NEW York’s infamous Fashion Week is set to storn all five boroughs this September, with more than 1,000 stores announced to stay open until 11pm on a Friday night for special events and shows.

September 10 will see the second installment of Fashion’s Night Out, which will set the stage with a “public” fashion show, outside of Bryant park, at the Lincoln Center three days before.

“Fashion Week moving to Lincoln Center is really the nexus between the visual arts and the performing arts,” said New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The visual arts in clothing and what it looks like; the performing arts in how you wear it, what it does to you, what people think about it, and how it influences your behavior. And what better place to have Fashion Week than in Lincoln Center, which is the performing-arts capital of the world?”

Fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who joined the the fashion masses at New York’s City Hall for the announcement, described his delight that this year’s event will see another 200 stores open their door and recalled last year’s event..

“I was really happy to see people not in front of a computer screen adding to their cart, but actually getting out and interacting with each other,” he said. “It felt like what I think fashion and shopping is all about, which is a social ritual that people enjoy. It’s the exchange between the customers and the salespeople.”

Mayor Bloomberg had only kind words to say about the New York-centric event, but also came armed with a couple of sartorial jokes for the press conference.

“The men and women standing up here are the fashion-world stars,” he began. “If they say that boot-cut pants are back in style, then boot-cut pants are back in style. If they say capes are en vogue, then capes are en vogue.” Bloomberg then surveyed his own outfit. “And if they say a simple navy suit is the epitome of sophistication, then who are we to argue with that?”

Fashion’s Night Out is the brainchild of Vogue editor Anna Wintour and is an organised effort to promote the industry. Tickets for the giant public fashion show start at US$25 and proceeds from the sales will benefit the NYC AIDS fund.

“But if you can’t get a ticket, don’t fret,” added Bloomberg, revealing that broadcaster CBS will air the show live online.

Will you be watching? We will!

Find out what's hot in the world! Get the latest fashion in your email! Join our newsletter: