The Stars & Stripes of Fashion
By: Boyd Davis

DALLAS, Sep 14, 2001/ FW/ --- In the world of glamour and elaborate parties, in an environment where media attention and the papparrazzi is common place, and wearing the wrong color combination is a cardinal sin, the tragedy of the World Trade Center showed that the fashion industry is far from frivolous.

Even before 7th on Sixth announced the official cancellation of New York Fashion Week, independent fashion houses cancelled their shows in respect to the victims and their families. Realizing the need of rescue workers who toil day and night, they started sending part of their inventory to help out.

H & M has delivered 4,000 pairs of socks and underwear. Tommy Hilfiger is providing sunglasses, blankets and other products. Ecco Shoes is standing by with shoes for the workers and those stranded, and Giorgio Armani is collecting among its employees. The list is long and too many to mention. Some of those who are helping want to remain anonymous because they are not doing it for PR. They just want to help.

Yes, the fashion world is true blue! London, Milan and Paris, though not directly affected by the event are also showing respect. Five designers in London cancelled their runway shows while in Milan and in Paris, though both are continuing with the season, they are doing it without the frills, just strictly business.

What happened at the World Trade Center is a tragedy. It might even go down in history as the worst un-natural disaster. But like Pandora's box that gave us hope, the events of September 11, 2001 gave the world solidarity and in turn, gave the fashion capitals the feeling of brotherhood.

Before, the collections coming from each city were compared and contrasted, even dissected. It was not only the Atlantic that separated New York from London, Milan and Paris. But now, the four fashion capitals feel their sisterhood. Tragedy striking at the height of New York Fashion Week made each city realize that they are connected and could affect each other in more ways than one.

The terrorist attack gave us terrible pain, but they missed their target. If they were thinking that they could destroy us, they were wrong. They just made us steel our resolve. Because if an industry usually accused of focusing on the frivolous aspect of the business could show tru-grit, then we know that those terrorists have failed!

News: New York Fashion Week Spring 2002