As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, the public is left curious as to what is the next “it” piece. Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Louboutin were all the rage last year; Target continued to provide the masses with haute couture on a budget, and, of course, Uggs and Minnetonka footwear continued to dominate the streets during all types of weather.
However, this year a new idea was drawn up and put into effect; hiding just below the surface was the Indie Fashion Week, an event that sprang up in nearby Brooklyn and added an edgy spin on the otherwise typical mainstream fashion. Not only did this eight-day long event unite the glossy world of pop-fashion with the lesser highlighted realm of the independent designers, it literally bridged the gap between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 marked the day when 20 models, 7 designers, and a mob of onlookers saw “What will go down in history as the longest runway show the fashion world has ever seen,” according to Daniel Saynt, a fashion columnist. Models walked from one end of the Brooklyn Bridge to the other, without a single trip or wardrobe malfunction.
This opportunity was a milestone for everyone involved, enabling a famous, historical landmark to become a catwalk of individuality. Participating designers included Love Brigade, New York Couture, and Brooklyn Royalty, as well as other up-and-coming fashion artists who were thrilled to have such intense, inspired promotion and time in the spotlight. Amanda Gordon from the New York Sun reported, “It was a magical New York experience,” as it allowed anyone interested a rare opportunity to appreciate a fun and interactive exhibition in comparison to a predictable show under a tent in Bryant Park.
Although many of the scheduled shows took place in Manhattan, Indie Fashion Week proved to be a popular alternative to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which never fails to segregate the rich and famous from the commoners. Publicity for the fashionable trek over the iconic bridge was provided by New York 360, BBC, Threadbanger and Kiwibox. For a more detailed look at what was happening that week, check out Stylelist.com.
Although America's economy is frail and probably going to continue sliding down that slippery slope, it's bittersweet to think that there are still people out there with the financial wellbeing that allows them to splurge on overly expensive clothing. Although indie fashion ranges in price, the emotional attachment and sense of pride that is sewn into the seams appears to seep through to the wearer. Supporting the underrated and overlooked designer has never been so trendy.
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