Boston Fashion Week 2008 Reviewed

This was the second year of the return of Boston Fashion Week. It officially returned last year after being on hiatus for roughly six years. There was some improvement this time around as there were more shows. Unlike last year, there were no awards ceremonies. Press coverage was a disappointment as always. At least last year we had one designer, Michael DePaulo featured on channel 5 for a few minutes and a video was made of his show on Boston.TV.

I agree with some of the articles and blogs I've read on how to improve Boston Fashion Week. Yes, there needs to be a major venue, if not tents like in NYC then maybe a large museum? Nightclubs just are not set up to host major shows with large crowds. Yes, a major sponsor like Mercedes Benz or Olympus (as in London) will go a long way in helping to obtain that venue but no one is will to put up the funds yet. For now, we'll have to make due with smaller venues such as hotels, salons and clubs. Finally, and most importantly, we need to showcase more of the local talent.

It's not impossible to put together a major show with the city's best designers at a large venue. It just takes a lot of money and the cooperation of the designers. However, the major designers seem content to produce their own smaller shows or not show at all. The younger designers are at least trying to group together to put on a bigger show. Until someone or some group comes along with tons of money and a plan that brings all the designers together, we'll have to look forward to more of the same small fashion shows and fashion parties at clubs for the foreseeable future.

Boston Fashion Industry.com Begins

I know what you're thinking, "What Boston Fashion Industry?" You're not alone in that train of thought. Say the words Boston and New England and you think Soxs and Pats, not fashion.

Boston actually does have a number of independent designers. Some have been in business for years. You don't really hear too much about them, the media's focus is more on sports. Sure, you'll get the occasional articles from the local newspapers and magazines but not on a consistent basis. That's where I come in. There really isn't a magazine, print or online, that is completely dedicated to the local fashion scene. You can't find articles about different designers from one source, you can't even find a good list of well known local designers. That's what I hope to accomplish with Boston Fashion Industry.com, create a great directory of local designers, write about the latest projects of established designers, and write about new designers fresh out of the local fashion schools that want to start a business in New England. I'm hoping that the more people read about and get to know the designers in the industry, the more they'll support the industry by making purchases. Shop local, as the saying goes.

The industry here is young with lots of room to grow. Media will play an important role in that growth and I hope to be on the forefront of that media. So please, visit BostonFashionIndustry.com, get to know the designers, schools, and modeling agencies that make up the local industry and pay us a visit, we look forward to doing business with you.