Stores that sell ridiculously priced merchandise in New York City have just about had it with this recession thing. They need to make some money! So they came up with Thursday night's Fashion's Night Out, where shoppers were allowed to rub elbows with celebrities

Amateur photographers jockeyed with paparazzi to get pictures of Victoria Beckham and stood on banquettes to get a glimpse of "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi. The hope was that the stargazing event, a brainchild of Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, would help at the cash register.

Security had to close off Bergdorf Goodman's seventh floor, where Lakshmi judged a cook-off between designers including Cynthia Rowley �� who made tipsy tomatoes, described as "upscale Jello shots" �� and Peter Som, who made panko-fried oysters. The winner: Lela Rose, the crowd favorite for her corn crepe topped with lobster and cilantro salsa.

The Olsen twins served cocktails and Beckham posed for pictures.

It was difficult to judge the impact of the event �� held at stores all over the city. Justin Timberlake was making an appearance at Saks, Charlize Theron at Dior, Kate Hudson at Stella McCartney. Wintour herself made an appearance at a Macy's in Queens.