The Make or Break Season

This article was posted on the New York Times website on February 5, 2009.  The focus of this article is the impact of the recession on New York fashion week.  Usually, fashion week is a haven for fresh, new designers, but this year seems to be a bit different.  While a quarter of the 200 labels being shown next week are less than 5 years old, the age of the young designer may be coming to an end.  The article states that stores are ordering 20 percent less for fall 2009, and that this take a major toll on many young designers without financial backing.  Also, a number of designers with financial backing are losing support from investors, and facing uncertain futures.  The article talks about Buckler, a young design company that is really starting to feel the brunt of the recession.  Andrew Buckler, the designer, says that stores are paying for clothes much later than usual, and some stores have even gone out of business without paying for clothes that were ordered.  Because of this, he has had to lay off a third of his staff.  Many young designers, such as Buckler, are having to resort to showing their collections in other ways since they cannot afford the estimated $100,000 needed to show at fashion week.  

This article is very eye opening to me.  I am a design student, and although I have no future plans of starting my own line, I would like to work for a small design company.  It seems a little bit scary to me that so many of the young designers that I love so much may not be around by the time I graduate.  I just have to keep hoping that by the time I graduate in 2010, the economy will be in a much better state than it is now, and I will be able to work for that perfect young design company.