This Week In Lists:The Manager Of A Sandwich StandIs One Of The 50 Most PowerfulPeople In Fashion?Really?

À propos of Fashion Week, The New York Daily News published its list of the 50 most powerful people in Fashion a couple of days ago, and we have a few quibbles.
It's not that Anna Wintour is at the top of the heap. That's a given. She has transcended her industry, and we daresay that as Fashion's current reigning empress, she may well be the first Vogue editor-in-chief who won't learn that she has been fired from watching the 6 O'Clock News. And if she does, it won't be for quite a while. No, when Anna's time is up, she will get the kick upstairs, because we are sure she knows where all the bodies are buried.
We don't dispute La Wintour's position, but though the list includes a good number of genuine heavy hitters, we are somewhat skeptical as to the real power and influence of Michael Oliver, the manager of the Bryant Park 'Witchcraft kiosk (pictured below left), who made it all the way up to number 30.
Really? We're sure he's a nice guy, but come on.
Unfortunately, The News did not detail exactly how serving coffee and pricey sandwiches to the Bryant Park showgoers for two weeks out of the year translates into Fashion Power.
Can he make or break a designer?
Can he get you an appointment with the president of Neiman Marcus?
Can he get you into the Marc Jacobs show?
Can he get himself into the Marc Jacobs show?
The same goes for one or two others on the list who may be highly visible, or marginally influential, but actually powerful? Maybe not so much.
But big congrats to our friend Leslie Price of RACKED, the only blogger included, who made it to number 39.
We know she's more powerful than the espresso slinger.
Fashion's 50 Most Powerful (NY Daily News)

Comments

[joshua lingen]

Until you have made espresso plus put out thousands of dollars everyday for catering for the lounges and shows, you have no right to ask how powerful he is? He is the man making sure your sandwiches are delivered, making sure you beer is cold, and generally making sure that everyone is happy at fashion week. Can you say the same for the designers?