Philly and fashion go global

Area fashionistas will have another chance to break out their finery when Philadelphia joins New York, Paris and other worldwide cities taking part in Fashion’s Night Out on Sept. 6.

Flanked by stylish models, Mayor Michael Nutter made the announcement Wednesday, noting Philadelphia is “able to show the world that we are a city that’s ready to assume its rightful place among the fashion capitals of the world.”

Local designers and retailers will host special clothing events as well as extend business hours for late-night shopping. Included will be a runway show featuring five new designers selected in March as part of the Fashion Incubator Project initiated by the city’s Retail Marketing Alliance and Macy’s.

Latifat Obajinmi and Moriamo Johnson are Fashion Incubator designers, as well as sisters, slated to show their women’s clothing line during Fashion’s Night Out. “We manufacture our own fabrics so you’re not going to see our fabrics anywhere else,” Obajinmi said.

Keeping the fashion momentum going, the Philadelphia Collection, a series of style-related events in the city, will follow later in September.

Michelle Shannon, vice president of marketing and communications for the Center City District — who wore a rose-colored shift made by the designing sisters — said the addition of the incubator project and Fashion’s Night Out adds to the cache of the Philadelphia Collection.

“Both events have an opportunity to elevate Philadelphia on a national and international stage of fashion,” Shannon said.

Fashion’s Night Out, the brainchild of Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, began in 2009. More than 18 countries participate in the fashion event.