Rye Fashion Night Out Tonight

While many fashionistas will be promenading down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan tonight, local style mavens will surely stay close to home for fete.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday evening, local merchants will put on the ritz for the first ever Rye's Fashion Night Out. 

Vogue editor Anna Wintour invented the now global retail celebration of fashion to prop up sagging sales and over the last four years the concept has evolved into something much more inspired: an opportunity to celebrate local fashion retailers and spur on hometown businesses.

had a brainstorm that Rye should be one of more than 4,500 sites participating in today's unique homage to style. Rye is one of only seven official Hudson Valley locations for Fashion's Night Out this year.

More than 20 Rye merchants, from her own eponymous boutique to the newest arrival shoe purveyor , will take part in tonight's fashion fete.

Participating merchants, including , , ,  and , will make the fun with raffle prizes, mini makeovers and celebrity appearances. owner Renee Drummond busied herself Wednesday with preparations for Thursday evening's program. 

announced Wednesday that basketball legend Isiah Thomas will hold court as their guest bartender tonight.