That’s quite a pricey dressing for salad.
Back in February at New York Fashion Week, designer Emma Gage introduced a capsule collection inspired by a childhood favorite. Interestingly, it wasn’t Chanel or even Marilyn Monroe that fueled her latest couture, but rather, a ranch hidden away in a valley.
The collection features five pieces, some priced as high as $1,000, and is backed by the seasoning brand. The designs draw patterns from its recognizable seasoning packets.
Gage’s clothes went viral, but not in the best way.
There’s been some buzz about this unusual collaboration, but reactions have been mixed on social media. So, what’s going on?
Twenty years ago, Bryant Park was a hub of fashion excitement, hosting events that made headlines worldwide. Think about those times when stars like Paris Hilton and Naomi Campbell walked the same runway.
“The voice told me, ‘Fashion is the new rock and roll,’” recalls Kelly Cutrone, a long-standing figure in the fashion scene, known for her reality TV cameos.
She’s been involved with fashion shows since the mid-1990s and was a significant player in pop culture during that period.
“That was then, and this is now,” she remarked.
Last year’s Fashion Week felt different—perhaps less glamorous, with sponsors that were more about cash than prestige. Remember Kate Burton’s handbags with popular snacks, or QDOBA’s edible accessories?
And later this week, a cannabis store named Gotham will join forces with several designers, including Colina Strada. They’re introducing a limited edition shirt featuring a pocket for a vape. Meanwhile, Veuve Clicquot will collaborate with designer Simon Porte Jacquemus to celebrate its iconic bottle design.
The fashion scene feels more commercial now. It’s like money has taken center stage, and the atmosphere has shifted noticeably.
“When I was younger, I dreamed of attending fashion shows, of modeling, and sneaking into every show I could,” Cutrone reminisced. “Now, when I get an invite, I’m not even excited to take an Uber there.”
Is there something off? Insiders suggest the decline has been brewing since the early 2000s.
That’s around the time when IMG took over from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, aiming to maximize profits from the high-profile events. Remember when Mercedes-Benz claimed naming rights? At least that felt classy.
Erin Hawker, a PR agent, noted that the market was flooded with overpriced show packages—$45,000 was just the starting point for international designers.
The scheduling conflicts between IMG and the CFDA made things messier, making it hard to adapt. And by the time IMG attempted to revive shows for sought-after designers, it was too little, too late.
Then the Great Recession hit. Before that, Fashion Week was more centralized, drawing crowds eager for the glamorous atmosphere. “I remember the Moet and Chandon bar with countless champagne glasses—so luxurious,” Hawker recalled.
Since 2008, events have scattered across the city, making it harder to pin down the excitement. The costs have continued to rise. Now, organizing a single show can easily surpass $38,000 to $58,000 for venue fees, plus additional costs for lighting, sound, and model booking.
The fashion scene shifted focus to digital marketing, pulling away from traditional avenues. Influencers have become key figures, with brands spending less on large displays in favor of smaller, more relatable content.
Then there was another misstep—the fashion night event in 2009, intended to make fashion more accessible. Remember similar attempts in SoHo in 2012?
Ticket sales that once attracted the elite became available to the masses. Now, it seems a lot of prominent figures are tied to brands, limiting their appearances elsewhere.
Even city officials don’t seem as invested in reviving the glamour of Fashion Week as they once were. Unlike Paris or Milan, which have robust support for their events, New York seems to lack that enthusiasm.
As the city continues to evolve, designers are turning to more unconventional funding sources. Cutrone herself has collaborated with Pornhub for runway shows and plans to do so again this season.
“Sex and fashion have always been intertwined,” she highlighted. “But where do young designers find the money these days?”
