Recession is Killing Beautiful Fashions

Qué horrible! Crain's New York is reporting that many designers may not participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park this February. "Buffeted by the heavy costs associated with a runway show and slowing apparel sales, New York designers are struggling to find the best way to present their fall collections come February. Several big-name clothiers, including Betsey Johnson, have pulled out of plans to show their lines at Bryant Park. Some smaller fashion houses are also considering stepping outside of the coveted tents." Enough already, recession. To paraphrase a Real Housewife of Atlanta, "How are you gonna have a fashion show with no fashions?" Well, so far the clothes are safe, but the designers are going back to their thrifty roots; instead of spending hundreds of thousands on a big production, they'll scale it down for a more DIY showing (one mentions using mannequins over models). Crain's also notes that attendance at Fashion Week will be down since many buyers for department stores don't have the money to travel, or buy!