The Decline Of Celebrity’s Fashion Week Paychecks

It’s a well known fact amongst the fashion crowd that celebrities are often paid to sit front row at fashion shows. Of course, this is in attempt to bring publicity to the label, and when you put it in those terms, it doesn’t sound so bad.

It’s just shocking to hear that some celebrities will receive upwards of $100,000 solely for watching a presentation that they most likely wanted to see on their own anyway. It was shocking to hear the price of a first row seat at first, but now it seems, brands are willing to pay less.

According to a recent story in the New York Post, sources say that the "golden age" of paying celebrities to sit in the front row of shows is on its way out.  For example: In 2008, Rihanna, Fergie, Zoe Saldana, Malin Ackerman, Amy Smart, Brittany Murphy, Jaime King, Mandy Moore, Joss Stone, Joy Bryant and Ginnifer Goodwin all attended at least one Max Azria show.

In 2012, Olivia Palermo, Jessica White, Petra Nemcova, Whitney Port and Daisy Fuentes were the celebrities invited to the same brand. That’s a pretty big drop in celebs if you ask me.

It seems that brands are spending their budgets on other forms of compensation, such as free flights, hotel stays, car service, access to a makeup artist and clothing gifts. These comps can cost as much as $5,000, which is a major drop from a $100,000 price tag for a seat.

Good business move? Are these brands missing out on publicity or do you barely even notice?

Ally | Elite.

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