By contrast, the Barbie Collection, which was meant to be a dream show of clothes to be warn by a Barbie Doll, offered more wearable and thought-provoking designs than other fashion lines.

So what does the weak performance and cool reception of fashion week mean? Some buyers went on record as saying that fewer looks would be picked up by department stores this season. This, on top of big names going out of business like Ann Taylor, might mean a shak-eup in the hierarchy of fashion. Those designers who can exhibit true creativity with more mass appeal could be the only ones left standing after the dust of economic turmoil settles.

by Loic Renin