London Fashion Week is set to kick off on Monday, though following last week’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC, no one is expecting much in the way of glitz and glam. Many designers will stick to the schedule, though Sir Paul Smith has called off his runway show, and the British Fashion Council has postponed indefinitely its end of the season bash opting instead to donate the party’s budget to the American Red Cross.
“It is important to stand firm and continue,” says Vogue fashion editor Anna Cryer. “But unquestionably the mood will be low-key and quiet.”
New York Fashion Week, already underway when the terrorist attacks in Manhattan claimed the lives of thousands, had been put on hold and is now set to resume in late October. However, fashion executives in London decided to go ahead with their own events as planned.
“It would be pointless to lie down and give in,” says British Fashion Council member Simon Ward. “It would also be unfair for us not to provide the business platform for designers.”
However, some are finding it difficult to carry on in the wake of the tragedy. “Fashion is a business and they say we must go on but it is hard,” says the publicist for British designer Ben de Lisi, Debbie Lovejoy. “It is going to be very flat.”
Sir Paul Smith has decided to cancel his show entirely despite the overall plan to move forward. Smith was to debut his women’s collection on Tuesday morning but later opted out, saying he “does not feel it is appropriate to show his collection within the format of a fashion show so soon after these tragic events and whilst there is so much uncertainty in the aftermath.” Those wishing to see the collection may make private appointments.
Designers including Nicole Farhi, Burberry, Justin Oh and Maria Grachvogel have all followed suit, and others may join them reports the chief executive of the British Fashion Council, John Wilson. “A lot of other designers will do the same thing as Paul,” says John. “It’s a sensible option to follow if a designer has the space to do it… London Fashion Week is a lot different than it was a week ago, but the world must try and continue and we must support the industry and business by carrying on.”
Fashion players Tristian Webber, Arkadius and John Rocha have confirmed their shows will run as scheduled. However, many models and buyers in New York must now contend with crossing the Atlantic and insiders predict attendance will be down.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
