The True Cost of Front Row Celebrity?

Here's a list I found from Fashionista of the price to have a celeb in the front row. I can't help but think that with the bankruptcy of Lacroix, does pandering to celebrity simply for added exposure work, or, should the front row be reserved for actual industry people who intend on buying, allowing that designer to see another season? Judging from the chart, one's celebrity is only as valuable as their own current market value, or celebrity ranking. It pays to be on top, and a regular ('sup Ri?)

Not much, making $100k. You?

It's easy to get caught up in the proposed glamor of an industry like fashion: the fashions, the fabric, the fantasy, it's all so enticing! - but the problem is that it's an industry first. When the front row at fashion becomes prime "buy or not to buy" real estate for fashion designers exhibiting their works for buyers, in the hopes to make a profit, does having a celebrity there add or subtract from their over all earnings? It may increase market awareness, and also introduce a new type of customer to the product ( ex. low to mid-range buyer exposed to haute couture for the first time, regardless if they can purchase that $10k McQueen ensemble.) 

 

Farewell student loan payment.

I get it - we're a celebrity obsessed culture. But since when does one's presence designate the value of a commodity? Rihanna may be beautiful, famous, and have great taste (or stylists with great taste), but if sitting in the front row of a show somehow changes the perception of even one buyer, is that a risk a designer is willing to take? More research is needed. And now I have to crack open my GMAT test prep book before I go to sleep >_>;;; Yay math!