The economy is in the toilet.

Consumer confidence is right beside it.

Unemployment is up. The stock market is iffy.

And Sears, Foot Locker, Waldenbooks and others have closed stores this year.

So, what’s a luxury retailer to do? Keep doing business as usual, baby.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Virginia Fashion Week is already in full swing. Check back Monday for full coverage of the events and a video.

Some of the fashion by designer Yulia Rock is displayed by models in the Virginia Fashion Week. (Ross Taylor | The Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia Fashion Week will host its first hair competition tonight, Oct. 28,  at Guadalajara Town Center, Virginia Beach. 
The event, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature three categories - cut, color and style; special occasions and fantasy. 

I pick up the phone some weeks ago, and on the line is a frequent caller to this newspaper.
"Jamesetta, have you heard about Body Magic?" Karen Mitchell of Portsmouth asks.
"No, Karen, what is it?"
"Jamesetta, you mean to tell me you haven't heard about Body Magic?"
I'm going crazy. What the heck is Body Magic?

NORFOLK When a couple people asked Petty Officer 3rd Class Tommy Doerflinger if he wanted to model for GQ during his ship’s Fleet Week visit to New York City, he thought it was a joke – until a magazine scout approached him at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.

Four sailors were chosen from our local pool of enlisted men last May to appear in an upcoming edition of GQ magazine. Whoops! This page didn't re-direct to the proper Web page. Please click here. Thank you!

 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Confirming that endorsement deals still have cachet in a recession, "Transformers" star Megan Fox is pulling down a seven-figure payday to model Armani underwear and jeans.

The 23-year-old will be the new face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans in 2010, the Milan-based fashion house announced Wednesday.

By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer

 NEW YORK (AP) -- Brian Spaly's quest for the perfect pair of pants led him and former roommate Andy Dunn to start a Web-only clothing company that wants to sell men's trousers that fit - without the need for fitting rooms.

 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "Project Runway" is strutting to Nintendo's Wii.

Atari Inc. is developing a video game based on the popular reality TV fashion competition. The game, set for release next year, will cast players as aspiring fashion designers tasked with creating designs and outfitting models.