I ended my year with two interviews for full-time jobs. I'm a little superstitious, so I cant reveal the who, what and where. Does this mean my freelance life is about to make the transition to a daily alarm, subway commutes and a cubicle? I suppose I have to get while the gettin is good...so they say.
Given this year's Great Fashion Crash, I feel grateful that there are fashion industry opportunities for me. Though, talk to me about two months in to getting my ass up and sitting in an office for twelve hours a day and I might be forgetting about my good fortunes! I digress.
Retailers struggled this year. Many stores closed their doors or reduced the amount of stores. Luxury companies temporarily or permanently laid off workers, including Cartier, Chanel, and Prada. From the couture house of Christian Lacroix to the woodsy Eddie Bauer, bankruptcies popped up like overdraft fees in my sad bank account.
Some of our favorite lines took their last strut down the runway. Some called in the consultants and sold to corporations, some liquidated. Cue that cheesy early 90's Boyz To Men song....It's soooooo hard to say goooood bye....
Photo: Style.com
"Harry Potter" star Emma Watson showed up in vintage Ossie Clark for the movie's London premier. Though the brand just relaunched this year, it cited the market conditions for shutting down the line once again.
Photo: nymag.com/Imaxtree
Known for her splashy and kitchy prints, the UK designer told the Independent UK her line was "forced out of business after one of its main suppliers closed."
Photo: Style.com
The namesake label of the Japanese designer filed for bankruptcy protection in October of 2009. Yoji Yamamoto was rescued by Intergral Corp, a private equity fund, who will oversee the company's restructuring. Yamamoto will retain a minority stake. The sliced leggings will live on, otherwise Lindsay Lohan might have needed to look elsewhere for "inspiration."
Photo: Style.com
Phi, Fi, Fo, Fum....after pre-spring, the label is done. That doesn't rhyme at all. Anyway, the 6 year old sportswear line will cease production after it's Pre-spring collection hits stores. Though Phi showed at New York Fashion week for the spring 2010 season, the line will not be produced.
Photo: Style.com
The feminine and sophisticated designs of Veronique Branquinho are no longer after the court appointed her to liquidate. Canceled, reduced and non payment on orders left the 11 year old label no other choice but to shut down. Too bad, I'd practically wear everything on her Fall 2009 runway, that is, if I had that kind of money to spend. Which I don't and apparently others don't.
Photo: Fashion Week Daily
This fellow Brooklynite men's designer was applauded by hipsters and loved by Pharell. When I logged on to the Yoko Devereaux website, the home page greeted me with "Bitch Be Dead, RIP Yoko D"
Photo: Style.com
While technically, Bill Blass filed for bankruptcy on New Years Eve 2008, but with head designer Peter Som said to have been contractually obligated to present his spring 2009 collection and the emergence of photographic evidence of presentations dated 2009, Im calling the time of death: 2009. I do know this. If I was under contract and I was forced to do one more line, I'd make sure the only person actually willing to wear it would be Lady Gaga. How fun would that be?
Photo: polyvore.com
They liquidated. They were reacquired. What does this mean? I guess its up in the air like all of the other companies that saw the same fate.
Photo: Marynorton.com
We had a special place in our hearts for Ms. Mary when I worked at In Style Weddings. She always had the most sparkling and bridal worthy clutches. The company is now liquidated as well.
Photo: designscene.net
Not even supermodel and yoga enthusiast Christy Turlington could help save Escada from being on the brink of insolvency. What did save the high end lux label was being purchased by 33 year old Megha Mittal and her billionaire family.
Photo: Style.com
The prince of whimsy, Christian Lacroix's label, according to WWD has been reduced to nothing more than a licensing operation. After a year of bids and possible buyers, the house will cease to create couture. Looking back at photos, Lacroix's influence has been undeniable, from the black and white striped full skirt to ombre tights.
Celebrity Branding: No Longer Standing
J Lo: Her Sweetface is turning to sour as the brand is "put on hiatus."
Lauren Conrad - She went to Kohls quietly. Doesn't seem to be what she had in mind when she was talking about "revamping her line"
Hiedi Montag- I admit, I really don't know who she is, or Lauren Conrad for that matter. Apparently they were both on the same show and both made clothes that I didn't buy.
Kristin Davis- The Sex in The City Star's design career was over before it began.
Kanye West- Um, the opinionated rapper's design career was over before it began?
Sarah Jessica Parker - Steve and Barry's department store is no more, leaving SJP no place to peddle her wares.
Mandy Moore- She totally loves fashion guys, but, its like hard.
Hiedi Klum - Dey vanted to ovne da clover motif. Translation: Lawsuits with Van Cleef & Arpels are too expensive to keep fighting.
