An impromptu skateboard ramp (a half-pipe, the kids tell me) showed up in the middle of the intersection of Broughton and Bull Streets Thursday afternoon. Typically made from plywood and two-by-fours, a half-pipe ramp uses energy and momentum to propel skaters skyward for a variety of moves and tricks. So, the fact that it was smack-dab in the middle of the high-flying festivities at last-night Fashion’s Night Out, an annual global event celebrating the fashion industry, seemed to fit perfectly.

Like a pair of well-worn skinny jeans.

Thousands of visitors filled the streets of Savannah’s shopping and garment district, as models sashayed down a pair of runways, musicians hyped an eager crowd and dozens of stores opened their doors late into the evening for a transcendent night celebrating the unique world of fashion.

Participating retailers and boutiques included Banana Republic, Civvies New & Recycled Clothing, Copper Penny, Fab’rik, Gap, J.Parker Ltd., James Gunn, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sara Jane Children’s Boutique, Satchel, The Clothing Warehouse, Trunk 13 and Yves Delorme. For a full list of sponsors and retailers, please visit the event’s Facebook page.

South magazine, one of the event’s sponsors, walked the streets to check in and check out some of the night’s high-flyers.

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SM: What’s it like performing at Fashion’s Night Out?

“It’s awesome man, you already know everybody has some type of appreciation for the aesthetic, and [stuff] that’s less logic and a little more creativity and art-based.”

– KidSyc, aka Lloyd Harold, of hip-hop band KidSyc@Brandywine

SM: So, what’s your style tonight?

“I like these red checkered pants. They kinda put people on alert that we’re not going to be playing the same type of music as everyone else. I do the reverse Clark Kent when I put on my glasses,” referring to his signature black chunky frames. “I become a superhero when I put them on.”
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SM: What’s fashion mean to you?

“Fashion is a part of art, and a beautiful thing that we all create. As long as the art continues, we continue.”

– Musician and DJ Basik Lee, of local hip-hop supergroup Dope Sandwich
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SM: What is fashion?

“Fashion is the ability to be different, to express yourself.”

– Arturius Woundedeaar, catering professional

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“I have a lot of black and white [in my wardrobe], since that’s my dress code at school,” says Kennedy, a student at the Savannah Arts Academy. “So, maybe a pair of black skinny jeans, and some Converses and maybe a [button-down] Oxford shirt rolled up at the sleeves.”

– Nicole Kennedy, a model with Halo Models & Talent Group in Savannah
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SM: What’s your take on Fashion’s Night Out?

“It’s very atmospheric here — the people, the crowd, the open container policy in Savannah. You can’t beat it. It’s a phenomenal place to be.”

– Shannon Banbury, store associate at Urban Outfitters

“Savannah is such a creative place. So to have so many people with different artistic tastes to come together at an event like this is really special.”

– Caitlin Chamberlain, aka DJ Violet Elysian, and a store associate at Urban Outfitters

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TSM: What’s your favorite accessory?

“Shoes. And shoes. I would go with a neutral pump or a neutral wedge, because then you can use them with virtually any outfit. Dress it up, or dress it own.”

– Maggie Mooney, third-year SCAD accessory design major, specializing in women’s footwear

Writer’s note: Maggie, an associate at a Broughton Street clothing store, was nice enough to explain to me what a wedge is. A wedge is a shoe that has a heel that’s an extension of the sole of the shoe. It touches the ground, providing elevation. The more you know …