Fashion's Night Out Brings the 'Red Light District' to the South End

There's no need to head to Newbury Street or Copley Square to celebrate Fashion's Night Out. The South End will become the "Red Light District" for the nationwide celebration of shopping and fashion, featuring about a dozen South End retailers and restaurants. 

Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m., you can shop at Uniform, Turtle, a special Men's Pop-Up Shop at Gold Gallery, Coco Baby, M. Flynn, Flock, SAULT New England, or Sarah Campbell, to enjoy cocktails, free gifts with purchases, snacks, and shopping promotions including trunk shows, demos and special orders. 

When you buy at any of the participating businesses, you get a $10 giftcard to be used from 8 to 11 p.m. tonight at Aquitaine, Metropolis, Gaslight or Union in the South End. 

The aim of the South End's participation in the event is to create a buzz about the South End, according to Nicole Vale, owner of Coco Baby on Washington Street and Fashion's Night Out organizer in the South End. 

"We have all individually owned boutiques," Vale said. "You won't find this stuff anywhere else in the city. Same with the restaurants - each one has its own personality."

Each of the retailers will be offering a different promotion in store. Coco Baby, on Washington Street, will be serving cocktails and offering a special preview trunk sale for the latest fall fashions. At Uniform, you can partake in a rope bracelet making demo and enjoy refreshments. And there will be a special men's pop-up store at Gold's Gallery on Tremont featuring the latest fashions from Ministry of Supply, a new Boston-based business clothing retailer for men. 

"We have the best boutiques, the best housewares and the best restaurants, and I want the South End to be known for that," said Vale.