"Fashion Week looks glamorous, but as it drew to a close in Paris last Wednesday — following shows in New York, London and Milan — it became clear that the runway has become a racetrack."

"The pace of the multibillion-dollar fashion industry has changed in recent years from luxurious to laborious. Even the seasons have accelerated."

"'In the past, there were two distinct seasons — there was a fall and a spring,' says Julie Gilhart, a consultant for luxury brands who was fashion director for Barneys New York for 18 years. 'Now you have pre-fall, fall, resort/holiday, pre-spring and spring.'"