Some of you might remember Whitney Port from her days on MTV's "reality
show" The Hills. She later got cast in the spin-off called The City
before branching out to do things like start her own fashion line and
writing a book. But now it seems she's starved for money, because why
else would she setting up a page on crowd-funding site Indiegogo?
Port is seeking to raise $50,000 for her September runway show at New York fashion week, and the proceeds will be "put towards the hair and makeup, the space, the models, and so much more."
"Showing [your line] can actually be one of the most exciting moments of a designer's life," explains Port in the accompanying video. "I'm doing something that's never been done before: the first-ever fan-supported fashion show at fashion week in New York. That means I'm asking you, the friends and fans who've made everything I do possible, to join the crowd-funding campaign."
Once word spread that Port had gone online to beg "fans" to send her money, critics pointed out that the whole setup is basically just an investment for her small business, only she's calling it a "donation" which means she's not obligated to pay anyone back. And this is unfair for other talents who did not have the advantage of coming from a lucrative TV show background. Plus, Port comes from a wealthy family. Her father, Jeffrey Port, is the head of a Los Angeles apparel company called Swarm. He backed his daughter's fashion line at its inception in 2008, when it was called "Eve & A."
Unlike its competitor Kickstarter which has stringent rules for qualifying charitable and creative projects, Indiegogo lets anyone with an Internet connection and a dream to post any plea for any sum. But to call your fashion business a "charity" makes it seem like an easy meal ticket. The only check that Port needs is a reality check!
Port is seeking to raise $50,000 for her September runway show at New York fashion week, and the proceeds will be "put towards the hair and makeup, the space, the models, and so much more."
"Showing [your line] can actually be one of the most exciting moments of a designer's life," explains Port in the accompanying video. "I'm doing something that's never been done before: the first-ever fan-supported fashion show at fashion week in New York. That means I'm asking you, the friends and fans who've made everything I do possible, to join the crowd-funding campaign."
Once word spread that Port had gone online to beg "fans" to send her money, critics pointed out that the whole setup is basically just an investment for her small business, only she's calling it a "donation" which means she's not obligated to pay anyone back. And this is unfair for other talents who did not have the advantage of coming from a lucrative TV show background. Plus, Port comes from a wealthy family. Her father, Jeffrey Port, is the head of a Los Angeles apparel company called Swarm. He backed his daughter's fashion line at its inception in 2008, when it was called "Eve & A."
Unlike its competitor Kickstarter which has stringent rules for qualifying charitable and creative projects, Indiegogo lets anyone with an Internet connection and a dream to post any plea for any sum. But to call your fashion business a "charity" makes it seem like an easy meal ticket. The only check that Port needs is a reality check!
