Runway Do's & Don'ts

One positive effect the recession will have on fashion is to eliminate designers who really should not have runway shows. Only a few shows have been cancelled in Milan this season, but I'm sure the schedule will be a lot sparser next time. Perhaps one of the first shows to go should be Alberta Ferretti's. Usually Ferretti--the sister in a sister-and-brother manufacturing conglomerate called Aeffe--turns out a respectable roster of flowing chiffon dresses, some of which have even made it to the red carpet in recent years. But today's show was frankly embarrassing--a jumbled mix of fuchsia chiffon blouses, scalloped lame mini-skirts, a tweed dress here, an oversized mohair belted coat there, some shiny gold stuff that looked like last season's Prada, and even a replica of an Alexander McQueen beaded bootie. In this economy, there's nothing wrong with a showroom appointment.