As fashion weeks draw to a close, beyond what is coming down the catwalk, the most prominent feature these days seems to be the dose of celebrities parading on the front row. Infact, so much so, old school designers from a fashion
generation whereby celebrity didn’t exist, are up in arms as younger design talent and their press agents are forking out bigger and bigger fees to ensure top celebrity attendance and thereby secure press coverage. So what happened to the importance of the design integrity and technique, many are now asking?
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much as there has been an undercurrent of dismay about the practice on the fashion landscape for seasons past, now designers whom rely on the appeal of their design conviction alone are speaking out. One such designer is London based couturier, Nicole Fahri, who adamantly states she has and never will pay anyone to attend her shows, and doesn’t care if speaking out about the ‘cloak and dagger’ style practice causes uproar in the industry.
Other fashion insiders didn’t want to be named but agreed with Fahri’s sentiments; One said: "It would be professional suicide for me to say anything. I wouldn't be able to tell you how much [is paid] to whom.”
Another said that the fashion world did not want to destroy the magic for the public - "It's a bit like Santa Claus."
Front row appearance fees are thought to have originated in the US and spread rapidly. Infact the practice has evolved here in the UK over about four seasons of shows. And unfortunately for a fashion capital which prides itself on design creativity, integrity and talent, it doesn’t look like a practice which is going to stop.
