Boston stores to stay open late tonight for Fashion’s Night Out
Tonight, clothing stores in Boston will stay open late as part of a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence and celebrate the fashion industry, said Jamall Oluokun, organizer of Fashion’s Night Out Boston and managing director of fashion resource website couturium.com.
US and international editions of Vogue have coordinated an evening of shopping and entertainment in cities around the world, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially declared Sept. 10, 2009 as Boston’s Fashion’s Night Out Day.
“Retail is an important part of the economy, and anything that helps stimulate sales is good for everyone,” said Tony Nunziante, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Tourism.
Twenty-nine stores, including boutiques, department and specialty stores, will participate in Fashion’s Night Out, according to the event website, fashionsnightoutboston.com. They are encouraged to stay open until 11 p.m. and implement creative experiences to attract customers, Oluokun said.
Many stores signed up just days before the event because the mayor didn’t officially endorse it until Aug. 17. Vogue required Menino’s endorsement before permitting Boston stores to use the name Fashion’s Night Out, which they own the trademark to, Oluokun said.
“We did a lot of outreach just e-mailing boutiques and making phone calls,” he said. “Very grassroots, but still very effective.”
Ayana Blue, a junior marketing major and president of Northeastern club Haute Fashion, said she is encouraging students interested in the industry to attend Fashion’s Night Out.
