Fashion and The Celebrity
Every season, we see the latest collections and trends from great designers. Having a place on the schedule whether at London, Paris, Milan or New York, is a designer's dream. It is a privilege and a reward for the endless hours, days and months of work that they put into their pieces. Spring/Summer 2012 is over and there were beautiful collections and trends to look forward to next year. But, as is the norm in the industry celebrities had a large part to play in the proceedings. I am over it. Yes, we all know that celebrities give brands publicity and their endorsement of a brand or product is unrivalled. However, when I want to know about the latest Burberry collection I don't want to read through a comprehensive list of who was on the front row and what they wore and then have a mini breakdown of the actual collection somewhere at the bottom. It may be fantastic press for a designer to have their name on the front page of a national newspaper but does it carry the same worth when it is solely to exemplify a celebrity entering their show and not on their actual collection?
Then we have the plethora of celebrity-come-designers. I am not against this in the slightest when it is done appropriately.Victoria Beckham started her line with her denim and sunglasses collection. They were in stores and were a huge success. She then decided to start a RTW collection. Her first seasons were modest and humble presentations, where she played a large role in showing and explaining the pieces to only a select number of the press. She has now evolved into a larger catwalk show, but only after the popularity of her line and her proving that she is worthy as a designer to have a place at New York Fashion Week. On the other hand, we have Kanye West who recently showed his debut line in Paris. He shared his place on the schedule with Chanel, Christian Dior, Lanvin and Balenciaga to name a few. Houses who have a rich and lengthy heritage in the industry. To say he queue jumped is an understatement. Not only that but his collection wasn't strong enough to warrant the media circus that it created and had the overwhelming feeling that it was rushed. It was his first collection and he has a lot to learn, but this isn't my problem. His show was a big affair, which was to be expected but for your first collection, I think humility is required, especially if you're a celebrity. Every designer has to prove why they deserve a coveted spot on the schedule. I know many designers who work hard and dream of showing at Paris, is it really ok for celebrities who just decide to try their hand at it because they like 'fashion' to be able to jump on the schedule?
Photo: www.glam.co.uk
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