A unique collaboration sparked by Anna Wintour between Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the City of New York will result in an unprecedented global celebration of fashion.

This effort will also touch St. Louis.

The event is meant to restore consumer confidence and boost the retail industry, if only for one night.

Throughout New York almost every major stores and dozens of boutiques will host parties after hours at their stores and welcome shoppers to do what shoppers do best.

Fashion’s Night Out includes events in India, Spain, Germany, Taiwain, the United Kingdom, Russian, France, Brazil, Greece, Italy and Japan. The event date coincides with the first day of New York Fashion Week to emphasis that fashion is the second-largest sector of industry in New York City.

NYC is the headquarters for more than 800 fashion companies employing 175,000 people and generating $10 billion in total wages.

At a New York press conference to announce Fashion’s Night Out, designer Vera Wang said this, “To put it bluntly, if people don’t shop, people lose their jobs.

All 40 Neiman Marcus stores nationwide are promoting in-store events that include “rapid runway” fashion shows, fashion scavenger hunts, celebrity DJs and other special events, including food and drink.

In St. Louis, the Plaza Frontenac location of Neiman Marcus will open it’s doors to live music from Jazz St. Louis. The Contemporary Art Museum will provide artist demonstrations, and the Washington University Design students will be sketching designs.

There will be a shopping spree raffle benefiting local arts educational programs.

So head to Neiman Marcus on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. for the free event.