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That’s right. No more shopping with Rachel Zoe, sipping cocktails made by an Olsen twin or stuffing your face with free mini cupcakes. After four years, Fashion’s Night Out in the U.S. is going on hiatus and let’s be honest: that’s not exactly bad news.
Since its 2009 launch, the event, which was initially created to help boost retail sales during the height of the recession, has become more about scoring free loot and spotting celebs rather than shopping and ringing up sales at the register.
Many industry insiders have assumed it was costing retailers more money to host FNO compared to the profits they raked in. So according to WWD, the CFDA (the organization that puts on the annual event) is bringing fashion’s biggest party to a halt to allow designers to focus on investing in their runway shows, which occur the same week.
Though it wasn’t all a waste of time, considering by 2012 FNO had expanded to 500 cities nationwide and 30 cities around the world. “I don’t think the success of it was measured only by numbers or money, but was really about engagement,” Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA, tells WWD. “Everyone feels we had a great four years. It brought a lot of attention to retail, to fashion’s important place in retail.”
No word on if and when FNO will return. Tell us: Will you miss Fashion’s Night Out?
–Jennifer Cress
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