A NATTY NUGGET: Fashion's Night Out

Tonight is a big night for fashionistas in New York City as dozens of boutiques and businesses open their doors for late night hours and party hopping in an effort to celebrate fashion. For those who don't know, Fashion's Night Out is a worldwide initiative sponsored by Vogue and the CFDA to promote retail and consumer confidence. Participants are staying open until 11pm and are offering various delightful incentives to drive traffic and sales, while giving fashionphiles a head start on their favorite time of the year; Fashion Week. With so many places contributing to the event, it's hard to know which will be worth braving the well-dressed crowds in search of a good time. Here is a guide to some of the most happening, hot-spots to hit this evening:

Bergdorf Goodman 754 Fifth Ave., nr. 57th St. (212-753-7300) Why bother: Andre Leon Tally will host a Fashion Rules Game Show, MK and Ashley Olsen will tend bar, and Isaac Mizrahi will perform a cabaret act...seriously? This should be everyones first stop!

Barneys New York 660 Madison Ave., at 61st St. (212-826-8900) Why bother: Alexander Wang will be giving lessons to wanna-be catwalkers on how to work a runway, and what could be better entertainment for fashion week? Not convinced? Then try your hand at knitting with Wool and the gang, meet the designers behind Kiki de Montparnasse, and pick up some freebies at the beauty counters

Saks Fifth Avenue 611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St. (212-753-4000) Why bother: Get the chance to mingle with iconic designers like Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Peter Som. Plus the beauty department here is rumored to be offering a whole host of freebies (even more than Barneys!) Gucci 725 Fifth Ave., at 56th St. (212-826-2600) Why bother: Free Fashion's Night Out T-Shirts! (the kind everyone else is selling for $35)

Burberry 131 Spring St., nr. Greene St. (212-925-9300) Why bother: Enter to win a classic Burberry trench coat, and enjoy champagne and hors d'oeuvres while you cross your fingers...


Georgio Armani 760 Madison Ave., at 66th St. (212-988-9191) Why bother: Nora Ephron and Rosie O'Donnel will do a reading from the off-broadway play, Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

Kiki de Montparnasse 79 Greene St., between Spring and Broom (212.965.8070) Why bother: Champagne and aphrodisiacs to get you in the mood on while perusing their "Instruments of Pleasure" bar

Bumble and Bumble 146 E. 56th St., nr. Lexington Ave. (212-521-6500) Why bother: Free updoes and champagne!

C.O Bigelow 414 Sixth Ave., nr. 9th St.; (212-473-7324) Why bother: Free soda from a vintage soda fountain and freebie lip glosses!

Chanel 139 Spring St., at Wooster St. (212-334-0055) Why bother: Free manicures in Chanel's limited edition color: Jade.

Tracy Reese (641 Hudson St., nr. Gansevoort; 212-807-0505) Why bother: Darling drinks like the "Frocktail" and the "Plentini" - plus free manicures by Sally Hansen manicurists!

Space N.K 99 Greene St., nr. Spring St. (212-941-4200) Why bother: Free face masks and mini-facials, plus goodie bags stuffed with samples For more information, visit: http://fashionsnightout.com/

-Natty