| | | | | economy in these tough times." |
| While designers will be showing their collections for | | | | |
| spring and summer 2011 exclusively to retailers and | | | | In New York, fashion is the second largest industry |
| the media, the September 7 public fashion show to | | | | behind finance. The city is home to more than 800 |
| kick off Mercedes Benz Fashion Week will remind | | | | fashion companies, employing 175,000 people and |
| consumers of the styles they can buy now, | | | | generating $10 billion in wages. |
| organizers said on Wednesday. | | | | |
| | | | | "Fashion's Night Out" attracted thousands of |
| Coveted invitations to New York's Fashion Week will | | | | shoppers last year and retailers are hoping for a |
| be a little easier to snag next month, with the | | | | repeat performance, as the country struggles to |
| unveiling of a public runway show designed to inspire | | | | shake off its economic woes. |
| shoppers to add to their wardrobes for fall and | | | | |
| winter. | | | | U.S. consumer sentiment hit its lowest level in nine |
| | | | | months in July, according to Thomson Reuters |
| The show is a new addition to the second annual | | | | University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers, and |
| "Fashion's Night Out," a retail initiative by U.S. Vogue | | | | any renewed weakness in consumer spending -- it |
| editor Anna Wintour that aims to get people | | | | accounts for two-thirds of the U.S. economy -- could |
| shopping as the United States struggles to shake off | | | | cast a shadow on an economic recovery. |
| its worst recession in decades. | | | | |
| | | | | The "Fashion's Night Out" show, the largest public |
| "The fashion business is big business here in the Big | | | | runway show to be held in New York City, will |
| Apple," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a news | | | | feature trends for fall and winter chosen by Vogue, |
| conference announcing details of "Fashion's Night | | | | and the more than 1,500 available tickets start at |
| Out," which he said is "offering consumers more | | | | $25. On September 10, nearly 1,000 retailers plan to |
| opportunities to see all the city's retailers and | | | | stay open until 11 p.m. to persuade people to spend. |
| designers have to offer and helping strengthen our | | | | |