Shop Talk
Retailers, consumers and prices
Asian clients help Jill Stuart stave off weak economy
Her popularity in Asia has helped designer Jill Stuart side-step some of the economic troubles plaguing her competitors, the designer told Reuters backstage after her Fashion Week show.
In fact, there was a separate guest list for Japanese media attending her runway show at New York’s Public Library on Monday.
Jill Stuart’s collection featured big shoulders, boots, tight leggings, cut-out details and very short dresses, a look she said was inspired by singer Cher.
from Fan Fare:
NY Fashion Week models feel economic chill
Models at New York Fashion Week are facing an even more competitive environment as many designers continue to down-size and opt for cheaper presentations over runway shows, said Marques Nolan, an agent for Code Model Management.
Model Emily Fox, backstage before the Academy of Arts runway show, said designers are holding less castings making it even more competitive than usual to get modeling work. It has also become more common for models to be paid in clothes rather than money, she said.
How to survive a recession: tips from young designers
At New York’s semi-annual fashion week, Nicholas Kunz, who designs the Nicholas K line with her brother Christopher, gave some tips on how to weather a tough market:
Another designer at Fashion Week, Thuy Diep, who designs the line Thuy, said her company has trimmed their overhead by buying fabrics in New York this year instead of making the trip to Paris. She has also made it a point to make fewer rough drafts of her designs in order to save money. And even smaller details have not been overlooked for cost-cutting potential– Thuy said she is taking the subway instead of cabs, for example.
McQueen of the night
Sales are down, profits are off, but that didn’t stop discount retailer Target from throwing a big bash in Manhattan 
on Friday night to celebrate the launch of its latest designer collaboration – McQ by Alexander McQueen.
Timed to coordinate with Fashion Week and draw fashionistas in town for the shows, the bash took place in a huge downtown warehouse.
Check Out Line: Technology getting front-row seat at NY Fashion Week
Check out how designers at New York’s Fashion Week are using technology for inspiration, on the runway, behind the scenes and for business.
In its most obvious cameo, technology showed up at Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2009 show on Tuesday, where models sashayed down the runway clutching slim, red HP notebook computers instead of evening bags.
A new type of bodega coming to Manhattan
Fashionistas in town for New York’s Fashion Week this September will have a new type of bodega to duck into during their time in the city — a fashion bodega.
Manhattan is flush with corner stores or bodegas that are all too eager to meet the city dweller’s desire for a convenient place to grab a gallon of milk, a stick of gum or a pack of cigarettes.
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