Is the fashion industry facing the ugly reality of a recession?

Looks like the fashion industry just woke up and smelled the nonfat, triple soy latte. The WGSN fashion press bulletin reports that Calvin Klein will show its men's fall/winter show in New York instead of Milan. (This is the first time in a decade.)

"I am very excited to show the Men's Collection in New York. I think this is a very exciting time for menswear here, as there are a lot of new and interesting young designers working in New York now," added Italo Zucchelli, creative director of the men's Calvin Klein Collection.

No doubt, Zucchelli is also very excited that he won't have to listen to his bosses bemoan the weak-as-diner-coffee dollar and frown at every freaking euro spent. Not to mention the cost of a full-blown fashion party in Milan because Calvin Klein -- the company, not the man -- turns 40 next year too. You may recall that Valentino celebrated its 45th with a weekend of Champagne-soaked bashes in Rome and a dinner for 900 at the Temple of Venus in front of the Colosseum. Gucci recently toasted 70 with lavish parties and suppers in Rome too. Yes, I know that both companies are Italian and would host soirees in their hometown, but Calvin Klein would have to throw some sort of bash in Italy after its show. And that is not a Prosecco crowd, people.

Right now, Betsey Johnson is celebrating her 30th with parties at malls across the country (parties that she is not attending). At this point, there's no word on the plans for the big 4-0 for Calvin Klein. Hopefully, there will be cupcakes.

Photo: Getty Images

Comments

[kat]

I think that many people, including myself, are suddenly waking up and realizing we've been had by the designer fashion industry. We got caught up in a fad but we're better now. Prada, to me, is code for . . SUCKER! Designer to me now is E-bay and Yves and Louis pocketbooks with plastic around the handles. Designer used to have a mystic. Not anymore.

My hat is off to the designer fashion industry though. If you can make a sh*t load of money off of idiots, like me, who you have convinced need your overpriced product then I hope you laugh all the way to the bank. I was taken in - for about five minutes - as were a lot of other wannabes. We thought that overpriced, questionable quality Italian designer clothes made in China, somehow made us bona fide. But alas, the circus is leaving town and the clowns are crying. You had your fun fellas but I hope you saved your money.

I really don't think there are enough stupid celebrities, trophy wives and heiresses to keep Prada, and the like, in business after all we fools quit buying their overpriced crap. I can't speak for the other fools but the designer exploitation of the masses has left a very sour taste in my mouth. Not because I got caught up in a silly fad but because they passed off sub-par products using their (formerly richly deserved) cache for quality, to sucker us.

To Ralph and Calvin and, hopefully, Mui Mui, I say. . .

buh by.

[alison]

it's mind-boggling how the poor economy has poisoned every sector of the US economy. the weak dollar is hurting us tremendously, and the paranoia created in the media is not making matters better (that's all you hear about on the evening news...quite depressing).

looking forward to better times.

[Kat]

Alison, you don't need to worry. Look around honey. You can go to a grocery story and find all the fresh fruit, meat vegatables and any sort of food any person could ever want or need. We drive cars that are the equivelant of a years salary in most of the world. We have a great life in this country. Most people don't realize it and they get swept up by propeganda in the media. Even when our economy is "bad" it's better than 90% of the world's.

The housing crisis is not a cirisis, it's a correction. The weak dollar means tourism is at an all time high and people can't buy enough of American sold products (Neimans has limits on how many Prada bags you can buy because of it). I've been to the middle east. You don't know what real economic suffering is.

So stop worrying! Besides, when Obama is elected it's going to turn around just because of perception if nothing else. A downturn in the silly designer market is nothing. That too is a correction. Put things in perspective girl!