LA Fashion Weak: Geren Ford to Show Spring '09 in NYC

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Looks from Geren Ford's fall '08 collection

Just yesterday, we reported on rumors that LA Fashion Week may have run its course in terms of its IMG/Smashbox Studios partnership—i.e. IMG may be pulling out. We learn via FWD that one of our favorite LA designers, Geren Lockhart, will be presenting her spring '09 collection in NYC: "one of the West Coast's most buzzy designers is Gotham-bound. Designer Geren Lockhart of the collection Geren Ford is launching her first Spring 2009 presentation on September 3 from 6-8 at the Bowery Hotel. Lockhart will present an installation, which will nod to Vanessa Beecroft. Expect deep colors, plenty of wovens and an adventurous spirit, culled from travels to Capri, Buenos Aires and Sydney."

As far as we're concerned, this is great news for Lockhart, who, yes, has been particularly "buzzy" of late with her collab with Urban Outfitters. But it also marks part of the problem with LA Fashion Week. What incentive do our best talents have to show locally when the focus falls on celeb lines such as Lauren Conrad, the Pussycat Dolls and Nicky Hilton? No wonder, the moment the opportunity arises, designers such as Juan Carlos Obando take the first flight to NYC. This, of course, is not news to people that follow the industry, but each time someone hops to the other coast, we can't help but feel a bit sad, and just hope there may be a presentation here as well where we get to cover the best and brightest local talents.
· Cross Country: Los Angeles' Geren Ford to show during New York's Fashion Week [FWD]
· Rumor Has It: LA Fashion Week On Its Last Legs [Racked]