Fashion Week 2009 Canceled?

The show must go on, except it might not.

The shaky economic climate has caused lot of uncertainty around Fashion Week in February. Many designers are looking to cut costs and scale back, and the most obvious way is to eliminate a formal showing in Bryant Park where an average runway show can cost anything from $150,000-$200,000 (or more).

Who's thinking about skipping out? Betsey Johnson, who has shown in the tents for the last five seasons, won't be able to make it this year, along with Carmen Marc Valvo who has been a Park regular for the past ten years.

DKNY is opting for a stage presentation instead of a runway show, as is Vera Wang and J. Mendel. The date and location for these events has yet to be announced.

Sadness! The stock market crashes and suddenly fashion week is no more?

Someone call Anna Wintour and tell her to fix it.