Couture No More

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Givenchy is pulling the plug on its couture runway show, opting instead to display the collection to potential buyers at private appointments. It sounds like a frugal move, but the company claims the change isn't about money. Creative director Riccardo Tisci told WWD, "I want to make couture even more special than it is, and not just another catwalk show." And the paper estimates that the new system, which includes setting up dates, hiring top models, and producing a lookbook, will actually be 35% more expensive than putting on a runway show. [Racked National via WWD]