It's runway interruptus.

The Ebony Fashion Fair -- a catwalk show that traveled across the country, Canada and the Bahamas bringing designer fashion from around the world to predominantly black audiences -- has put its fall 2009 schedule on hiatus.

The reason? The economy.

Just a year after celebrating its 50th anniversary, the annual show featuring black models has been canceled by its producer, Johnson Publishing Company, which also publishes Ebony and Jet magazines. The fund-raising show made stops in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

In a statement, chairwoman and CEO Linda Johnson Rice said: ``In light of the overall economic challenges that are affecting many, including our potential corporate sponsors, we have arrived at a most difficult decision to cancel Ebony Fashion Fair's fall 2009 season. In the coming months, we will develop a new business model to ensure that the show is a mutually beneficial endeavor.''

The traveling style show -- one bus filled with 10 female models, two male models, assorted dressers and more than 200 outfits -- showcases the couture of up to 80-something designers from around the world in a slick production of choreographed catwalk capers: The female models ``worked'' their colorful coats and fur-trimmed wraps like whirling dervishes while male models pumped their pectorals for an appreciative -- and vocal -- audience. It was all G-rated flirtatiousness.

The fair was ``a great social outing where you can get dressed up and experience fashion in South Florida,'' says Beth Williams, a healthcare professional and part of the Gamma Zeta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in Miami. ``It has become a historical part of our social community.''

Traditionally, at every stop on the year-long trek was a local fundraiser for civic organizations and charities. Since 1958, the Ebony Fashion Fair show has donated more than $55 million to charitable organizations.

``This is devastating to us,'' said Ann Lee, publicity chairwoman for The Charmettes, a civic group that staged the show in Broward. ``This was our No. 1 fundraiser for scholarships, cancer research and other community activities. We've been doing this for 35 years. People from all around look forward to this event and dressing-up and having a good time with the whole family.''

The cancellation is also a big financial blow in West Palm Beach, where Delta Sigma Theta Sorority produced the show to raise money for its college scholarship program for local high school students.

``This was by far one of the largest fundraisers for us,'' said Charice Robinson, the president of the West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter. ``It will have a significant impact. We usually raise between $15,000 to $20,000 in a night.''

Robinson added with a sigh that she will personally miss the family event.

``I've taken my own daughter. It's a rite of passage for black women, introducing them to high fashion and glamour. It's a party with a purpose.''

Miami Herald staff writer Audra D.S. Burch contributed to this report.