Internet Killed the Runway Star?

The realization that runway shows are a luxury of the past has started to settle in for most fashion houses and it has become evident in the past few years. Unfortunately, the exuberant glamour and limitless bounds of luxury fashion does not hold up when economic times are tough.

Since the Great Recession of '08 it has become increasingly popular to nix grand productions in favor of more low cost runway viewings. These online viewings are shown online to members of press, industry members, and sometimes the general public. Some fashion houses are even going as far as to cancelling runway shows all together, however instead they extend the hours for their show rooms to enable editors and buyers to have ample time for viewings, or they put on private showings for editors and buyers (only costing around $10,000). I can't exactly blame them seeing as for some high end designers the costs can run up to a whopping $1,000,000! Overall, making this cost effective decision will still allow for advantageous viewings of the products.   

Filming for online runway viewings

Although, I do understand how it may seem lackluster, I am currently a fan of online viewings. As a devotee to all things fashion related it's a great way to keep up with the latest designs (fashion operates six months ahead of schedule; currently the 2013 fall collections are showing). Having been lucky enough to attend and walk in few runway shows in my life, I can say that there are few things that are more exciting than the rush of a live fashion show. The whole experience and environment that fashion houses produce for their runway shows, and actually seeing the garments walk down the runway is a big difference than viewing the garments on the hanger - hanger appeal vs. runway appeal. In most recent years, numerous design houses such as Prada and Burberry, have opted to go with online viewings, and I predict that we aren't going to see this trend slow down. 

This especially proves beneficial for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (a.k.a New York Fashion Week.) This is because unlike any other fashion shows, where only a number of designers are invited to show in fashion week, NYFW operates through registration lists. The show is not limited to only showing high-end labels, but also enables numerous labels to participate, which also means competing for the same models, space, time. This is a recipe for an intense jumble, and most designers are probably not seeing a return on their investments. (There have been other scheduling problems - for example Milan and Paris fashion weeks were overlapping in 2010 and created quite a chaotic situation for industry professionals) 

As of recently, public relations and production power house KCD International opened up their own live show streaming platform to the general public. Originally the company started hosting this a year ago, at which point it was only available to buyers and members of the press. However due to an enormous demand for the service they have officially opened the doors to the general public. I have admired KCD for a long time now and I commend them for elevating new standard for sharing fashion; they truly exemplify committed industry leaders. 

This is KCD's homepage where you can learn more about them after the click! 

I just signed up for my account the other day, and I love it, so you should too! Just click the image below and it will take you to Digital Fashion Shows! 

Here are there show times for the currently listed shows:

Alexander Plokhov: Saturday, February 9th beginning at 10am EST

Peter Som: Wednesday, February 13th beginning at 9am EST

Pierre Balmain: Friday, February 8th beginning at 9am EST

They plan on adding more shows soon, so keep checking!

www.liverunway.com is another great online streaming tool - they have already  established a vast following.

Even youtube have formed live streaming partnerships! Also they have their own fashion devoted channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/fashiontv.

 

These are two links that rundown the fashion week schedules:

GAYOT & FASHIONS

Who will be tuning into the fall season with me? 

Which shows are you most excited to see? 
Happy watching! 

Until next time,

Kelly