Vastly dependent on retail revenue, the fashion industry, struggles to stay afloat under the pressures of an economic recession that has taken our will to shop.
Powerful banks continue to fold, jobs are a commodity and families across the country are tightening budgets to curb spending. Feeling the pressure, many fashion houses have opted not to produce runway shows in the upcoming fashion week season.
Even mega-houses are cutting back, Calvin Klein included, has canceled overseas shows for domestic runways in an effort to skirt the diminishing value of the dollar. But with a foolproof strategy, Nolcha Fashion Week continues to build business and revenue for its clients despite an ongoing recession.
Nolcha Fashion Week founders Kerry Bannigan and Arthur Mandel are not worried. Kerry Bannigan, Nolcha CEO, states: “The media consistently reports frightening statistics for retail and fashion businesses. However, Nolcha's formula of good business relationships, cost effective platforms and continual expanding resources for our niche market equals a recession proof business model.”
Nolcha's survival kit for new and emerging designers is built upon collaboration. Through Nolcha's efforts, young designers, with all the talent but less of the budget of top design houses, will not have to skimp on underrated venues or skip fashion week all together. Through Nolcha, emerging designers can still present their talents to the industry by way of a collective show.
For Fall 2009, Nolcha is offering its designers a collaborative exhibit at The Plaza, which despite the luxurious venue, is less costly (and more environmentally sensitive) then runway shows. An added advantage is that guests often prefer exhibits as a more personal introduction to presenting designers; exhibitions, unlike traditional runways, afford guests an interactive experience—to feel the fabrics, meet the designers and even try on accessories.
In a week of fashion chaos when there is so much to see, but not enough hours in the day, group installations are applauded by editors who cheer the idea of bypassing commutes by seeing multiple designers in one venue, and skirting the long lines and time consuming seating arrangements of traditional runway shows. Noted designers like Vera Wang, Carmen Marc Valvo, Perry Ellis and Alice Temperly have also chosen similar exhibits and installations over runways for recent and upcoming seasons.
Additionally, Nolcha President, Arthur Mandel further alleviates the cost to young designers by putting a focus on marketing and securing sponsorship and advertising from leading companies such as: Coca Cola, Paul Mitchell, Lavazza and Amstel, says Mandel, “Even in a tough economy, companies have marketing strategies to imply in order to maintain sales and brand awareness. They are placing their money smartly and know that Nolcha can provide their desired clientele outreach.”
Nolcha Fashion Week will be exhibiting fashion and accessories designers at The Plaza on February 19, 2009. Designers include, in Accessories: Barbara Sears Nelson, Betty Lou Jewels and Eenamaria. In Apparel: Celestino by Sergio Guadarrama, emeDesigns, Nadia Nour, and Vaughn Jereaux (winner, Race to Be Creative Challenge).
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