NYFW diary: Anna! Stella! Diane! Our recap of the Fashion’s Night Out madness!

Singer Estelle and designer Diane von Furstenberg shot by C. Madden
Singer Estelle and designer Diane von Furstenberg shot by C. Madden

While TIFF-goers will be clambering to get a glimpse of Brad Pitt at tonight’s Moneyball premiere, nothing could compare to last night’s flashing of bulbs and girlish screams that echoed throughout NYC for Fashion’s Night Out. I spotted Diane von Furstenberg addressing the crowd at her meatpacking store in Pope-like style, arms waving soothingly at her fans. Later in the night as Anna Wintour made her appearance (a show-dog circle and then, poof, she was gone!) outside Pastis where I was noshing on late-night frites, a parade of fashion followers braved her bodyguards and the cobblestone streets in six-inch stilettos, chasing after their fashion god for just a glimpse. At Stella McCartney‘s downtown store the crowd was smokin’ hot, and I’m not talking about their looks. A broken air conditioner had guests passing the Perrier like it was crack.

The Vince store brought the party outdoors with live concerts by Miami Horror and Free Energy, and at Alexander McQueen, the clothes were the guest of honour and one of my favourites of the night (swoon)! And then there were the showstopping party-goers themselves, everyone from fanny-packed tourists pawing at Stella’s fall polka dots and 85-year-old Iris Apfel look-a-likes strutting their stuff, to off-duty models and one Susanne Bartsch, complete with her over-the-top dressed-in-drag entourage. As for uptown, I’ve got one word: Bieber. It was a Fashion’s Night Out to remember, but as the shows start bright and early this morning there will be lots more to report, so stay tuned!

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