More than 80 businesses and others have united to participate in the first Fashion’s Night Out Alexandria in September.

The event started four years ago nationally, with fashionistas, models, designers and other businesses hosting events on the same day around the globe in an effort to drum up the fashion industry’s economy and in turn, local economies as well. In 2011, FNO was celebrated in 18 countries with more than 4,500 events in the United States alone.

"Fashion’s Night Out is a fantastic showcase of our independent boutiques, but it goes way beyond that to spotlight Alexandria as a stylish destination with culinary hotspots, vibrant arts scene, and hip happenings at historic sites," said Claire Mouledoux, communications manager for Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association. “With so many participants in Del Ray and Old Town, we expect the event to boost traffic and sales for our small businesses and remind people how much fun it is shop, dine and celebrate in Alexandria year-round.”

Alexandria resident Monte Durham from TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” is hosting Alexandria’s Fashion Night Out, which he announced on the event’s Facebook page.

Some of the events include a fashion show at the Torpedo Factory, a runway show in Del Ray in coordination with First Thursday and special cocktails at Virtue Feed & Grain.

Fashion model Tameka Young, who is also the wife of City Manager Rashad Young, is the honorary chair of the event.