Smashbox Studios and IMG Split
L.A. Fashion Week is headed for another stage of evolution. The Los Angeles Times reports that Smashbox Studios and IMG will “part ways” after the Spring ’09 season of shows, which kicks off on Sunday. This confirms recent rumors that had been brewing in the fashion community about the demise of Smashbox Studios and IMG’s partnership.
What form and location L.A. Fashion Week takes next is still up for grabs, but Davis Factor said he’s “not looking downtown,” instead hoping to capitalize on the glamour of Hollywood and employ some out-of-the box thinking. “We’re going a completely different route—something different than the runway-show lineup we’re doing now,” Factor said in the story.
Smashbox will have fresh competition next season, as the REVEAL Los Angeles Fashion and Design Event by IDG World Expo debuts in March ’09 and indie events such as BOXeight continue to thrive. The talk of the tents next week will surely be which designers will go where, what form Fashion Week should take and with whom Smashbox may align next. IMG had no comment except “We are focused 100 percent on the current season’s event.”
Apparel News’ Deborah Belgum spoke with Davis Factor. Read more about it here.
