The Bryant Park Tents in downtown New York city were alive with enterprise as the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week kicked off again, just three weeks ago. More than 100 designers gathered from over 50 countries to make fashion history.
An eight-day fashion scramble of well known and virtually anonymous, models and designers paraded beneath the tent peaks in Bryant Park, presenting innovative visions for an autumn to come with brilliant runway shows and beautiful multi-media presentations.
Often people ask why fashion is taken so seriously. I ask, why is football taken so seriously? For those who dedicate themselves as stylists’ to the garment industry, the week in New York city is the Super Bowl of fashion. And in case you didn’t know, this worldwide market waits for New York as a kind of trigger to determine where fashion will be going in any particular season.
On Feb. 4 during an interview on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “Project Runway’s” style guru Tim Gunn summed up fashion quintessentially. He said nobody really needs fashion. Clothes-yes. But when fashion is good, it stems from conditions that are societal and cultural, economic and political; it comes from a time and a place in history.
With national debt and the energy crisis as such prevalent issues, how could such hoighty-toightyness continue?
Designers have not forgotten about these issues, nor do they think fashion is more important. They choose to endorse programs and campaigns through shows and clothing. Many supporting the international impact of the fashion trade are hoping to break through the newer, emerging markets China, India and Russia.
In response to e-mail surveys, several designers said their best defense amidst our country’s economic concerns was to focus on creating high-quality, luxurious garments. I believe this fashion community is an excellent resource for donations, considering dropping $500 on a pair Jimmy Choos or $2000 on a Balenciaga bag is normal to these people.
A special show given by Earth Pledge and Barneys retailer, drew attention to healthy hearts in women by recruiting 28 world renowned designers to create eco-friendly outfits encouraging sustainable design. One show had celebrities such as Ashanti, Heidi Klum and Molly Sims dancing down the runway wearing red gowns in support of the fifth annual Heart Truth Red Dress Collection, raising awareness for heart disease prevention campaigns.
If you’ve never heard of Rachel Roy and consider yourself a fashionista, please Google her immediately. Ms. Roy has been my favorite new designer since I saw her on Oprah last fall. Classy trench-coats that double as dresses are long awaited ladies. How about her sleeveless frocks? Cute as a cupcake and perfect for traveling; the more it wrinkles, the better it looks. Rachel Roy is a exemplary example of fashion artistry, conceptually binding fierceness with the likeness of a true lady.
