For the first time in years, New York City is actually turning down a night on the town.

The Big Apple-based Fashion’s Night Out (or ‘FNO’) brand recently announced that the popular event would be going on hiatus this year, despite its four previous years of success amongst the city’s fashion forward enthusiasts.

Created during the 2009 recession, FNO was a celebration of NYC shopping that eventually grew to encompass over 500 cities nationwide and 30 globally.

The occasion’s official website released a statement on the cancellation, which reads:

‘After four exciting and successful years, the FASHION’S NIGHT OUT will go on hiatus in the United States, in order to enable retailers to channel their resources towards strategies more in keeping with their current priorities. The event will be held in select international cities.’

Steven Kolb, FNO representative for the Council of Fashion Designers of America, stated that although the event may not have been monetarily successful, the event did its part in rebirthing the fashion element of retail.

‘I don’t think the success of it was measured only by numbers or money, but was really about engagement.…Everyone feels we had a great four years. It brought a lot of attention to retail, to fashion’s important place in retail. Everyone feels really proud of what we accomplished, and excited to take those lessons and continuing them throughout the year,’ said Kolb.

Others have speculated that the event was cancelled due to its becoming a ‘street festival’ or ‘party for tourists.’ Whatever their reasoning, it’s certain that FNO will undoubtedly be missed.

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