See You Later, Alligator?

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}