PERTH: The biggest event on the Western Australian fashion calendar has been forced to amend its schedule to counteract the slowing global economy.
The Perth Fashion Festival, traditionally held over 10 days in September, will this year run for just six days.
The announcement coincides with the news Perth designer Ray Costarella has been forced to decline an invitation to appear at New York Fashion Week next month because of the weak Australian dollar and low consumer spending.
Perth Fashion Festival director Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan told The West Australian newspaper the 2009 festival intended placing increased emphasis on its home grown designers.
"It just needs to be smaller and in tune, not grandiose this year. Everybody will have to cut back. Many designers will stay in Sydney and Melbourne and just consolidate."
Harvey-Hanrahan told the newspaper there would be fewer ticketed events, which had previously sold for up to $200 apiece, and more free attractions.
The US fashion industry had been hit hard by the credit crunch and high-end Australian designers would also suffer as buyers became more selective with their purchasing, she said.
"The bottom line is there are less marketing dollars around and we need to step up and find more innovative designs."