Why is Microsoft at New York Fashion Week? It's on a digital date with Bloomingdale's, which has been getting increasingly interactive with its window displays to not only promote brands such as BMW, but even allowing passersby to stop and "try on" sunglasses or customize Havaianas flip-flops.

The intersection of fashion, retail and digital technology was highlighted in a co-branded Fashion's Night Out event Thursday night, where Microsoft and Bloomies invited #FNO-savvy fashionistas on Twitter to tag #MSBloomingdales to see their tags show up on the "Printing Dress" — a wearable computing concept (at left) that replaces pleats with tweets.

It's described as:

"a Microsoft Research project that explores the intersection of fashion and technology. This early prototype is an artistic installation that integrates computer components into a dress made almost entirely of paper. With an integrated projector, the dress showcases tweets in real time transforming the skirt into a real-time twitter display. The dress was presented and honored as “Best in Show” and “Best Concept” at the Design Exhibition at ISWC (International Symposium of Wearable Computers) in San Francisco 2011."

More details in the video below:Continue reading...

Vogue is promoting the fact that Fashion's Night Out is not just a New York event with a promo highlighting what's happening in London on FNO's Sept. 6th return. Milan will also be celebrating its fourth FNO — details below.Continue reading...

It was a brilliant idea, brilliantly marketed. Pegged to New York Fashion Week earlier this month, Target teamed up with upscale Italian designer Missoni to create an exclusive collection of clothing and housewares for the retailer.

Promoted in a novel way with a social media 'character' (a giant doll named Marina), the amount of hype and anticipation by fans crashed the store’s website when the line launched online on Sept. 13. And things haven’t gotten better since.Continue reading...

Now out of Beta, GoldRun's smartphone platform uses objects as ‘virtual breadcrumbs’ for scavenger hunts and branded campaigns with pots of social commerce gold at the end of the digital rainbow. It engages users real-time with an interactive experience that yields real world rewards.

It strutted its stuff at the recent Fashion's Night Out event in New York, partnering with Bloomingdale’s and NBC on “Look the Part, Be the Part,” the first co-braned cross-industry promotion to use augmented reality.

Running through Sept. 26, shoppers at Bloomingdale’s 44 stores nationwide can participate in a photo opp with virtual characters from NBC’s fall lineup by downloading the free app, and are eligible to win a trip to Los Angeles for an on-set visit or a grand prize trip to Chicago for a walk-on role in NBC's new series, The Playboy Club.

In addition to posing with bunnies from The Playboy Club, Bloomie’s reps with GoldRun- loaded iPads are on hand to snap photos for customers with virtual cast members from four other new NBC shows: Whitney (starring Whitney Cummings), Free Agents, Prime Suspect with Maria Bello, and Up All Night, featuring Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett.Continue reading...

Apple knock-off stores in Queens, NY, forced to surrender goods, while Apple's HTC patent victory gets US review.

NHL restricts players from social media on game days under new policy.

Borders starts shutting down in California.

Carrefour plans drive-in stores in France.

eBay targets hip mobile shoppers with new campaign.

Esprit pays the price for 'neglecting' its brand.Continue reading...

Vanity Fair's October issue cites Dockers' Alpha Khaki line as the 'it' pants for fall. Yes, Dockers.

Now GQ magazine, long known as the place to check out for men’s fashion news, has cozied up the Levi Strauss owned brand. GQ is spreading the word about its annual Menswear Awards by matching Dockers with its award winner and nominees for a limited edition “collectible” capsule collection.

Fibre2Fashion.com reports that Dockers has partnered with the publication’s Best New Menswear Designer Winner, Alexander Wang, along with five other designers to produce a limited-edition collection.Continue reading...

Alibaba takes on Baidu for dominance in China.

Android rises to #2 smartphone platform in Europe.

Apple ponders disposition of its cash horde.

California Pizza Kitchen plans brand revival.

Cochlear recalls line of ear implants.

Deutsche Bank launches Autobahn App Market.

Ford unveils new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine at Frankfurt auto show.

GameStop to sell branded gaming tablet.Continue reading...

Green Bay Packers defend title to win NFL kickoff game, while Bud Light kicks in as NFL sponsor, and Coors Light debuts new campaign.

President Obama presents $447 billion jobs stimulus plan to tough audience.

American Apparel search for plus-size models backfires.

Aquascutum among brands finding new life in China.

Bank of America could shed up to 40,000 jobs.

Facebook complaints can't get an employee fired, judge rules while site adds five languages.

John Galliano  found guilty in anti-racism case.

Glenn Beck launches web TV network.

Google details electricity usage.Continue reading...