Over 700 retailers and designers are participating by hosting parties in all of the five boroughs. The events are open to the public and promise to include coveted give-aways, celebrity and model sightings and face time with some notable designers.

Leave it to Vogue to turn the whole city into one big catwalk.  To help you navigate the jam-packed fashion calendar, here are some of our picks for the coolest parties of the night…

Block Party
Centre Market Place (east of Centre Street, south of Broome)
It may be a tiny and hard-to-find strip of downtown NY, but Centre Market Place is a hipster heaven.  Built by Wendy, No. 6, Onieals Grand Street and Pipino Salon have banded together to host an all night dance party complete with shopping discounts, Pipino’s famous “pin-ups” for $35, a taco truck and photo booth.

Adam Lippes 
675 Hudson Street, 212-229-2838
In partnership with Havaianas, designer Adam Lippes will host a chic cocktail party where guests can personalize custom made T-shirts and flip flops while listening to tunes by DJ Phresh.  Proceeds from the sale of flip flops will go to the 9/11 Charity Fund.

Korres Natual Products
110 Wooster Street, 212-219-0683
Those in the know love this Greek brand’s all natural skincare products.  Their event will include a detox bar serving cocktails infused with Korres signature ingredients including pomegranate, honey and thyme as well as free make-overs and gift bags.

Barney’s New York
660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900
Forever our “happy place,” Barney’s New York is hosting a street fair with star designers Isabel Toledo, Thom Browne, Alexander Wang and The Row’s Mary-Kate & Ashley Olson.  To capture their irreverent and wacky attitude, the listed activities include salsa lessons, knitting and lip readings.

Ports 1961
3 Ninth Avenue, 917-475-1022
For the fashion globetrotter, Ports 1961 never fails to transport you to an exotic locale.  This season the destination is India and, in celebration, the brand has donated funds to build a well in India via charity: water.  Guests will enjoy tunes by DJ Donna D’Cruz, interactive elements, special guests and an exhibit of artwork by Indian artists.

In addition to New York, other international editions of Vogue will promote parties on September 10th, 2009 in all of the respective fashion capitals of the world including the UK, Italy, France, China, Japan and more.

For more information, visit fashionsnightout.com.

Expect to sample remarkable wines from Heitz Cellars 1976, as well as the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1996 and Michel Niellon Batard Montrachet 2003 (widely considered to be amongst the best white wines from Burgundy).

“Very seldom will you find selections like these available by the glass, ” explains Nic Bradley, Atria’s Wine Director.  “Every wine lover should have the opportunity to experience the magic of a fine wine and it is our goal to offer this experience.”

The events, hosted in the Rockefeller Bar, are hosted every Monday night from 5:30PM – 10:30PM.  The wine tasting includes three three-ounce tastes of exceptional vintages for $30 per person. Full glasses and half glasses are also available for tasting.

UPSTAIRS AT ATRIA: THE SWIRL – April 2009

Monday, April 6:  Champagne
Monday, April 13: California Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, April 20: Red Bordeaux
Monday, April 27:  White Burgundy

For more information or reservations, visit the website or call 212.262.4600.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Atria

But, the former party promoter and celebrity event planner was left wanting more. In 2004, Harrison left behind his indulgent lifestyle and traveled to Africa to help the most impoverished people on Earth. What resulted was the creation of charity: water.

It is estimated that the number of people who live without access to clean water is over 1 billion. Harrison’s organization raises funds to build freshwater wells in Africa and increases awareness of the global water crisis.

Charity: water has three donation packages that make giving back this holiday season simple and easy:

1 bottle of water for $20 = clean water for one person in Africa

24 bottles or 1 case for $480 = funds towards construction of freshwater wells

1 $5000 donation = construction or rehabilitation of one freshwater well

Since the cost of the bottled water is underwritten by sponsors, 100% of each donation is used for the charity: water program which includes satellite imagery and photo documentation of the completed wells through Google Earth.

And, to put his former party planning skills and 15,000 member database to good use, Harrison and his team are organizing the 2nd annual charity: ball on Monday, December 17th at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street). Hosted by Adrien Grenier (of Entourage fame) and model Jessica Stam, the event features a special musical performance by Cat Power and the Dirty Delta Blues as well as several multimedia exhibits, a photo installation and a silent auction. It promises to leave guests with a message of hope—that every person is capable of making a difference.

When we asked Harrison what he wanted for Christmas this year, he answered 50 freshwater wells. To help Harrison reach his holiday fundraising goal of $500,000 which will give 25,000 people clean water, we hope you will buy bottles of charity: water, tickets to charity: ball or just make a donation.

We suggest you start your shopping session at the Hotel Gansevoort where you can pick up your guide to the day’s activities which lists all participating venues. Then check out the hotel’s pop-up stores including, Le Blanc, Asics, Dunhill and Kenneth Cole whose suite features one-of-a-kind items for auction such as a portrait photography session with famed photographer Mark Seliger.

Some of our favorite retail shops like Theory, Tracy Reese, Puma, An Earnest Cut & Sew and Calypso will be offering exclusive discounts of up to 40% off. Free aperitivos by Peroni will be available throughout the neighborhood as well as free Bollinger Champange and food tastings at restaurants including 202 Nicole Farhi, The Inn LW12 and Nero.

For more information, go to www.detailsinsider.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Map courtesy of New York Magazine.