Amid all the hullabaloo about the economy, it’s easy to criticize the fashion industry and say that the financial woes of companies like Gucci and Versace are just deserts for encouraging frivolity.  It’s easy to say simply that this is no longer a world for luxury, and too bad if luxury fashion doesn’t sell anymore.

Yet let’s not lose sight of the fact that there are little people in every industry, including the seemingly-superficial luxury market.  NY Times writer Campbell Robertson reports on the struggles of independent alligator farmers in Louisiana, who are suffering hard times because of the current financial situation.  Orders for skins have slowed significantly, not only because of more somber recession-driven trends but also because luxury brands like Hermès are taking over smaller farms in suspiciously monopoly-like fashion.

We like that this economic situation allows more alligators to stay in the wild and keep their skins for themselves, but we’re turned off by the fact that big-time fashion names have seemed to turn away and ignore the independent suppliers who have quietly helped them through for all these years.  Although in light of present times we appreciate the general toning-down of the luxury market, we’re reluctant to fully embrace the change because of the small-scale suppliers who rely on business from the fashion industry to put food on the table.

Where do you stand?  Are you happy to see the end of luxury, no matter who else goes down with the ship, or do you think the welfare of everyone within the supply chain (including those at the very bottom) is reason enough to keep selling diamonds and croco loafers?

Read the full story {NY Times}

This announcement comes on the heels of news about Z Spoke, Posen’s exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue collection, and we’re pleased that designers like Posen are attempting to appeal to us more plebeian fashionistas.

Target is giving us a lot to look forward to in the coming months — next up is Rodarte and, with Posen and Gaultier waiting in the wings, we’re definitely eager for the new year to begin.

Read the full story {WWD}

We’re certainly surprised by the preview of the 60-piece line; rather than being a “Zac for less” or a “sister collection,” Z Spoke is meant to speak to a different consumer entirely and is comprised of breezy American sportswear basics in cheery, optimistic colors and prints, which would look right at home in the closet of a Lower East Side fashionista.

Read the full story {WWD}

In order to rebrand itself as a viable shopping source, today eBay will be unveiling The Inside Source, an online fashion and lifestyle magazine which will present current fashion and pop culture trends, in turn directing customers to certain items and vendors that fit within those trends.

The idea seems like a smart move for eBay, as it will certainly give the site a more polished, stylish update — but we wonder how The Inside Source will be marketed in order to bring in people who normally wouldn’t shop on eBay.

Read the full story {Bits Blog via NY Times}

International luxury brand Escada is still in hot water after filing for insolvency this August, but ZSL Partners, a consortium backed by the company founder’s son, Sven Ley, has stepped forward to bid on the fashion house in an attempt to save it from going under.

ZSL Partners is comprised of Ley, former head of Gucci Giacomo Santucci, and Italian investment group Borletti and is backed by several (unnamed) wealthy families.  Escada has not yet reached a decision on the final buyer, but a small number of investors have come out of the woodwork to save the ship, with ZSL Partners offering a little over $118 million.  An official announcement will likely be made within the next couple days, sources say.

We hope Escada will be able to pull itself out of its financial mire and continue to be the great fashion house we love to watch.

Read the full story {Reuters}

Norma Kamali and Elie Tahari, on the other hand, are among the sparse selection of brands who have allowed their iPhone apps to mature into full hand-held shopping experiences.

Many luxury brands like Chanel have balked at the continuing trend of making everything internet-accessible (luxury is, after all, about exclusivity), but retailers in this day and age are better off swallowing their pride and keeping up with the Joneses and all their sparkly new tech toys.

Perhaps fashion really is on its way to becoming more democratic after all.

Read the full story {The Wall Street Journal}