September 18, 2008

L.A. Fashion Awards postponed

The 2008 L.A. Fashion Awards, the finale of L.A. Fashion Week since 2005, have been put on ice after organizers were unable to secure the sponsorship necessary to cover production costs. "Rather than produce a sub-par event, the program is on hold," said Jen Uner, the event's helmswoman. Traditionally held at LA's Orpheum theatre, a venue perhaps oversized for the fledgling event, the awards were set to be scaled down this year anyhow, with Uner saying a "smaller, more refined invitation-only event" had been in the works for 2008.
Now it looks as though the awards may skip 2008 entirely, with organizers saying they are "hopeful for 2009".
Even in the context of the economic decline, it's not clear what this says about L.A. Fashion Week, which has struggled with its "Runt of the Fashion Week Litter" image for several years.
However, not having a Fashion Awards ceremony doesn't mean there's nothing to celebrate in the L.A. fashion scene, or should I say, fashion retail scene, this year. In 2008, the city enjoyed the opening of the Alexander McQueen store, a Comme des Garcons 'guerilla' store in Downtown, a new Ralph Lauren store for Melrose Place and the continuing growth of its famed Robertson Blvd. shopping scene. And let's not forget the showbiz awards—the Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes red carpets, with their camera-ready diamonds and flowing goddess gowns, continue to have the eye of the world.
Let's see what 2009 brings.

September 18, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink

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