OK, ladies, let’s get this party started. You’ve all heard about Fashion’s Night Out, right? The madly successful global shopping event was spurred by Anna Wintour last September to boost retail sales. Well, the annual event is back and promises to be bigger and better. For details on what’s going on in New York, Europe, Tokyo and the rest of the world, be sure to check out fashionsnightout.com. But for some of what’s going on around town, read on. Ron Krinn, owner of Fred Boutique and The Bartolotta Restaurant Group (in yet one more example of their championing city style), invites everybody to “dress to impress” and attend this year’s free MKE fashion party on Sept. 10 (8:30 p.m.–midnight) at Bacchus. Come meet and mingle with boutique owners, other savvy shoppers, special VIPs and just about everyone who’s anyone in the local beauty and spa scene. Sip complimentary wine, enjoy drink specials, listen to live music by Fiery Phoenix and be treated to a few more surprises, all while celebrating some of the best fall and winter men’s and women’s fashions from Fred, Boutique Larrieux, Boutique B’Lou, Flaire, Stephanie Horne, SHOP and Lorena Sarbu. Be one of the first 100 to arrive and there’s even a gift bag in it for you. All in all, this evening serves to remind us all that when it comes to fashion, this town has plenty more to offer than cheese heads and polar fleece. 925 E. Wells St., 414-270-1009, ($4 valet parking available).
Meanwhile Falcon est. 2009 marks the evening (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) with its First Year Birthday celebration. Among the treats planned are an in-house DJ, stylist Jeff Mcconachive cutting hair in the store’s vintage barber chair, a presentation of cool Vivify bags by designer Cody James, created exclusively for the boutique, as well as a live fashion photo shoot by photographer Jim Brill. 315 N. Broadway, 414-271-9100, falcon315.com.
Swing by Boutique Larrieux on Sept. 10 (5-8 p.m.) for a groovy Ladies Night Shopping Party and you’ll get a first look at the store’s new, exciting, sexy, sophisticated plus-size designer lines featuring London Designer Anna Scholz, t bags, Courbes Sera and Chalet. You’ll also save 15 percent on everything in the store, partake in complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine, and be pampered courtesy of Karma Spa. RSVP required. 717 N. Milwaukee St., 414-520-4651, boutiquelarrieux.com.
Celebrating on Brady Street? Miss Groove (5-9 p.m.) steps up the fun with complimentary beverages and sweets, a 10 percent discount on purchases made during a Tammy Spice Jewelry Trunk Show and a drawing at checkout for 15, 20 or 25 percent off your most costly purchase of the evening. 1330 E. Brady St., 414- 298-9185, missgroove.com.
SAVVY STUFF TO DO
GO WILD WITH AFFORDABLE FAUX FUR: If you’re like celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, who’s crazy for fake fur that’s too luxe for words, listen up. Faye’s will hold not one but two trunk shows featuring Linda Richards Fun Fur collection Sept. 8-13 (Mequon location) and Sept. 14-19 (Brookfield location). All in all, a super opportunity to pick up on one of this fall’s hottest trends by a designer known for her elegant European-inspired style and easy care American practicality. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-8386 & 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.
VISIT WITH CREATIVES: Because there are so many of ’em, recently all the photographers, artists, sculptors, gallery owners and other interesting tenants of the Marshall Building have formed an Arts Association. And it’s going to kick off the autumn arts season on Sept. 10 (6-9 p.m.) with a building-wide Premier Arts event featuring them all. With lots of complimentary goodies to nosh, a cash bar and live music on each of the four floors, like a one-stop Gallery Night, the evening is a great way to take a peek at what everyone at this address is doing to keep the building so vibrant. 207 East Buffalo St., marshallbuildingmke.com. Park for free in the lot next to the building or in the Water Street Starbucks parking lot.
GET CREATIVE YOURSELF: As part of the Historic Marshall Building event on Sept. 10 (6-9 p.m.) and Sept. 11 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Grotta & Co. is holding a sale that should prove particularly appealing to inspired quilters, crafters and collectors. Shop 1,000 colorful and graphically detailed hand dyed and silk-screened silk, cotton and linen textile swatches in sizes ranging from 2′ x 2′ to 3’ x 8’. Culled from company archives, many were printed with screens no longer in service. Plenty of the company’s signature scarves, wraps and pillows will also be on hand. Pricing starts at $5, so plan on getting there early for the best selection. 207 E. Buffalo St., 414-273-8066, grottaco.com.
BUY SOMETHING CREATIVE: During the Summer Sale going on at Katie Gingrass Gallery everything (yes, everything) is on sale now through Sept. 19. Shoppers can expect to save 20-80 percent on all sorts of fine art, vintage posters and fine crafted items. If collecting evidence of artistic talent is your thing, don’t miss this great opportunity to snatch it up. 241 N. Broadway St., 414-289-0855, gingrassgallery.com.
BUY A BAG: Check out all the style and color options of hip yet practical and affordable Hobo Handbags available at the trunk show going on at Goldi Sept. 10-11. See why when just 20 years ago Hobo handbags were being made on a dining room table in Annapolis, Maryland. Today, they’re turned out by a multi-million-dollar company and are routinely seen on the arm of celebrities like Joss Stone. 4114 N Oakland Ave., 414-431-4832, goldishoes.com.
BUILD A BRACELET THAT SAYS A LITTLE SOMETHIN’ SOMETHIN’ BOUT YOURSELF: Like my sister did to celebrate the addition of her two sweet girls. In a sales event that only happens once a year, East Towne Jewelers rewards any shopper spending $150 or more on expressive gold, sterling, semi or precious stone Pandora beads and charms (or other Pandora merchandise) with a free bracelet on which to string them all together. 1515 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-8007, easttownejewelers.com.
EAT BETTER & SAVE: During Outpost Natural Foods fabulous annual Truckload Sale Sept. 11, you can shop all three store locations to purchase great grocery, personal care, dairy and meat items in case lots and packs just as soon as the doors open at 8 a.m. But remember, when they’re gone they’re gone, so be smart and shop early. 100 E. Capitol Dr., 7000 W. State St., 2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., outpost.coop.
SHOP WITH A SENSE OF DISCOVERY: Head off to the Niles, Ill., corporate headquarters of American Science & Surplus Sept. 11 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sept. 12 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) to check out the free annual Spend a Bit, Save a Bundle Warehouse Event. With thousands of cool and quirky science, school, home, garden, arts, crafts, lab supplies, lighting, optics, tools and robotic items on sale, seriously you just never know what you’ll find. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for kids and adults to take a peek behind the scenes at just what makes the company’s unique retail stores tick. Enjoy refreshments, games, trivia contests and hold on to your hat – free stuff. Yup, that’s right, they’ll be handing out a ton of products. Why? Because that’s just the kind of store they are, that’s why. 7410 N. Lehigh Ave., Niles, Ill., 847-647-0011, sciplus.com.
