Fashion: An Open Letter to Christopher Bailey

Dear Mr. Bailey:

I would like to congratulate you on your Fall/Winter 2010 collection for Burberry. It is quite simply gorgeous. Kudos to you for that. I also admire your graceful embrace of social media. This said, I do have a bone to pick with you.

First, I rather resent the fact that you've made me want to purchase virtually every single item you sent down the runway yesterday from inner wear to outer wear to accessories to foot wear. I may very well have to rob a bank just to afford it all. How irresponsible of you to create such intense longing and desire. During a recession no less!

Second, I have to date made a conscious decision to avoid fur. It's not that I don't love the look of it (let alone the feel) but mine is a principled decision. I have to date been able to remain true to that principle. Alas, while watching your runway presentation yesterday afternoon, I could practically feel my resistance breaking down and crumbling all around me. I want you to know that I hold you directly accountable for any compromise of my moral principles that may occur next winter. That's all.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Helene]

Your reference to Cruella de Vil is not lost on me willowblue. The fur industry is not a pretty business and it largely motivates my refusal to wear it. This said, I can't really judge others who do as I'm an enthusiastic carnivore and the food industry isn't exactly a poster child for high moral standards either. We all have our price and mine is a lovely steak frites, medium rare, washed down with a good bottle of red wine.

I do agree with you as well on the money issue - I think that the resurgence of fur on the runways of NY, London and Milan this season has much to do with the economy. Integrating fur into a collection is a fairly easy way for a designer to communicate a "luxury vibe" to potential customers. Also, in the case of a few designers including Thakoon, the presence of fur in their collection has much to do with sponsorship deals with furriers such as Saga.

As always, thank you for your comment. They keep me on my toes!

Helene

[willowblue]

One imagines that the spirit of Cruella de Vil was somewhere in the celebrity front row. (*o*)
Seriously, though, is fur the new ``bag''?
There's been talk that designer carriers are peaking or even, gaasspp!, slowing down.
Perhaps the brands are panning around for a new lust item to plug the shortfall in sales, and designer skins could be the next thing.
Goodbye, conservation, environmental protection, and all that PC jazz. Nothing is more sacred than the bottom line.

[Mlle L]

Bailey's autumn 10 collection was again fantastic. The fact that it was broadcast in 3D and then sold immediately was genius. Burberry is leading the way in terms of fashion use of new technology.

If only the front row hadn't distracted some journalists' attention away from the clothes and technological prowess. Hilary Alexander's "Hollywood stars turn out for Burberry at London Fashion Week" which lead with "Celebrities who wore the 154-year-old label to watch its show included Uma Thurman, Kate Hudson, Claire Danes, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Mia Wasikowska, star of the new Alice in Wonderland film." comes to mind.

Yours,

Mlle. L.

[veena]

I absolutely agree with this ,Burberry is doing great, and will continue to do so, by staying true to it's core- very Urban, very Brit and with that outdoorsy touch.
On the fur issue- I think each creation should be available in two options "fur" and "faux" and when people see the faux is nearly (well real fur does feel more luxurious) as good to look at, while being more practical and humane, I am sure quite a few will switch.