All Quiet on the Runway: LA Fashion Week Cancelled but Michael Jackson Tribute Rolls Ahead

Pictured: My Virtual Model Community Website, Is Virtual the Future of the Runway

The latest economic casualty has arrived. LA Fashion Week has been cancelled. The Wall Street Journal reports that the cancellation comes as a result of lack of designer interest as well as the fact that fewer corporations are willing to spend thousands of dollars to sponsor the event. Are the runway shows becoming another casualty of the recession? Is it a bad thing? I’m not sure it’s a completely bad thing. Just as more and more designers are creating discount labels that make fashion more accessible, now perhaps the runway shows will become more accessible via the Internet and social networking. Via the Internet, many more people will be able to enjoy the shows and see what the designers are offering. Some designers are already turning to web video rather than the runway to show their fashions. Designers like Victor & Rolf and Marc Jacobs are forgoing the live shows in favor of technology. Check out the My Virtual Model Community website to see how virtual fashion might work. It’s fun and it’s free 🙂

Pictured: The Virtual Chanel display from My Virtual Model

Pictured: The Michael Jackson poster from the upcoming LA Memorial

Ironically, while Los Angeles fashion week has been cancelled, the Michael Jackson tribute at Staples center rolls ahead tomorrow at full steam. In a time where most people are saving and counting every penny, people are flying in from all over the world for the event. Travelers at LAX tonight noted that they paid as much as $2,000 + for airline tickets to attend the event. Even fans who didn’t get tickets in the lottery, want to be present outside the event. Hotels are sold out and downtown Los Angeles will be full of cars and people tomorrow like it hasn’t been in ages. I spoke to a record company executive this evening who noted that CD manufacturing plants are working overtime to manufacture all his CDs as they are selling out everywhere. Who knew that an artist like Michael, who hadn’t enjoyed good press in years, would be the city’s recession buster?

The good news for those of us who didn’t win the lottery tickets is the show will be broadcast on TV tomorrow at 9 am PST, noon EST. Great music free of charge, in the convenience of your home, you can’t beat that.