The fashion industry and its followers are being humbled thanks to the United States' current recession, which is forcing fashion lovers to shop in a different kind of style.
Web sites and fashion bloggers are getting creative in the ways they present high fashion to America.
RunwayRundown.com, a Web site based in Los Angeles, caters to shoppers in need of some frugal fashion advice.
The daily fashion blog features trends from popular designers and recreates the look for a more affordable price. Site visitors can then click on the outfit they desire, which links them directly to an online retailer to make a purchase.
A lot of shoppers are lusting for designer clothing that are far beyond their price range and don't even exist, co-founder Kim Halzle said.
"Most designer pieces are one-of-a-kind samples that designers make just for show," Halzle said. "For someone looking through a fashion magazine, it can be a frustrating process to see something they love but can't buy."
That reason is why Halzle teamed up with her boyfriend, Jamie Evans, and launched the site last June with one goal: to promote realistic shopping inspired by unaffordable runway fashion.
Runway Rundown's concept follows that of Gilt Groupe's, which is another online fashion resource offering luxury brands at up to 70 percent off retail prices.
Visitors of Runway Rundown can skip drooling over a black lace dress from Valentino that would cost them about $1,000 and instead be matched up with a similar version from Forever 21 for only $12.
Designed by Evans, Runway Rundown's layout is simple and organized. Visitors can filter blog posts to find exactly what they are looking for; they can browse by designer, season, price, style, retailer or color of the clothing.
Immersed in the L.A. fashion scene, Halzle worked for five years for fashion designer Robert Rodriguez, and uses her experience in the industry to pick the blog's look of the day. Halzle said she is confident in her trend-spotting but knows that even though sequins are in style this season, a woman in the Midwest might think otherwise.
"I like to post trends a little earlier so that viewers know what is coming up and what to save their money for," Halzle said.
