Deal Divas do Fashion's Night Out!

The Deal Divas took in Fashion's Night Out at International Plaza Thursday night. It was the biggest celebration the mall has had in its 10-year history, and they really did it up big with fashion shows, a pop-up club, free treats and makeovers and general extravagance. The event was designed by Anna Wintour and Council of Fashion Designers of America to get people excited about style and stimulating the sluggish economy again. It has always been huge in New York, but events in Tampa have been small until this year's blowout at IP.
We stalked people on the red carpet and dissected their outfits, then toured the mall to check out all the festivities at the shops and, of course, documented it all for you. Check out all our pictures RIGHT HERE.

Here's my chosen FNO outfit. It's Bisou Bisou from JCPenney (or JC Pen-AY as I kept saying to sound fancier than I am). The shoes are Antonio Melani, snagged for 65 percent off at Dillard's. Also, you'll note, I'm wearing a GIGANTIC press lanyard. I've never seen one so big before. It's the size of my head. I ran into an old friend at dinner after the event, and he said, "Hi! You're wearing a HUGE LANYARD."

Here's Angela Skane, fashion writer for our friends at tb-two*. She wore the official FNO shirt from Nordstrom, as well as a black drapey thing from Rue 21 she confessed was on upside down because she liked it better that way. I love that so much. Happy accidents. Also, I was really into her makeup all night. Very polished and glamorous. Today is her birthday, so everyone wish her happiness!

Here's Deal Diva Kim on the red carpet at the mall entrance. She wore a Forever 21 scarf, a necklace from Fresh Threads in Tampa. Her shirt, naturally, came from her grandmother's closet. Kim wouldn't be Kim if she wasn't wearing her grandmother's clothes and making us all hate her because they actually look great.

There were lots of cool little features all night, like a caricature artist...

And a chocolate bar courtesy of our very own St. Petersburg Times.

And the stalking begins. This is Sharon LaSure-Roy and her husband, DeJuan Roy from Jacksonville. She wore Jones New York, and he wore a suit from JoS. A. Bank. He told me to make sure and get his shoes in the shot, which I halfway did. I never said I was a photographer.

Here's Nicki Pizzo who works in marketing for an IT company in Tampa. Her dress was Banana Republic. "Outlet," she whispered. Then I instantly loved her.

We saw these boots from across the mall and basically ran these ladies down to freak out all over them. Amazing. Melissa Mihok, left, from the sexual abuse-fighting non-profit Heels to Heal was wearing some snazzy heels of her own from Jessica Simpson. On the right, interior designer Amanda McMahon was covered from head to toe in labels. Her dress was Stella McCartney, her ring was Versace, her purse was Burberry and her boots were Gucci.

Here's a better look. Dying.

Deal Divas fans! Paola Kikendall, left, recognized our crazy faces and said hello, which we love. She said she shops for a living, which we also love. She was wearing Limited pants, a top from Dillard's and Rocket Dog shoes. Her friend Maria Rehm, who works in sales, was decked in a Ralph Lauren dress and Nine West shoes.

Raquel Joseh wore a bright maxi dress she bought online from Boston Proper paired with Louis Vuitton flip flips and a Louis Vuitton purse. Laura Gomez wore Nine West shorts and those fun shoes from DSW, our home away from home.

More Deal Divas fans! Leah Murray, in white, chased us down in the food court to say hello. She was so nice, we had to get a picture. She's wearing a shirt from Japan and a Forever 21 skirt. Her friend Megan Papis is also wearing Forever 21. If you'll notice, I'm doing the weirdo hover hand over Leah's shoulder. I'm hoping the camera just snapped at the wrong moment and I'm not that much of a creepster. Sorry, Leah! Thanks for reading Deal Divas!

Oh, I forgot to mention that when Leah recognized us, I was in the middle of chugging a giant Diet Coke and modeling a Chic-Fil-A cow hat. I keep things real classy.

Just for funsies, here are some things we can't afford at Neiman Marcus.

We ran into our friend and up-and-coming media mogul Amy Mariani, in the middle, in Neiman's. She's wearing a scarf her grandmother brought her from Italy, mixed with Forever 21, Express and flats from J.Crew. Her buddy Nicholas Trobiano was rocking some Calvin Klein and Zara. And Jenna Withrow mixed Target with Forever 21 and Nine West.

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Amy's legendary Anderson Cooper tote bag.

Kim just about had a coronary when she realized this model at Pandora was human, not statue. Fashion's Night Out will do that to you.

Here I am keeping it classy again by sneaking up on this guy playing a violin outside Tommy Bahama. I'm like Jack Hanna exploring the elements.

Inspired by the Dale Chihuly exhibit currently at the mall, you could buy a pair of shoes and paint them all crazy-like. We thought about it, but then realized we (I) spent our (my) last dollars on a Diet Coke from Chick-Fil-A.

This girl was so amazing, I had to take her picture. She was modeling at the mall's braid bar, where you could cop some cool hair art. I would have done it, if I had any hair to braid. Love her feather outfit like a lot.

Oh, look who it is! We found Deal Diva Emily just in time to retire to the Gallery Bistro for a glass of vino. Thanks, International Plaza, for a fun night. Did you make it out? Tell us about your experience at FNO.
Deal Diva Stephanie









Loading...
Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or
0
Comments