Fashion world reacts to economic woes
The Rock & Republic show, left, and Vera Wang show, both at Bryant Park in September (Getty)
The fashion world is trying to ease the pain of the economic climate that has forced big-name designers including Betsey Johnson, Vera Wang and Rock & Republic to pull their New York fashion shows out of Bryant Park in February.
Steven Kolb, executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, said his organization is working to create a venue that would hold fashion presentations instead of traditional runway shows. He said he hopes to “pull it together” for February, and that it would be ideal to have the space at Bryant Park.
“The world is changing hour to hour, and we’d be foolish to think the fashion industry isn’t going to change along with it,” Kolb said.
He also said the economic downturn could be Darwinian in nature.
“Over the next year, you’ll see really creative talented people with a good business strive and weed out people who maybe shouldn’t be showing anyway,” he said.
Several designers said they are still showing at Bryant Park. A rep for Max Azria confirmed the designer will hold his three shows at the park’s Tents. Reps for Tibi and Rebecca Taylor said they’re also having their runway shows at the Tents. And Tommy Hilfiger is returning after three years of showing at another venue.
IMG released the following statement last week regarding designers dropping out of Fashion Week:
"We fully realize and expected that the economy would effect some designers ability to present a full-on runway show this season. However, we have requests from many other designers who have not shown in the tents in several seasons taking those time slots. As soon as the schedule is confirmed we will share all those names in early January. All indications point to a full house at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February. We are also still trying to identify and create a 4th venue for 'presentations' in or very close to Bryant Park."
