This year’s Fashion’s Night Out expands into Alexandria, Va.
By Anne Kim-Dannibale
Current Boutique, one of more than 80 Alexandria shops participating in this year's Fashion's Night Out. (Photo courtesy Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association)
This morning’s forecast may have been dismal, but the cloud’s are clearing up (finger’s crossed!) just in time for Washington’s biggest fashion event of the year. And thank goodness, since Fashion’s Night Out 2012, the global initiative aimed at boosting consumer confidence, is expanding even more. This year, fashion hunters not only have all of Georgetown’s retail treasure troves before them, they also have Alexandria to explore.
“Alexandria has become a stylish destination for fashion, arts and culinary experiences,” said Lorraine Lloyd, acting CEO of the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association in an email. And it makes perfect sense. According to Lloyd, over 75 percent of the stores and restaurants along King Street are independently owned, which speaks to the spirit of Fashion’s Night Out in energizing local retail. “Attendees of FNOA will find that personal touch of the local owner who is likely right there to greet you,” she said.
In addition to King Street, style setters also have plenty of fashion to uncover on the waterfront with a runway show scheduled for the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 North Union Street Old Town Waterfront, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.), emceed by Monte Durham of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta.” The artsy Del Ray neighborhood is also getting in on the stylish festivities with its own runway show featuring locals, as well as a “fashion block party.” All told, more than 80 stores (including our faves Periwinkle and Hysteria) and restaurants are participating throughout Alexandria — more than enough to put even the fittest of shopaholics through their paces. But you have until 11 p.m. (shopping until 10 p.m.). For a full list of shops, click here. For details on Georgetown’s FNO activities, click here.
