Comments on: Friday Column | Credit Crunch Fashion http://www.businessoffashion.com/2009/03/friday-column-credit-crunch-fashion.html The Business of Fashion is an essential daily resource for fashion creatives, business professionals and entrepreneurs in more than 200 countries around the world. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:49:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dahlia http://www.businessoffashion.com/2009/03/friday-column-credit-crunch-fashion.html#comment-5388 Dahlia Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:54:19 +0000 http://www.businessoffashion.net/?p=2666#comment-5388 Wasn't runaway always cut off from reality anyway? This is what I don't particularly understand. I read an article in the WSJ that said that only 20-30% of what's on the runway actually ends up on the retail floor, and that showroom collections are much more realistic than runway. So what exactly is the problem on the runway? Why are designers "scaling back" on the runway, when what's really selling is the showroom? Nothing really changes backstage, or do they? If so, can someone enlighten me? I know we won't be seeing Alexander McQueen's ballooned silhouettes on the retail floor this fall but a more sensible (and wearable) collection. So, the problem isn't really about designing wearable fashion (it's always been wearable on the retail floor), it's all financial. Since everyone's on a smaller budget to spend, I think price and quality will take on a much more significant role for buyers and shoppers. If a buyer isn't impressed with a runway show, designers certainly would start off at a disadvantage in trying to sell off their showroom collection afterwards. At least those are my impressions. Wasn’t runaway always cut off from reality anyway? This is what I don’t particularly understand. I read an article in the WSJ that said that only 20-30% of what’s on the runway actually ends up on the retail floor, and that showroom collections are much more realistic than runway.

So what exactly is the problem on the runway? Why are designers “scaling back” on the runway, when what’s really selling is the showroom?

Nothing really changes backstage, or do they? If so, can someone enlighten me? I know we won’t be seeing Alexander McQueen’s ballooned silhouettes on the retail floor this fall but a more sensible (and wearable) collection. So, the problem isn’t really about designing wearable fashion (it’s always been wearable on the retail floor), it’s all financial. Since everyone’s on a smaller budget to spend, I think price and quality will take on a much more significant role for buyers and shoppers. If a buyer isn’t impressed with a runway show, designers certainly would start off at a disadvantage in trying to sell off their showroom collection afterwards. At least those are my impressions.

]]> By: me http://www.businessoffashion.com/2009/03/friday-column-credit-crunch-fashion.html#comment-5329 me Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:32:23 +0000 http://www.businessoffashion.net/?p=2666#comment-5329 Yeah exactly, buyers are looking for flexible, multi-changeable clothing that can be appropriate for certain circumstances during the day (or for work) & then become an outfit suiting a different purpose for occasions in the evening. That's the ultimate garment that people & buyers crave alike, that's also eloquent yet durable. Then you look to more exotic fashions to finalise your budget & add some drama to your roster; such as some Pilotto print or some Braganza brash...i call it being 'cookie'. Yeah exactly, buyers are looking for flexible, multi-changeable clothing that can be appropriate for certain circumstances during the day (or for work) & then become an outfit suiting a different purpose for occasions in the evening. That’s the ultimate garment that people & buyers crave alike, that’s also eloquent yet durable. Then you look to more exotic fashions to finalise your budget & add some drama to your roster; such as some Pilotto print or some Braganza brash…i call it being ‘cookie’.

]]> By: editor http://www.businessoffashion.com/2009/03/friday-column-credit-crunch-fashion.html#comment-5319 editor Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:23:03 +0000 http://www.businessoffashion.net/?p=2666#comment-5319 i don't agree about wanting a weightless whispering dress. that smacks of flimsy and superficial. "go out and have fun"? i think there is a bit of work that has to be done first. i think it's premature to crave escapist fashion. i want clothing that i can live in, work in. i want clothing that supports my day while enchanting me at the same time, so that i can also dream. what i crave, what is worth my money, is authentic design, design with integrity, made of superb quality and with details, even tiny secret details, that will improve my day, my experience, just by knowing that they're there. i don’t agree about wanting a weightless whispering dress. that smacks of flimsy and superficial. “go out and have fun”? i think there is a bit of work that has to be done first. i think it’s premature to crave escapist fashion.
i want clothing that i can live in, work in. i want clothing that supports my day while enchanting me at the same time, so that i can also dream.
what i crave, what is worth my money, is authentic design, design with integrity, made of superb quality and with details, even tiny secret details, that will improve my day, my experience, just by knowing that they’re there.

]]> By: me http://www.businessoffashion.com/2009/03/friday-column-credit-crunch-fashion.html#comment-5291 me Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:29:44 +0000 http://www.businessoffashion.net/?p=2666#comment-5291 I don't need ricks leathers (they're like a months rent!), however i do need his sneaker boots...(also a months rent!). But yea, i agree & disagree with this article...I don't think the collections were at all unappealing in Paris, in fact there seemed to be a bit of a buzz around the place (especially the showrooms & added London spice). None of the designers held back or restricted their philosophy to tie in with 'current financial dilemma's' (which has been sensationalized anyway) to correspond to a 'fixated buyer perspective' (whatever that is with such a multitude of stores represented). This is a typical editor talking absolute crap to sell a story to whoever wants to jump on her band-wagon...'i'd wear that' is the ultimate compliment Lauren, it's where buyers, buy & clientele spend. Of course, that wouldn't make a very good story though...I agree because I also wouldn't buy most of it & neither would the shoppers, which is why the buyers neglect most collections. In fact, the industry is so far saturated at present it's a miracle how these designers continue each season. However, highlighting US retailers?????? who cares what they think? they make up a fraction of european sales seasons. Leave them to bask in everything that is mundane, being NYC. I don’t need ricks leathers (they’re like a months rent!), however i do need his sneaker boots…(also a months rent!). But yea, i agree & disagree with this article…I don’t think the collections were at all unappealing in Paris, in fact there seemed to be a bit of a buzz around the place (especially the showrooms & added London spice). None of the designers held back or restricted their philosophy to tie in with ‘current financial dilemma’s’ (which has been sensationalized anyway) to correspond to a ‘fixated buyer perspective’ (whatever that is with such a multitude of stores represented). This is a typical editor talking absolute crap to sell a story to whoever wants to jump on her band-wagon…’i'd wear that’ is the ultimate compliment Lauren, it’s where buyers, buy & clientele spend. Of course, that wouldn’t make a very good story though…I agree because I also wouldn’t buy most of it & neither would the shoppers, which is why the buyers neglect most collections. In fact, the industry is so far saturated at present it’s a miracle how these designers continue each season. However, highlighting US retailers?????? who cares what they think? they make up a fraction of european sales seasons. Leave them to bask in everything that is mundane, being NYC.

]]>