One of the most fun events on the fashion calendar each year is Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out (VAEFNO). Celebrating all things fashion, with everything from shopping (and great discounts and deals to match) to activations such as the luxe American Express Lounge. It’s a sartorial playground and an event that I look forward to every year.
This year, I teamed up with American Express for the ultimate Platinum journey to the launch of VAEFNO in Melbourne’s Little Bourke St. I am a long-time American Express Platinum card member and always have it by my side. So I knew already just how handy it is to have when faced with a busy schedule. My first stop? To pick up an outfit!
When it comes to searching for a great look, my number one port of call had to be the newly refurbished David Jones Elizabeth Street flagship store in Sydney. David Jones is also the major retail partner for VAEFNO, so I knew the team would be able to help me find an outfit that perfectly fit the event brief, the theme being New York City block party. I needed to find two ensembles, one for VAEFNO in Melbourne and one for a special Date with Kate with Vogue Australia editor-in-chief, Edwina McCann. After a big shopping expedition, I settled on a Dion Lee dress for lunch and a Balmain blazer and silver MSGM skirt for VAEFNO. A few quick taps of my Platinum card and it was onto planning the rest of my trip.
I had a few events to book in the lead up to VAEFNO and my American Express Platinum Card has some great features that were able to make it easier. The American Express Platinum Concierge is able to recommend amazing restaurants both locally and overseas so with their help, I eventually secured a lunch booking for Edwina and myself at Catalina in Sydney. Water views and delicious food? Definitely fitting for a Date with Kate with the woman at the helm of the most influential fashion magazine in Australia.
Edwina and I had the opportunity to chat all things VAEFNO, which is particularly special this year as the event is in its 10th year. Edwina explained that she was excited to see the newly transformed David Jones store, as well as the American Express lounge.
She also explained how the event gave Vogue and American Express an opportunity to work together to reward Card Members with special offers, and help support the retail industry and small business communities in Sydney and Melbourne. This year over 600 retailers are taking part in the spend $50, get $20 back Amex Offer.
“Amex cardholders and members of the public can shop like Vogue VIPs for the night and make it a really fun night out. [It also] reminds people that bricks and mortar shopping is still a great experience,” Edwina told me,
Heading to Melbourne, I had travel plans to book so I took advantage of the fact that my American Express Platinum Card gives me access to Fine Hotels & Resorts, a collection of over 100 5-star properties around the world. I decided to book the stunning Crown Towers and was able to take advantage of Platinum benefits including late check-out, complimentary breakfast and even a nice little room upgrade to a beautiful Studio Room overlooking the Yarra.
On the way down to Melbourne, I stopped into the Virgin Australia domestic lounge at Sydney Airport, which gave me the opportunity to catch up on some work before my flight — another great Platinum benefit when flying Virgin. Having a comfy place to hang out before a flight is always an enjoyable perk, especially when you’re like me and your office is constantly on the move.
Since I’d already sorted my outfit in Sydney, the only thing left to do in Melbourne was find someone to do my hair and makeup. Luckily, I was able to use my Platinum card to book makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo who glammed me up with a cool mermaid wave ‘do and my favourite event look— a smoky eye.
VAEFNO is always guaranteed to be a big night. Not only is there plenty of shopping to be done, but there are so many cool fashion and beauty activations so I was on-the-go pretty much the entire night. I also hosted a takeover on the @amexau Instagram channel, which meant I got to show off all the cool things that were happening throughout the event. When I did get a chance to take a breather, I made my way to the American Express Lounge where there was great music, tasty bagels and a complimentary glass of GH Mumm champagne available to all Card members. I ran into a few friends along the way, so I was happy to be able to bring two guests into the Lounge with me using my Platinum card. It was the perfect place to restore my energy between shopping, and then do it all again.
Being a guest at VAEFNO was a lot of fun, but as always there’s plenty of behind the scenes work to get me there and it’s always nice to take advantage of the little rewards that my American Express Platinum card has to offer to help make it a whole lot easier. Now, onto VAEFNO in Sydney…
This post was produced in collaboration with American Express
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