CATWALKERS:
Ali Michael and Abbey Lee Kershaw, both runway regulars, are sitting out of the fashion week fun this time around. Abbey won't be at New York due to recent knee surgery she had, and it might be a good idea to take a break from the 6-inch platforms, especially after her spill at Rodarte's spring show. Ali Michael's fashion week appearances have been less consistent since her eating disorder, which she recovered from more than a year ago. Now, though, she won't be at the New York shows, at least. There is no known reason for her absence this time, though, but there's the chance it could be a big campaign.

INDUSTRY UPDATE:
The modeling industry is feeling the economic pressure more than ever now. Fashion week is fast approaching, and the models aren't happy with the pay. Some clients are cutting back so much that models are being paid half of what they made before. "Half price! It's half-price everywhere, in Milan, even in New York," cried Anna Chyzh backstage at the Stephanie Rolland couture show last week.

It's not the models, though, that are feeling it the worst. The agencies are adjusting their makeup of models- a combination of commerical, which are cheaper, to runway girls, which tend to be more expensive. If the girls featured in the campaigns indicate what we'll see on the runways, which they usually are, Anna Maria Jagodzinska Tori Garrn look-alikes will be pretty common.

However, the worst still could be yet to come when budgets are cut even more, and brands lean toward more establsihed faces, like the campaigns for spring have reflected. "Clients will go with established models rather than giving new faces a break, and it'll be tough for new girls," said Karen Diamond, the director of Models 1, where Agyness Deyn.

xoxo,
juicybabe