By Anna Rice, News Staff

Tonight, clothing stores in Boston will stay open late as part of a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence and celebrate the fashion industry, said Jamall Oluokun, organizer of Fashion’s Night Out Boston and managing director of fashion resource website couturium.com.
US and international editions of Vogue have coordinated an evening of shopping and entertainment in cities around the world, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially declared Sept. 10, 2009 as Boston’s Fashion’s Night Out Day.
‘Retail is an important part of the economy, and anything that helps stimulate sales is good for everyone,’ said Tony Nunziante, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Tourism.
Twenty-nine stores, including boutiques, department and specialty stores, will participate in Fashion’s Night Out, according to the event website, fashionsnightoutboston.com. They are encouraged to stay open until 11 p.m. and implement creative experiences to attract customers, Oluokun said.
Many stores signed up just days before the event because the mayor didn’t officially endorse it until Aug. 17. Vogue required Menino’s endorsement before permitting Boston stores to use the name Fashion’s Night Out, which they own the trademark to, Oluokun said.
‘We did a lot of outreach just e-mailing boutiques and making phone calls,’ he said. ‘Very grassroots, but still very effective.’
Ayana Blue, a junior marketing major and president of Northeastern club Haute Fashion, said she is encouraging students interested in the industry to attend Fashion’s Night Out.
‘Late night shopping in Boston is a great example of how the fashion industry in Boston is growing,’ she said. ‘I’m encouraging Haute members to attend because it is much more than their favorite stores having extended hours. This event is a networking opportunity for those interested in the fashion industry that should really be taken advantage of.’
Luna Boston, a handbag and shoe retailer located at 205 Newbury St., will host local clothing designer Sam Mendoza, who will set up shop with his latest dresses. The store will also offer complementary drinks, dim sum and special deals to shoppers until at least 9 p.m., said marketing manager Jennifer Dziubeck.
‘We had been contemplating doing an event even before Mayor Menino made an official declaration,’ Dziubeck said. ‘So we were beyond thrilled to hear that the city was officially on board. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the amazing shops and designers that Boston has to offer, show off our fall handbag collections, and get our customers excited about shopping again.’
Clothing boutique Soodee, at 170 Newbury St., will stay open until 11 p.m. and offer a 15 percent discount to college students after 6 p.m. They will also serve complementary drinks, sushi and other snacks to shoppers, owner Diane Agoun said.
‘We’re really excited,’ she said. ‘We’re hoping to attract local college students to our new location because we have a lot of fun party outfits.’
LF, at 353 Newbury St., will serve snacks and have a DJ playing music in the store, said manager Stephanie Macoul.
Neiman Marcus in Copley Place will host several in-store events, including a meet and greet with jewelry designer Cynthia Bach and the mold breaking of a Daum crystal piece, according to the store’s website.
Saks Fifth Avenue in the Prudential Center will be giving away a Kiehl’s gift basket, according to the event website.
Other stores participating in Fashion’s Night Out include Rapt Boutique, at 314 Newbury St; Serenella, at 134 Newbury St; Cynthia Rowley, at 164 Newbury St; DKNY, at 37 Newbury St; and Louis Boston, at 234 Berkeley St, Oluokun said.
The complete list of participating retailers is on fashionsnightoutboston.com.
Pending the evening’s success, the city may consider doing a similar event annually, Oluokun said. Since Vogue owns the trademark to Fashion’s Night Out, Boston could only call the event by that name if the magazine decided to do it again, Oluokun said.
‘If they want to do it again then we definitely would sign on and it would probably be a lot more popular,’ Oluokun said. ‘Or Boston stores could get together and do something different.’
‘