung in Moschino
Fashion industry insiders and fans around the world celebrated the fourth edition of Fashion’s Night Out on September 6, and a few of our favourite celebrities joined in on the sartorial fun. In New York, Alexa Chung donned Moschino to host and DJ the brand’s FNO festivities, while Jennifer Hudson attended QVC’s event in whimsical Charlotte Olympia pumps and a little red dress from her line for the television shopping network.
On the other side of the pond, Cheryl Cole chose a lace and velvet peplum number for a FNO date with Giuseppe Zanotti, and actress Amber Anderson wore a white Jonathan Saunders frock to the Mulberry bash. Miranda Kerr took part in FNO festivities too, sporting a printed Erdem dress to a party for her skincare line in Australia. All around the globe, fashion was indeed enjoying a fabulous night out.
Jennifer Hudson in Charlotte Olympia
Miranda Kerr in Erdem
Cheryl Cole in Giuseppe Zanotti
Amber Anderson in Jonathan Saunders
xx, S
Images via Just Jared, Mulberry
by The Backseat Stylers | September 6th, 2012 
Fashion’s Night Out has finally arrived! And with so many exciting events on the official FNO Toronto calendar and only 5 hours to fit it all in, we thought we’d give you a hand by narrowing it down to our top picks for the evening.
We’ll be kicking off our Fashion’s Night Out at Toronto Eaton Centre and you should definitely join us for the fashion show and FNO merchandise giveaways between 7-8pm. After that, we can shop till we drop (or until 11pm) at TEC, or hit up some (or all, if you’re a speedy shopper) of the following:
- Aime by Monica Mei (198A Davenport Road, Upper Level)
Preview the latest collection and receive a gift with purchase where a portion of proceeds will benefit Fashion Cares (Elton John Foundation & Aids Committee of Toronto). Tunezy will be spinning tunes on the back patio and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
- eLUXE (355 Adelaide Street West, Ground Level)
Debuting its exclusive Smythe for eLUXE blazer, eLUXE will host guests with a trunk show from Rebekah Price, branded sweets from Megan Wappel designs and six giveaways. Photostar will be onsite snapping all guests.
- Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor Street West)
Holt Renfrew presents “Hot in the City” street party on Bloor Street West. The store will be open until 11:00 p.m.
- INTERMIX (130 Bloor Street West)
Fall in love with must-know designers, exclusive product and covetable pieces. ILIA beauty will treat you to a natural pop of colour while the DJ spins of-the-moment music. Champagne and sweets will be served. 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
- MasterCard’s Stylicity Lounge (Shops at Hazelton Lanes, 87 Avenue Road)
Visit the Stylicity Lounge to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, complimentary styling and make-up applications from Maybelline and Redken, mingle with fashion stylists and enter for a chance to win a MasterCard gift card. Shop The Peacock Parade’s Fashion’s Night Out sale onsite for special offers.
- THE BAZAAR by RAC Boutique (The Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St West)
The Bazaar will bring together a wide array of Toronto retailers including: Lab Consignment, Drake General Store, Rescue Vintage, Robber, Philistine, Chloe Comme Parris, Foe & Dear, Love of Mine, Fashionably Yours and more. Goods will include everything from jewellery to shoes to a wide array of clothing. The Bazaar will feature music, snacks, beer and cocktails. Attendees will have a chance to win a pair of plane tickets from Porter Airlines to anywhere Porter flies.
Visit the The Peacock Parade to buy official Fashion’s Night Out tees and totes, on sale now. On Thursday, September 6th, at 11am est, The Peacock Parade will launch its special Fashion’s Night Out sale, featuring exquisite jewelry from Kara Ross, and luxurious cashmere from White & Warren. Free shipping on all items in the FNO special sale!
- The Shopping Soirée (Shops at Hazelton Lanes, 87 Avenue Road)
The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), TNT and Fashion Cares invite you to shop men’s and women’s accessories and apparel. Spend $200+ and get a special Fashion Cares 25th anniversary retrospective book. Spend $500+ and be eligible to win two VIP Gala tickets to Fashion Cares on Sept 9th featuring Elton John (a value of $3000), PLUS two VVIP passes to the after party and two all-access event passes! 10% of event sales will benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation and the AIDS Committee of Toronto. FLARE Magazine editors will be on duty helping guests style some of the industry’s finest fall pieces from TFI ‘s design stars and the racks of TNT’s international brands.
- Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street)
For one night only, Toronto Eaton Centre will extend mall hours, remaining open until 11:00 p.m. In addition, the mall will host a public fashion show at 7:30 p.m. in Centre Court, featuring signature looks from retailers Stuart Weitzman, Juicy Couture and GAP. Throughout the night, Toronto Eaton Centre will give away official FNO collection items via Twitter (www.twitter.com/toeatoncentre).
Don’t forget to follow @FNO_Toronto, @toeatoncentre and @backseatstylers on Twitter, and tweet us with the #FNO_Toronto hashtag to win some official FNO swag.
Happy Fashion’s Night Out everyone!
xx, T & S
by The Backseat Stylers | September 5th, 2012 
We’ve been counting down the days until September 6, when the spectacular Fashion’s Night Out shopping extravaganza hits Toronto. With so many incredible events on the official FNO schedule, the task of planning which to hit up, and when, can be daunting. Between shopping parties in Bloor-Yorkville, Queen West and beyond, there are plenty of must-visit destinations throughout the evening, but only one place to be to start your night off right: Toronto Eaton Centre.
TEC is pulling out all the stops for the shopping centre’s very first time participating in Fashion’s Night Out. Not only will its doors remain open until 11pm for all your late night shopping needs at selected retailers, but it will also be kicking off its night of FNO festivities with a fashion show. Featuring the latest fall arrivals from Gap, Juicy Couture and Stuart Weitzman, the show starts at 7:30pm at Centre Court, and you won’t want to miss it.
We know we don’t! The Backseat Stylers will be right there in the mix, live-tweeting during the show and as we shop at some of our favourite TEC retailers. We’ll also be giving away official Fashion’s Night Out merchandise over Twitter. Intrigued? Then make sure your fashionable self is at Centre Court between 7-8pm with smartphone in hand, and be ready to tweet at @toeatoncentre and @backseatstylers using the #FNO_Toronto hashtag for a chance to win 1 of 24 prizes available.
Is all of this feeling a little like the holidays have come early this year? Because there’s more. We’ve teamed up with Toronto Eaton Centre to give one very lucky reader of The Backseat Stylers a fabulous shopping experience that will make this Fashion’s Night Out even more epic than it already promises to be! Here’s what’s up for grabs:
- One $400 Cadillac Fairview shop! card® gift card
- Lunch with The Backseat Stylers at Trattoria Mercatto
- Style consultation with The Backseat Stylers (we’ll happily help you spend that $400 gift card!)
Want in on this incredible prize pack? Contest rules are below. Good luck everyone!
In the meantime, don’t forget to stop by Toronto Eaton Centre for a swanky new FNO outfit. S paid TEC a visit this past weekend and picked up a printed Clover Canyon number from Mendocino that she’ll be sporting on the big night. What will you be wearing to the Fashion’s Night Out festivities at Toronto Eaton Centre? We can’t wait to see. It’s a date!
xx, T & S
Contest Rules:
- To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post telling us how you’d spend the $400 gift card and ‘like’ Toronto Eaton Centre and The Backseat Stylers’ Facebook pages here and here.
- For a bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), follow both @toeatoncentre and @backseatstylers on Twitter, and tweet the following: “The @backseatstylers and @toeatoncentre are giving away a $400 shopping spree for #FNO_Toronto! Enter here: http://bit.ly/OaSI9R #giveaway”
- The contest closes at midnight on September 11, 2012. The winner will be selected randomly and announced on September 12, 2012. The winner will be notified by e-mail.
- There are no prize substitutions. Prize does not include travel and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Sponsored by Toronto Eaton Centre
by The Backseat Stylers | August 22nd, 2012
Fashion’s Night Out is coming to Canada! According to Toronto Life, the City of Toronto has confirmed rumours that Vogue and the CFDA are finally bringing their global, after-hours shopping party north of the border.
Mark your calendars, folks – the 4th edition of FNO will be on September 6, 2012! And we suggest you start saving up now for the exclusive one-night-only offerings and preparing for the possibility of karaoke night with your favourite fashion personalities.
The list of participating retailers will be released in mid-August, so watch this space!
UPDATE #1:
New retailers to sign on for Fashion’s Night Out Toronto continue to be revealed! Get set to hit up FNO festivities at Aime by Monica Mei, City of Toronto, Cole Haan, Comrags, eLUXE.ca, H&M, Holt Renfrew, INTERMIX, Juicy Couture, THE BAZAAR by RAC Boutique, The Peacock Parade, Toronto Fashion Incubator and Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Details of each retailer’s event are available on Fashion’s Night Out’s official website.
FNO is also coming to Chatham and Cookstown in Ontario, Vancouver (delightfully long list of confirmed retailers already!) and Surrey in British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec. Participating retailers can be found on the Fashion’s Night Out’s website.
UPDATE #2:
Check out our guide to the must-visit shopping parties for Fashion’s Night Out Toronto!
xx, S
Image via Bergdorf Goodman
by The Backseat Stylers | September 6th, 2011 
The promise of karaoke night at Barneys with Karlie Kloss, Tavi Gevinston and the Olsen twins hasn’t made Fashion’s Night Out all that intriguing to me in the past, but this FNO-exclusive minibag makes me want to book a flight to New York for the annual after-hours shopping extravaganza, stat. It’s a miniature version of the oversized suede clutch from the Miu Miu Fall 2011 runway, and it’s utterly perfect.
If you find yourself at the Miu Miu boutique on the evening of September 8th, staring one of these gorgeous clutches in the face, pick one up for me, will you?
xx, S
Image via Fashion’s Night Out
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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