By now I hope that it is apparent to all of my loyal friends and supporters that I will not be doing a fashion show during New York Celebrity Week. Oooops – I meant to say New York Fashion Week...
Of course that Freudian slip wasn’t a slip at all, but a realization of what New York Fashion Week has truly become.
Fortunately, I am old enough to remember when this was not the case at all. Now, as many of you know, I am not one for nostalgia, but there are certain fundamentals within the fashion industry that I believe we should never forget – namely “the fashion”. And unfortunately, during New York Fashion Week, this is exactly what has happened – the fashion has been completely forgotten.
(Very rarely did anyone know or care what celebrity was sitting front row at Helmut Lang)
There used to be a time when editors and fashionistas alike would wait for weeks with bated breath wondering what a Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta, or Helmut Lang would be sending down the catwalk. Or better yet, there would always be an anticipation to see who would be the new “enfant terrible” or “wunderkind” entering the fashion fray. That anticipation has completely disappeared and been replaced by a fevered frenzy of nothingness and wasted flashbulbs.
Funny enough, I don’t blame the celebrities at all. For them Fashion Week is just another outlet for the expansion of their brand which includes running psuedo design houses. As professional designers, we have all been betrayed by our own industry. There are even certain editors and/or buyers (with few exceptions i.e. Cathy Horyn, Robin Gihvan and Suzy Menkes) that are more excited about what hot celebrity they will be seated next to during a high-profile show than anything interesting or amazing coming down the runway. There was a time when editors would be up in arms by celebrity attendance if not only for fear up being bumped back to the second or third row. Now they gladly accept that this is a risk they take whilst secretly sneering at the back of the head of some pubescent pop-tart perched in their assigned front row seat. The front row seat and/or vantage point which has always been reserved for editors and buyers in order for them to effectively do their JOB!!!
It is rumored that this front row appearance by Britney Spears cost Baby Phat approximately US$50,000. Perhaps if they can break Brit out of the psych ward in time they can get her this season for a Starbucks Grande Mocha Frappucino and two Xanax. I know that was mean, but I just couldn't resist...
As a fashion designer that is just getting his label/brand off of the ground, I have in the past been forced to resort to all sorts of tricks and stunts to secure at least a portion of the ink resulting from Fashion Week's coverage. Thank God for the independent press and bloggers whom have single-handedly breathed life into, created interest and gained traction for the Mal Sirrah collection and brand.
Google "Mal Sirrah" - you'll see - the bloggers love me and I love them more!!!
Fortunately, as the founder of Designers for Darfur as well as other humanitarian/charitable efforts, I can no longer run the risk of depreciating my name and/or brand via childish antics, feuds or headline grabbing stunts. I will leave that to the guys and gals that still want to have the likes of Britney, Paris and Lindsay as their front row decoration and/or muses.
Therefore, Mal Sirrah, Inc. will use this fashion week to take a small personal step back in order to make a strategic leap forward next season. As a track star and athlete in my youth this approach is not foreign to me at all. However, as an artist and creative, I will admit that this loss of artistic expression is bitter sweet. I will truly miss one of the oldest traditional forums allotted to American designers to showcase their talents to the world. Therefore, as this forum no longer rings true to me and in order to further my commitment to live in my own truth, at this point in time, I just can’t pretend that the façade of New York Fashion Week is something that truly interests me. However, in true Malcolm Harris / Mal Sirrah style – I will find a more modern and truthful way to bring the world my vision and message of “Changing the World – One Dress at a Time”…
SNEAK PEAK OF UPCOMING PROJECT:
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9 comments:
Mal,
As an aspiring designer, your blog fills me with wisdom and truth. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Fashion week is already here? It seems like only yesterday I just saw your Spring collection.
How do you even have time to create your Fall collection??
Anyway, I had no idea the spectacle of NY Fashion Week has become this. But it is true that celebrities are all the rage right now and I can understand the frustration editors might have of being bumped back because of them. But I guess celebrities contribute to the popularity of a brand more than having an actual impact on sales.
Thanks for sharing and taking a different approach, last season's collection was definitely a more intimate view. I'm looking forward to your new collection!
i love you mr. harris for always getting it so right. fashion week is a farce. i just wish everyone else would start being honest.
Bravo. As a New Yorkers, we let out a collective sigh when it was announced that Paris Hilton had landed for Fashion Week.
i just had the start of a potential paradigm shift...
thanks for that.
Malcolm,
Was wondering where you were!
I must agree with you, Fashion Week is now seeming to me little more than a circus (though my readers love the celeb aspect). I'm dipping out for a bit to indulge in off site shows--the lines, pushing, and crowding is bordering on ridiculous!
I have not read one interesting thing about fashion week other than the celebrities. Even the fashion outlets are reporting more about the celebrities than the runways. Sad.
Yeah I know what you mean about how its not really about the fashion. I did a show last month & someone recommended I use a certain model, not because she was the best for the job but because her ex husband was dating a well known celebrity. She thought it was good publicity for me...I can't tell you how insulted I was.
Anyway, I appreciate your insight on this crazy industry that I love.
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