Industry News – March 7, 2016

Curated fashion industry news links for Monday, March 7th, 2016…

FASHION COUNCIL REALIZES RUNWAY SHOW CALENDAR IS WOEFULLY OUTDATED – BloombergBusiness
“In December, the Council of Fashion Designers of America announced it had commissioned Boston Consulting Group, a management consulting firm, to assess the role of fashion week, runway shows, and the fashion calendar. In the six-week study, released today, consultants interviewed 50 fashion insiders, including designers, executives, retailers, wholesalers, and editors. “There was an overall consensus on the need for change,” the report concluded, listing the problems hindering the industry. Merchandise isn’t available in stores in sync with the seasonal weather, even though shoppers are looking to purchase clothes close to when they need it. Runway styles seem old and stale by the time they make it to stores. Meanwhile, fashion designers fear burnout due to the current system’s complexities.”

RETAIL EMPLOYMENT UP – RetailingToday
“A strong report on Friday from the Labor Department shows that retail employment was up 51,100 jobs in February on the heels of a gain of 52,100 in January. Compared with February 2015, retail jobs were up by 247,300. The numbers exclude gasoline stations, automobiles and restaurants.”

AND JUST LIKE THAT, BALENCIAGA IS BACK – NYMag
“Talking to artistic director Demna Gvasalia about his provocative first collection for one of fashion’s most influential brands… “I started to ask myself, Why? And who is going to buy this?” Gvasalia, now 34, says. “I mean, the biggest ­compliment for a designer is to see someone wear your clothes. And that’s something I rarely saw.”

NOW ON ZARA.COM: A GENDERLESS CLOTHING SECTION – Elle
“As much as the fashion industry has moved forward with defying gender conventions–see Jaden Smith in a Louis Vuitton ad wearing a skirt or Daria Werbowy in a gender-neutral campaign for AG–stores still largely divide clothing into “mens” and “womens.” Today, Zara has taken a step in moving beyond such labels by debuting Ungendered, a non gender-specific section of clothing on its website. The 16-piece, minimalist collection includes under-$50 unisex jeans, tees, and sweatshirts in neutral colors, modeled by both male and female models.”

REMEMBERING NANCY REAGAN, 1921-2016 – Vogue
“Although time finally caught up with Nancy Reagan, who died on Sunday morning at the age of 94, history will be kind to her. The former first lady’s passing was greeted with almost universal admiration for her style, her devotion to her husband, and her good sense. It wasn’t always so. If you were around in the 1980s, you’ll remember that Mrs. Reagan—she never styled herself a Ms.—was far from a universally admired figure. She was assailed for accepting expensive gowns at the beginning of her husband’s first term. She was derided for having an astrologist, Joan Quigly, and for bringing such quackery into the White House. She was pitilessly mocked, especially by the young, for her “Just say no” speeches on drugs. Like many wives of famous or powerful men—think Yoko Ono—she became a target of many who, rather than attribute failings to her husband, preferred to think she was some sort of she-devil.”