Those predictions about what the economy will do to Fashion Week in February are growing truer by the minute. The latest cutbacks come from Betsey Johnson and Carmen Marc Valvo, who have decided not to put on shows in the Bryant Park tents. Johnson has shown in the tents for the past five seasons, while Valvo has shown there for the past ten years. Johnson wouldn’t comment on the reason for the cancellation, but Valvo’s camp admitted that they wanted to find a cheaper way to present the fall 2009 collection, as their typical show runs $150,000 to $200,000.
Johnson will still stage either a presentation or a show for her fall line but hasn’t settled on a location. Valvo is considering showing his collection at an intimate cocktail party for about 200, which would enable the house to cut costs by 50 percent. A spokesperson for the house points out that attendees would get a better look at the clothes than if presented on a runway.
With DKNY having decided to stage a presentation instead of a runway show for fall 2009, and designers like Vera Wang and J. Mendel considering such a format, more announcements like this could be on the way. Our feet can easily handle running to a few less shows, but we just hope the alcohol sponsors don’t skimp. We’ve all got to make it through this somehow.
Betsey Johnson’s February No-Show at New York’s Fashion Week Tent [Heard on the Runway/WSJ]
Carmen Marc Valvo Cuts His February Fashion Show [Heard on the Runway/WSJ]
Related: Economy to Sap the Fabulous From February Fashion Week
