Despite the impending doom and gloom of magazines closing and prominent designers choosing not to show at Fashion Week (bye-bye Betsey Johnson, Peter Som, et al.), some star talents are taking the gauntlet and trying to inject new vitality in the event.
The big news today is that, after showing at smaller locations for years, epic talent Narciso Rodriguez will be returning to the Bryant Park tents this year—showing on Feb. 17. Rodriguez already made headlines this year when the new first lady of fashion, Michelle Obama, chose to wear one of his creations on election night back in November. Granted, it may not have gotten the warmest reception, but the designer is rapidly garnering a name for himself as an important American designer, so his support of the New York institution seems to fall in line with his new role.
Want even more good news? Well, you asked for it: The queen of American fashion, Diane von Furstenberg, today announced her plans to show not only once, but twice at fashion week. The CFDA president is apparently intent on staging a special show just for American Express cardholders (money, money, money, money!), and in an ingenious twist, she'll be showing pieces from her Spring 2009 collection before the Fall 2009 pieces—so "the audience can buy the runway looks immediately after leaving the tents." Genius!
