Celebrities Need to Get a Grip
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| Blake Lively and Elettra Wiedemann front row at DVF’s S/S 2010 show. |
Celebrities are like evil step-children to the fashion industry. You deal with them for the sake of your spouse— the public, in fashion’s case—but you generally wish they would simply go away. I’ve met and been around my fair share of “listed” people, from A-list to D-list, but seeing and meeting them is very underwhelming to me, and compared to meeting designers or editors, the excitement is negligible. So, when I read “How Much Fashion Brands Pay For Celebrities to Sit in Their Front Rows” on Fashionista.com, the outrage at the rates paid to celebs for sitting front row almost outweighed the bemusement of the post.
Here, on Pink Rock Candy, my celeb name dropping is few and far between. There are a few starlets whom I believe actually love and appreciate fashion the way industry insiders and even us bloggers do, and I respect them for that. The males of the celeb-world are a different story complete, but suffice it to say, they are generally chalked up to eye candy.
Being informed that some celebs are getting paid almost six figures to sit their meticulously toned tushes in a front row seat many people, fashion lovers and socialites alike, would give anything to fill, kills me.
I know public relations enough to know celebrities are a necessary evil, but charging a fashion brand to enjoy it’s latest work in one of the best seats in the house is a bit excessive. To me, that process is almost as ignorant as it would have been to charge Michelangelo to create a sculpture for you, as if it was an honor for him.
This may come as a surprise to many celebrities, but their presence at fashion events though often, and unfortunately, is a necessity to gain public notoriety, is anything but an honor.
As my little brother once said of homework, “It’s a have to do, not a want to do.”
What do you think of celebrities charging fashion brands to grace the front rows with their presence?
I think that celebrities charging fashion brands is ridiculous. It's sickening. I would give anything to spend a few minutes at a Chanel fashion show. What the heck is wrong with this picture? First of all, the celebs have no business in the front row, if THEY haven't paid for the seat. Second of all, why do the designers feel the need to have idiot celebrities represent them (especially if they don't even WEAR their brand)? Personally, I believe the common person only follow celebs for their drama/gossip/talent…not their fashion sense.
I think it's ridiculous!!
I'll sit front row for free
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First, dying that I'm just now discovering your amazing blog. Second, anything with words pink and rock candy in it are like the Siren's Call to me.
And to your great point made in this post, I'm so happy to find a like-minded opinion. In my business, I've also worked with and been commissioned by a few celebs. I don't usually talk about it unless they are photographed in the press and then I will promote that coverage. But there's always been too much emphasis on these “ties” when so many are just paid to show up and not true endorsements at all. Even when I did gift bags, I wouldn't pay for placement. I negotiated deals to get compensated for my custom work. But my march against the mindset of giving everything to celebrities for free is met with plenty of resistance.
Well put my love!!
i haven't read the article yet and had no idea of the $ paid to celebs to be present at these shows. i couldn't agree with your sentiments more. well said! hopefully this scenario changes very soon and there are more of our regular day beloved bloggers gracing the front seats (ala dear heart, Tavi's at the Dior show!). there are plenty of voices out there who count for far more than an overhyped starlet's mug. great post, chica!
I had no idea (as it seems most didn't) that celebs were paid to be in the front row, isn't free merchandise enough! To me seeing a celeb in the front row makes no difference to a designers image, totally agree with daisybabie that there are plenty of more worthy voices out there to be seated in the front row.
It gets kinda grating when I see Kayne West and his horridly dressed girlfriend smoozing with Chanel heads. But I suppose it is a necessary evil. I am not too familiar with the socialites who can actually afford multiple pieces of designer wear, and I suppose it can be beneficial for the Fashion house to have more notable people in hope to get more clients that wouldn't be too familiar with them. Have them in the front rows by all means, but don't let them change your design ethic, yeah I am looking at you Ungaro.
Ahh, the Ungaro situation. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I love Lindsay Lohan simply because of Mean Girls. On the other hand, I don't think her sense of fashion, if that's what one can call it, is distinct enough to be a designer or even provide insight to the design head of any fashion brand, especially one as amazing as Ungaro. However, the consummate optimist in me hopes that this season the Ungaro collection will wow everyone, making us eat our words.
Also, I'm not really an advocate of celeb fashion lines. I think the concept is an unimaginative publicity move that only waters down the fashion market.
I'm not quite sure every designer has to pay celebrities to be in their front row. For example, I don't think anyone is going to ask to be paid to sit front row at Chanel, Alexander McQueen or Louis Vuitton, but I do believe other labels are willing to shell out, if they have it, to get the big names. I personally would do it for free, but I'm not famous. Plus, I happen to know, celebrities are often “gifted” many pieces of clothing to come shows.
Thanks!
I agree there are better more credible people who could fill the front rows at some fashion shows. I'm not sure Tavi would be the first person to come to mind. I have yet to work out my feelings about that whole phenomena. I will say, I think being a reputable blogger isn't necessarily about the clothes you wear or the pictures you take of your outfits. It's also about what you actually have to say, and if you're able to verbally get said message across.
Unfortunately, said drama/gossip/talent is the reason why celebrities are in the front row. They don't need to have a good sense of fashion, that's what stylists are for, but if the name is notable enough the designer not only will have the opportunity of having their name in news but said name will be connected to the particular celeb whether they wear the brand on a regular basis or not. Even knowing this, I still wouldn't give someone a red cent to watch a fashion show.
I understand some sort of a charge for celebrities that are considered especially fashionable, like Sarah Jessica Parker is one that everyone goes on and on about her style, because it is like a public appearance on behalf of the label, but still, a 6 figure sum is outrageous!
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