Milan Fashion Week Cuts a Day Off Schedule

by Terri Potratz | February 5, 2009 at 11:57 am

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Milan Fashion Week is reportedly shaving their regular 8-day schedule down to 7 by eliminating the final day, March 4. The fashion presentations are currently scheduled from February 25 - March 3, with labels such as Versace, Giorgio Armani, Burberry Prorsum, Bottega Veneta, Pucci, Etro and Salvatore Ferragamo staging runway shows.

“This is a one-off change,” said Mario Boselli, head of the Italian Chamber of Fashion, who attributed the contraction to the economy and, as a consequence, some fashion houses dropping out this season. “We are not obstinate in stretching the schedule. It was useless to keep a half-empty day. Hopefully, the crisis is temporary, so we plan to resume the eight-day week.”

Milan Men's Fashion Week saw a 20% drop in presenting designers, and organizers are expecting a 10% drop in attendance at Milan Fashion Week. Many fashion houses are opting to do presentations rather than runway shows - a trend made evident in New York as numerous designers chose not to show beneath the tents at Bryant Park for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, deciding instead to host intimate presentations and installations during this time frame.

The first day of Milan Fashion Week is designated for emerging designers, while the final day will see lesser known international brands show.