This was in the Washington Post today. Here’s an excerpt by Robin Givan, who reviewed this week’s shows.
“There’s rarely a good time to get into the fashion business. But as Seventh Avenue unveils its fall 2008 collections this week, these are particularly challenging times. The combined impediments of stiff competition, market saturation, a devalued dollar and a bleak economy mean not only that it’s difficult to entice shoppers into opening up their wallets, but that it’s also significantly harder for designers even to get their merchandise into stores. Retailers have become more discerning about what they will hang on their racks.
They are looking to be moved, to be excited. Luxury continues to sell. Uniqueness is an advantage. But ultimately, when the economy turns sour, “emotion”—that wholly illogical, inexplicable motivator—makes the sale.
“It’s got to be emotion,” says Saks Fifth Avenue’s Michael Fink, who oversees the specialty store’s women’s collections. “A lot of that luxury product leaves me cold. It’s not ‘anti-style.’ That’s not the right word, but it becomes eternally classic and that appeals to a very small percentage of the population.”
I think it pretty much sums up how things are right now.
