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London makes a bold fashion statement in face of recession
Source: Agencies |
September 21, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LONDON Fashion Week is emerging from the shadow of a recession that has hung over the industry the last few seasons, with confident designers presenting bold creations to put the city on a par with other catwalk capitals.
London has produced some of fashion's biggest names, such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, and its designers are regarded as among the world's most avant garde.
However it has struggled to maintain a profile on a par with Milan, Paris or New York. This season designers have sought to win over recession-weary shoppers, showing London can have as much clout as the other three cities.
"I think London is on an all-time high," designer Julien Macdonald said after his spring/summer 2011 show. "We're there, we're successful, we're making a living for ourselves. We have all the young designers and they're amazing."
Britain has some of the best fashion colleges, designers and retailers in the world and events like London Fashion Week as well as a retail environment with highly desirable shopping hubs help to attract tourists.
The direct value of the fashion industry to the British economy is nearly 21 billion pounds (US$32.77 billion), out of an economy worth just over a trillion pounds.
Without the backing of big design houses many new talents have decamped elsewhere to nurture their careers. But the return of some brands to London's catwalks from abroad is a boost.
"I love that Burberry are here again. I really feel like (London is) the epicenter of fashion in terms of the fashion that we aspire to and the clothes that we like wearing," said actress Sienna Miller.
Miller said she and sister Savannah, who are behind the Twenty8Twelve brand, were sharing their showspace with other designers. "That feels really collaborative and great."
Champagne and canapes at shows have become rare at a time of belt-tightening, but several designers here served up goodies.
At Twenty8Twelve where the Miller sisters presented short dresses with petticoats and sleek shorts, guests were treated to breakfast and those in the front row received a goody bag. Macdonald hosted his show in London's historic Banqueting House, where waiters served pink cocktails, decorated with rose petals.
There has been also no shortage of front row celebrities with names like Jude Law, Pamela Anderson and Elle Macpherson.
The luxury goods industry, whose revenues fell 8 percent last year according to US consultants Bain & Co, is climbing out of its worst downturn in decades, buoyed by travelling shoppers from emerging markets.
London has produced some of fashion's biggest names, such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, and its designers are regarded as among the world's most avant garde.
However it has struggled to maintain a profile on a par with Milan, Paris or New York. This season designers have sought to win over recession-weary shoppers, showing London can have as much clout as the other three cities.
"I think London is on an all-time high," designer Julien Macdonald said after his spring/summer 2011 show. "We're there, we're successful, we're making a living for ourselves. We have all the young designers and they're amazing."
Britain has some of the best fashion colleges, designers and retailers in the world and events like London Fashion Week as well as a retail environment with highly desirable shopping hubs help to attract tourists.
The direct value of the fashion industry to the British economy is nearly 21 billion pounds (US$32.77 billion), out of an economy worth just over a trillion pounds.
Without the backing of big design houses many new talents have decamped elsewhere to nurture their careers. But the return of some brands to London's catwalks from abroad is a boost.
"I love that Burberry are here again. I really feel like (London is) the epicenter of fashion in terms of the fashion that we aspire to and the clothes that we like wearing," said actress Sienna Miller.
Miller said she and sister Savannah, who are behind the Twenty8Twelve brand, were sharing their showspace with other designers. "That feels really collaborative and great."
Champagne and canapes at shows have become rare at a time of belt-tightening, but several designers here served up goodies.
At Twenty8Twelve where the Miller sisters presented short dresses with petticoats and sleek shorts, guests were treated to breakfast and those in the front row received a goody bag. Macdonald hosted his show in London's historic Banqueting House, where waiters served pink cocktails, decorated with rose petals.
There has been also no shortage of front row celebrities with names like Jude Law, Pamela Anderson and Elle Macpherson.
The luxury goods industry, whose revenues fell 8 percent last year according to US consultants Bain & Co, is climbing out of its worst downturn in decades, buoyed by travelling shoppers from emerging markets.
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