The Catwalk Crashers - Fresh Runway Entertainment
Every once in a while, fashion is a center for mockery when it’s Fashion Week. The catwalk crashers strut down the runway often in ridiculous outfits bearing signs of protest against fur, labor, and whatnot. Most recently there was British comedian actor Sasha Baron Cohen (known for his Ali G. and Borat characters) who burst onto one of the catwalks in Milan. He was able to fool security with fake passes with his crew and caused a commotion backstage. Cohen apparently was able to walk on the catwalk, cloaked in black cloth, to reveal seconds later a wacky concoction of different fabrics wrapped crudely around him with some boots hanging off the side. A Milan official grabbed hold of him before he was escorted off stage.
Last season at MFW Fall 2008, 2 crossdressers struted down the runway bearing signs that had nothing to do with the fashion industry to the utter indifferent reaction of the crowd. Everyone thought it was part of the show, but apparently, it wasn’t.
I find these comedic breaks or unforseen protests to be kind of a breath of fresh air in such a serious environment. For too many years the catwalks are laden with expressionless models who robotically move down the runway. If you look back to old 1980s footage of runway shows, there’s a huge difference in attitude and presentation of the clothes. Models swirved, smiled, lived and breathed the clothes they wore even if they were only for a few seconds. Being so brainwashed with robotic models, the 1980s runways look kind of kitschy, yet profoundly human. Only a few designers encourage their models to really act out during runway shows the ones that pop in my head are Jean-Paul Gaultier and Dior by John Galliano. These kind of theatrics may be over the top for saleability, yet for entertainment value, they are one of the most visually pleasing.
We don’t necessarily have to have catwalk crashers to be entertained, but a little more movement and expression wouldn’t hurt the shows.
Image credit: Reuters
MFW Spring/Summer 2009 - Not Attending
Fall is just coming around the corner everyone, and you know what that means: fashion week madness for a month and a half. Of course as a small time blogger, one can only count to be so lucky to attend a local fashion week at all. Those who are full time fashion journalist get to do the merry-go-round the globe in four (sometimes five) different countries: New York, Milan, London, Paris and Tokyo.
On our Canadian end, we have Montreal, L’Oreal (Toronto), and Vancouver Fashion Weeks - no surprise here. The obvious difference between say NY Fashion Week and one of ours is the scale and size of the shows. NY has approximately over 70 designers last I counted, while as MFW had like - 12 designers to showcase. Also, I’ve noticed that the Canadian designers seem to showcase more so on functionality than full on glamour like the rest of the world. On one hand, this is good for buyers who own small boutiques and want to get past the flashing in fashion and get down to saleability. We’re also in an economically advantageous status as the US economy keeps going down the drain, American buyers are less likely to pick the more expensive European brands and might even give a break to local Canadian talent because - well, they’re cheaper, I’m afraid to say.
Tickets to Attend Fashion Week
This seems to be relatively new to the scene of L’Oreal and MFW for a couple of years. Both websites have posted possibilities to buy tickets to see fashion shows, unprecedented a few years ago as fashion week is usually a very restricted “media and professionals only” circle. My guess is that there are two reasons for it:
- Because Canadian Fashion Weeks aren’t as popular, media and buyers don’t fill up the entire seating chart of many shows. This I can attest, when there are smaller, unknown brands showcasing, it’s sad to see these seats half filled. Selling tickets will fill those seats and will generate extra income in the process.
- Fashion is a hot commodity thanks to magazines, reality shows, websites and blogs. The instantaneous 24/7 fashion wire can’t even compare to the “real deal” experience of a real fashion show. Going to one of these things is like going to see a concert of your favorite band, nothing compares to the real thing. Organizers know this, and they will play that card this year.
The big guns over at NY, London, Milan and Paris don’t need to sell tickets because people are just fighting to even have rights to get in in the first place. Everyone is just dying to see these shows, and bless the lucky souls who know others in the business to attend these prestigious fashion shows, they are something else all together.
This blogger is staying home this year
While the chances of bloggers attending fashion shows and events have risen over the last couple of years, fashion week is still a little out of our reach. But this may now slowly change with the likes of Inside The Tents making an initiative in helping bloggers get to these events. I’ve already attended 2 MFWs and quite frankly don’t think I’ll miss it much since I won’t be attending this year. It’s long hours, crowded, expensive (the food), and all too much brouhaha for a 20 minute show. I’ve only enjoyed 2-3 collections but there really isn’t much to say about them except describing their looks. That’s all what fashion week is about - describing a collection. 95% of the time it’s “fabulous” and a season’s “must-have”. We’re not really told why certain designers didn’t showcase this year or last year, most of the time it’s due to money constraints as they can’t afford to show at fashion week. Plus it’s a hassle to drag the numerous (useless) swag they give you, what am I to do with a plastic martini shaker and made-by-crocs shoes that don’t fit?
I suppose it’s another story if I were to go to the bigger venues since the usual suspects usually turn out more interesting pieces for show. I’d be happy to just attend one of each of the big shows just once in my life and I’d be happy enough.
I’ll be watching MFW from the comfort of my own home, in pajamas, lying on my couch with my laptop with pepsi and chips. Now that’s luxe.
