(JNi.media) International Vogue editor Suzy Menkes did not make an appearance on Wednesday afternoon, when Gucci opened the fashion season, the NY Times reported Thursday. Also absent: editor in chief of InStyle magazine Ariel Foxman, chief merchandising officer and president of Neiman Marcus Jim Gold, founder of the Browns boutique in London Joan Burstein, and gallerist Carla Sozzani.
The calendar this week featured a match without compromise between fashion galas and Yom Kippur. Earlier in the month, Rosh Hashana overshadowed New York Fashion Week, with shows by Carolina Herrera and Tommy Hilfiger suffering the consequences.
Does God hate fashion? Gucci, and for that matter Alberta Ferretti, who watched their Wednesday shows missing some Jewish heavyweights, cited a prepared statement by the Italian industry describing “the unfortunate overlapping.”
The Pope snubbed the Jews at the White House Wednesday, it only made sense for somebody back in Italy to feel the pain.
Suzy Menkes, who lands in Milan Thursday, told the Times, “I absolutely feel conflicted as I will miss major collections. My work makes up an intrinsic part of my identity, but then so does my faith. I simply will not attend any shows on Yom Kippur.”
President of the Camera Nazionale which runs the Milan show Carlo Capasa, stated, “We greatly respect and understand the importance of this day and are aware that observance of Yom Kippur will impact some in their ability to participate in events.”
Stylish. Meanwhile, fashion director of The Daily Telegraph Lisa Armstrong said she was planning to both attend the shows and observe the fast. But Glamour magazine editor Cindi Leive said she would work on Yom Kippur, because she missed shows in New York on Rosh Hashana.
“My daughter is being bat mitzvahed later this year, and I feel more than ever that, as a mother, I should be leading my family by example,” Leive said.
Keep Rosh Hashanah, skip Yom Kippur. Leading by example plan probably needs work.