Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Executive Director Steven Kolb today announced Fashion’s Night Out, a citywide event to support local retailers. On the first night of Fashion Week – September 10, 2009 – participating retail stores across the five boroughs will stay open until 11:00 PM and offer an array of in-store celebrations and promotions. Nearly 100 retailers have already signed on to participate in the event. Fashion’s Night Out is sponsored by Vogue, CFDA and NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization. Supporting local businesses and promoting economic activity throughout the City is part of the Administration’s Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan to create jobs for New Yorkers today, implement a vision for long-term economic growth, and build affordable, attractive neighborhoods. Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum, Macy’s Inc. President and CEO Terry J. Lundgren, designer Vera Wang, Robin Renzi of Me&Ro, National September 11 Memorial & Museum President Joseph Daniels and New York City AIDS Fund Chairman Len McNally, and more than a dozen retailers from across the City joined the Mayor for the announcement in the Blue Room of City Hall.

“New York City’s fashion and retail industry is a vital part of our local economy, supporting more than 175,000 jobs as seamstresses, sales clerks, delivery drivers and other occupations in apparel design, garment manufacturing, retailing, and other areas,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Fashion’s Night Out will provide our local retailers with a boost and will serve as a terrific kick-off for fall Fashion Week. I want to thank Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America for developing a creative way to support New York City.”

“Vogue is very proud to be part of this important initiative which will not only celebrate fall Fashion Week, but also support and draw attention to the extraordinary and unrivaled fashion and retail industry in New York City,” said Vogue Magazine editor in chief Anna Wintour. “The City is home to some of the world’s most celebrated and diverse designers, and renowned for its vast array of retailers from legendary department stores to the most charming independent boutiques. Fashion’s Night Out is about protecting this creativity and diversity, reenergizing New York’s fashion and retail community and getting consumers excited about shopping for fall.”

In addition to supporting local retailers, Fashion’s Night Out will benefit important New York City causes. A special limited-edition t-shirt has been created for Fashion’s Night Out and will go on sale at participating retailers three-weeks prior to the event. Proceeds from its sale will support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Also, shoppers will be encouraged to donate gently used or newly purchased clothes at participating stores or at specifically designated drop-off locations. Clothes will then be collected by the New York City AIDS Fund to benefit HIV/AIDS organizations across the city. Drop-offs will be made on Saturday, September, 12th, and there will be at least one collection drop-off location in each borough.

“Now more than ever it is important for New Yorkers to support their local community, and the programming for Fashion’s Night Out is a great, fun vehicle with which to do so,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “New Yorkers, as well as visitors to New York City, have an opportunity to give back while taking advantage of one our City’s biggest and most alluring industries.”

“Fashion’s Night Out centers around giving back to the community that we all so often enjoy and take for granted,” said Council of Fashion Designers of America Executive Director Steven Kolb. “Anyone considering making a clothing donation should keep in mind that whatever the price point of their donation, they will be making a valuable contribution to the City’s retail industry, while at the same time being a part of a one-of-a-kind evening of shopping and entertainment.”

“Small businesses are the mainstay of our City and support the diverse fabric of our neighborhoods,” said Small Business Services Commissioner Walsh. “When our small businesses succeed there are more job opportunities for New Yorkers.  I encourage everyone to get out and shop on Fashion’s Night Out -- to ensure our City maintains its vibrant spirit.”

“Working people in the city are hurting, and no more so than those who work in retail,” said Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum.  “This initiative not only serves consumers, but helps provide a needed boost to New York's retail industry at a time when it’s needed most.”

“As a retailer, we are very excited about supporting this citywide initiative designed to stimulate the retail and fashion industries,” said Macy's, Inc. President and CEO Terry Lundgren. “Fashion's Night Out is a great program that will get New Yorkers and tourists excited about shopping again in the City that is known around the world for its eclectic fashion and iconic retail stores.”

The program’s website, fashionsnightout.com, provides retailers and consumers with information on how they can take part in Fashion’s Night Out.  Consumers can access details on the programming, sign up for regular updates, and learn more about charitable and volunteer opportunities.  Interested retailers will also be able to register their store and place orders for the Fashion’s Night Out tee.

The City’s Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan is a comprehensive strategy to bring New York City through the current economic downturn as fast as possible. It focuses on three major areas: creating jobs for New Yorkers today, implementing a long-term vision for growing the city’s economy, and building affordable, attractive neighborhoods in every borough. Taken together, the initiatives that the City has launched to achieve these goals will generate thousands of jobs and put New York City on a path to economic recovery and growth. To learn more about the plan, visit nyc.gov. Recently, the City has announced:

• The start to construction of the International Gem Tower, which will house 3,000 jobs.
• Start of review process for Kingsbridge Armory project creating 1,200 permanent jobs.
• City’s Workforce1 Centers in Harlem and Jamaica received awards for innovation.
• Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program to encourage grocery stores.
• City-supported loans unavailable from banks to help small businesses stay in operation.
• Three new Financial Empowerment Centers offering free, one-on-one financial coaching.
• Stimulus funding to help the City provide summer jobs for 51,000 young New Yorkers.
• The opening of New Hope Walton Project, housing for low-income residents in Harlem
• New affordable housing at Gateway Building, a long-vacant structure in the South Bronx.
• The Harlem Business Assistance Fund to help businesses relocate to the 125^th Street area.
• The expansion of NYC Business Express to help businesses obtain permits and licenses.
• New international cruise activity, growing New York City’s 13,000-job cruise industry.
• Steps to help New York City’s bioscience companies compete for Federal funding.
• The “Nine in ’09” campaign to promote economic activity in diverse neighborhoods.
• A Center for Economic Opportunity program put 4,000 low-income New Yorkers in jobs.
• Stimulus-funded community development projects that will strengthen neighborhoods.
• Stimulus-funded Housing Authority projects that will create jobs for 3,255 New Yorkers.
• The start of construction of 103 units of affordable housing in Brownsville.
• A plan to protect area character and expand commercial opportunities in Sunset Park.
• The opening of Home Depot in the South Bronx creating 200 new permanent jobs.
• Legislation that will green buildings and create 19,000 construction jobs.
• The latest round of training funds to help small businesses train their employees.
• The final tally of 1,673 additional jobs created at the new Yankee Stadium.
• The placement of 50 laid-off New Yorkers into positions at entrepreneurial companies.
• New York City achieved a record 5,000 job placements through the first quarter of 2009.
• Help for a beer distributor to create 55 permanent and 30 construction jobs in the Bronx.
• Green projects at the Brooklyn Navy Yard are creating more than 1,700 permanent jobs.
• Comprehensive initiatives to support the nonprofit sector and its 490,000 jobs.
• Federal stimulus transportation projects that will create or preserve 32,000 jobs.
• New automated water meter readers that could help businesses retain or create 550 jobs.
• New programs to provide training and resources for City’s future entrepreneurs.
• Steps the City is taking to help small businesses adapt to conditions and avoid layoffs.
• More than 50,000 New Yorkers claimed the City’s Child Care Tax Credit in its first year.
• 11 new initiatives to support the financial services sector and promote entrepreneurship.
• A plan for Coney Island that will create 6,000 permanent and 25,000 construction jobs.
• A plan to create 400,000 jobs over the next six years in the 2009 State of the City speech.