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via Style.com

Fashion is one of those businesses that prides itself on being cutting edge–that’s their thing and they do it really well, most of the time. So, why is it that fashion designers have been so slow on the internet uptake? By our calculations the internet has been widely available for (conservatively) 14 years. Fashion Week has been occurring every year, twice a year, for the last 67 years (in New York), yet the internet has still not risen to prominence as a tool in the promotion or broadcasting of events at Fashion Week. That puts New York’s taste-makers 28 seasons behind the curve. Well, except for these finally forward few:

Rugby, Polo Ralph Lauren’s less expensive sportswear line, launched Make Your Own Fashion Show on their website this season in lieu of a Fashion Week extravaganza. “The cost of a fashion show has become prohibitive,” says David Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren’s marketing chief. “And because of the economy, fewer members of the press and buyers are making the trip to New York to see the show” (via TIME). The site allows visitors to select the looks they want to see walk down the runway, choose the sequence, the music, and shop the looks with a single click.

Alexander Wang took it a step more accessible this season (if you live in New York) by displaying his show live in Times Square:

Over the last year Armani, Alexander McQueen, and Louis Vuitton have all made a habit of streaming their shows live via their websites and facebook. Vogue has also jumped on board this year, sending out invitations to subscribers to watch live streaming fashion shows for Ports 1961, Armani, and others.

As more and more virtual front row invitations are being announced for Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, it finally looks like the fashion world is becoming a little more accessible. Just a little.