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A Nemo blog. Dealing with uncommon cents.

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Straight to the point. If you sell lingerie you might as well sell lingerie. BlushBerlin.com Via Illegal Advertising.

For New York Fashion Week, at least half of the 200 labels that are showing have been around less than 10 years, with a quarter being less than five years old.

Though, the seemingly endless wave of fresh and brilliant new fashion talent may be slowing down. The economic downturn has many stores cutting fall orders by an average of 20% and smaller designers without financial backing are bracing for a turbulent year.

The New York Times reports that the fallout could be even more severe after Fashion Week has wrapped. Once the fall orders have been placed, it will be clear who survives (and who does not). The more stores that close, the more labels will fold.

In these trying times, designers are feeling the burden of small stores and boutiques who are taking twice or even three times as long to pay for their orders. Even worse, some stores that have gone out of business are leaving behind clothes that were ordered and produced, but never paid for.

To cut corners this year, designers are upping cost-cutting measures that include bypassing runway shows for more intimate showroom gatherings, using fabrics stockpiled from previous seasons and sharing pattern makers. The cuts and closures are mounting with no end in sight….

Kim Gordon via The NY Times

The original queen of indie cool and and member of both Sonic Youth and Free Kitten, Kim Gordon is back on the fashion scene with a new line called Mirror / Dash. The clothing will debut exclusively at Urban Outfitters on February 16th.

Of the line, Gordon says that “The challenge for us is doing something that’s not strictly Urban (Outfitters) in that we want it to appeal to someone a little older than a teenager or college student, but still have enough youth appeal to belong in the store.” Her focus is on creating solid basics that are timeless and flattering with an image of 60s era Francoise Hardy in mind.

No doubt that she’ll succeed since she’s paired up with friend Melinda Wansbrough and fashion veteran Jeffrey Monteiro, who has worked with Jane Mayle, Derek Lam and Sari Gueron.

The Gap’s New York City concept store on 5th Avenue is adding a pop up shop of merchandise including t-shirts in an array of Pantone shades. Additionally, Pantone office supplies, books and accessories will also be available. Hurry up though because the shop will only be open through February 18th!

It seems like nobody has had the backbone to stand up and admit that American Vogue has lost its luster….until now. Last week, Cathy Horyn finally took the reigns and called out the stale magazine in The New York Times.

Headed by Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour for the last 20 years, the pages of Vogue feel out of touch and lacking the spark that made the magazine legendary when compared to its rivals. A near-constant rotation of the same old faces on the covers (including Gisele, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Sienna Miller) makes you wonder if you saw the same exact issue a year ago.

Interestingly, part of the reason that Wintour has survived this long at the helm is no doubt due to her knack for keeping luxury advertisers onboard and forking over the big bucks. Her authority, knowledge and commanding presence are convincing enough to those who haven’t found the same success with their luxury goods online.

Whereas other magazines are attempting to reach out to average readers, Vogue dedicates entire pages to socialites that have no relevance and offers downright hilarious tips on dealing with the recession like featuring a $975.00 sewing kit.

Vogue needs a jolt and a freshening up, with or without Wintour.

What’s your take on the current state of American Vogue? Does it still matter?