The New Age of Breaking into Fashion Design

Which celebrity does not have their own fashionenterprise," said Mr. Wolfe. "That doesn't seem to
line? The list seems to be getting shorter as moreexist anymore. I just can't imagine who would be
and more stars announce their new lines anda new Donna Karan."
fragrances to be sold at already well establishedThe task for new young designers on the scene
and accessible stores around the globe. The nexthas been made doubly difficult by the number of
time Sarah Jessica Parker is seen on the redcelebrities who already have face and name
carpet she may be wearing the likes of Marcrecognition coming out with their own designer
Jacobs, but her new fashion line Bitten is notfashion lines. These celebs have used the already
aimed for this Prada toting crowd. The new trendexisting economic infrastructure of big names like
among celebrities is reaching out to the massesTopshop and Tesco to market and sell their
by providing them with trendy and affordabledesigns, or in many cases someone else's design
duds on the high street and in shopping mallsthat they have attached their name and face to.
everywhere. But what does the future hold forThis strategy is what can give many new
the real designers out there?designers a ray of hope, using mega stores and
The recent deaths and retirements of a fewrecognisable brands to get their designs out there
major leaders in fashion have piqued the interestto be seen, purchased and worn.
of fashionistas everywhere that are wonderingThe time may soon come when young budding
who, when, and even if, they can be replaced.designer's dreams are not their first catwalk show
Some of these designers and their associatedduring London's Fashion Week, but a job with a
brands such as Versace and Calvin Klein havebig name high street store like Marks and
lived on in the hands of designers happy to takeSpencer, Debenhams or Kate Moss's choice of
on and continue the legacy. In other instances theTopshop. The benefits of designing for big stores
designer brand is bought out by biggerhas even been highlighted on shows such as
corporations looking to cash in on the alreadyProject Catwalk, a reality show where young
established client base. These big name designersdesigners compete to win a job working as one
who are so often worn at movie premiers andof the designers at Debenhams.
award shows might continue to reign but theThis new building ground for designers just
question lies in whether or not the public and thestarting to get their feet wet has potential to
celebrity elite will see any new big names andbenefit all parties involved. The designers receive
faces associated with fashion, as we have seen inmore capital via sponsorship from an array of
the past.initiatives from big names stores with deep
David A. Wolf, a fashion trend forecaster andpockets looking to capitalise on fresh new looks
creative director of the Doneger Group believesand the public can happily drape themselves in the
that the era of massive empires built upon anewest trends for prices that will not break the
single name or face are probably over. "Thebank. Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance
people who have empires and giant names,journalist and keen traveller and watersports
happened to begin their careers with theenthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now
maximum window of opportunity for that kind ofresides in London.