Ladies and Gentlemen, It's Time for the 2012 Racked Awards

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Everyone: Stop what you're doing and imagine a drum roll. Now picture a stage, and a host in a sequined tuxedo jacket, and the entire staff of E! on the red carpet outside. Got it? Good. Because we're about to introduce the second annual Racked Awards, and an occasion like this requires a little fanfare.

On Thursday, October 11th, we'll be celebrating the best and the brightest in fashion and retail, from the sexiest new shoe stores to coolest e-commerce sites—basically, everything that's made it fun to get dressed in the morning over the past 12 months. But before the festivities begin, we're going to need your help. Over the following week, we'll be asking readers to vote in categories including but not limited to Best New Store, Best Menswear Store, and Coolest Store Sidekick.

Keep an eye out for our polls, and get ready to lobby for your favorites in the comments. The winners—alongside other deserving notables selected by Racked editors across the country—will be feted on Racked and at a gala special event in New York City, where they will be honored with the coveted Golden Turban award. (Why a turban? So many reasons.)