Fashion Week: Fall/Winter 2009

February 4, 2009 – The Fall/Winter 2009 ready-to-wear collections will be presented in the upcoming weeks, but with the recession on everyone’s minds (and wallets), some designers have decided to pull out. Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson, Carmen Marc Valvo, and Monique Lhuillier, among others, have decided to show elsewhere during New York Fashion Week.

What kind of cost saving does presenting “elsewhere” bring to these designers? Thousands – the largest tent in Bryant Park costs approximately $50,000 to rent. Let’s not forget about top models who can command thousand-dollar booking rates. Then there’s hair & make-up, well…you get the idea.

In related news IMG, the backers and organizers of New York Fashion Week, pulled their five-year relationship with Los Angeles Fashion Week. Designers there are coming together to present their offerings in a more independent forum.

Economic troubles aside, there will still be several creative talents participating this season. Luxury goods companies, whose clients are comparatively not price sensitive, can afford to dish out the $100,000 + budgets to put on a show… and we’ll be watching.

New York Fashion Week: February 13-20
Montreal Fashion Week: March 2-5
Los Angeles Fashion Week: March 13-20
Toronto Fashion Week: March 16-21