Payless Partners with NYC's Fashion Night Out

This year's NYC Fashion Week may be subdued, but it plans to kick off with the "single largest shopping event in New York City history." Fashion's Night Out was created by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the City of New York and NYC & Company to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion in NYC. Over 700 NYC retailers plan to participate in the event.

"Payless is thrilled to participate in New York City's Fashion's Night Out with an exciting program that is sure to help bring shoppers out on this special night," said LuAnn Via, CEO and president, Payless.

Payless will be the exclusive sponsor of the Official Ride of Fashion's Night Out - four Gray Line double-deckers - and support The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center with a charity tote. The Payless program will also include late-night shopping events, from 8-10 p.m., hosted by Payless Guest Designers Christian Siriano, Lela Rose and Patricia Field at three New York City stores: 716 Lexington Ave., 437 Fifth Ave. and 513 Broadway in Soho, respectively.

"At Payless we are democratizing fashion and that means making the latest shoe and accessories designs affordable for all to enjoy. Now more than ever, affordable fashion is taking a front seat. We've ramped up our inventory for our three late-night event stores, particularly with our Fall Designer products. We'll have stronger-than-ever affordable shopping and so much more -- designer meet and greet, style advice and a taste of everything from New York Fashion Week to wedding cake," Via said.

With the backdrop of economic uncertainty and sluggish consumer spending, we've seen a trend with fashion events taking on more mainstream sponsors like McDonald's and Wal-Mart. Fashion parties and corporate sponsorships thereof are expected to be subdued in comparison to previous Fashion Weeks.

The September 11 Memorial and Museum and the NYC AIDS Fund--will benefit from the initiative via the sale of a charity t-shirt and tote, and citywide clothing drive, respectively. On the same night around the world, and led by twelve international Vogue editions (United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Russia, France, Brazil, India, Spain, China, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan), each country will tailor its Fashion's Night Out celebration to appeal to its city's unique retail environment.