Peter Som. Sass and Bide. Vera Wang. Betsey Johnson. Carmen Marc Valvo. DKNY. What do all of these labels have in common? Well, they won’t be showing their collections on the runways of Bryant Park, that’s for sure. The economy has certainly taken a toll on the fashion industry and sadly enough, it has pilfered designers abilities to show off, publicize and get some well deserved recognition. But before designers decide to shrink their collections, minimize their advertising and slap sale signs in their windows, they pull the plug on showing during fashion week. That being said, are runway shows a thing of the past? If designers can survive the recession, sans the runway show, does that mean that fashion week is really the extra credit that doesn’t count on designers homework? The recession has changed many a mindset, but it is frighteningly possible that it can make designers realize they can succeed without dropping major dough on a show.
On the flip side, the idea of a runway show can be viewed as 2009’s It-bag, only the rich and glamorous can afford it and bystanders look on in amazement. Who knows, maybe this recession is simply the fashion industry’s version of spring cleaning, making runway shows only for the invested, focused, and prepared designers. Oscar de la Renta’s double runway delight is a prime example of this notion.
Either the runways become “so last year,” sending hundreds of bean-pole models home packing or they get put on a pedestal, an honor to have your collection even grace one. Oh runways, you are a scary toss up.
Dior, Not War.
