Downsizing Collections: Fall 2009 Runways

According to New York Magazine, the fall 2009 collections shown recently were noticeably abbreviated due to the effects of the current global economic situation. Designers can no longer afford the luxury of parading pieces down the runway that will not sell. Many designers—though not all—are cutting down the number of looks presented in their fashion week shows. Betsey Johnson, for instance, showed only 25 looks this time around, as opposed to 51 looks for spring 2009, 60 for fall 2008 and 41 for spring 2008. She told the Times, "Everything shown will actually hit stores... unlike bigger runway shows where some looks weren't available for sale." Other examples comparing spring 2009 to fall 2009: Narciso Rodriguez cut his collection by 9 looks, Oscar de la Renta and Matthew Williamson each lost 11, John Galliano dropped 17, Giorgio Armani cut 20 and Emporio Armani lost 23 looks.

For a rundown of the top twelve downsized shows this season, check out the article from New York Magazine's The Cut.