With Fashion Week (or Fashion Month) about to commence, here is everything there is to know about the fashion industries biggest event, from the different types of fashion shows to how many looks are presented.
What is Fashion Week?
Fashion week is an industry event that provides an opportunity for designers and fashion houses to showcase their latest collections.
When did it start?
Originally called ‘Press Week’, Fashion Week began in New York City in 1943.
During World War II U.S. journalists were unable to travel to France for inspiration, so Eleanor Lambert, a fashion publicist, saw an opportunity to instead promote American designers. Press Week was seen as an efficient way for journalists to see new designer collections at one time.
London Fashion Week was the first to use the term “Fashion Week” in 1984. These events were organised by the British Fashion Council who still organise the events today.
Where does fashion week take place?
The four most important fashion weeks take place in New York, London, Milan and Paris, always in this same order. There are however, several other cities around the world hosting their own fashion weeks, including Copenhagen, Tokyo and Berlin.
Do different designers show in different cities?
Yes, different designers will show in different cities. Which city usually depends on where their studio (or atelier) is based. For instance, Ralph Lauren is an American fashion brand, which is headquartered in New York and so his collections are usually showcased during New York Fashion Week. Whereas, Chanel, a French fashion house, shows in Paris.
How do the fashion seasons work?
Fashion week seasons are six months in advance. So, the shows held in February will present the autumn/winter collections for later that year, whereas in September the spring/summer collections are showcased for the following year.
Are there different types of fashion shows?
There are 5 main categories of fashion shows:
Ready-to-wear
Ready-to-wear shows are collections presented in February and September each year. They feature more practical, everyday looks that the mainstream population would want to buy. Many high-street and department- store brands draw inspiration from ready-to-wear collections.
Couture
This term originates from France and refers to the upscale, handmade designs of a fashion designer. It isn’t mass-produced or something you can buy at any time. Couture designers such as Chanel and Dior must abide by strict rules and regulations to ensure their designs remain exclusive. Most of the designs are extravagant, luxurious and for the most part, unwearable. Prices of couture gowns are excessively high and outside of the runway usually only seen on red carpets.
Menswear
This one speaks for itself. Many designers choose to show their menswear collections separately in order to help them stand out from womenswear which is usually given more attention.
Resort
Sometimes referred to as Pre-Spring or Cruise collections, resort shows were originally targeted toward affluent vacationers who needed a new wardrobe mid-season to travel to their luxurious destinations. Think lightweight fabrics and statement swimsuits. Unlike ready-to-wear, couture and menswear, designers typically have just one resort show each year.
Pre-Fall
These shows run in late summer and offer a taste of what is to come in the autumn/winter collections. They’re designed to create buzz and set the stylistic direction for autumn/winter.
READ MORE: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends You Need To Know
What are the shows like?
The actual runway shows are shorter than you might think. They run for around 10- 20 minutes, depending on how elaborate the show is and how many looks the designer is presenting. More commonly in recent years, some designers have been more inventive with their shows by having surprise musical performances.
Depending on the designer there may be some famous faces walking the runway. Most notably models such as Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski. Sometimes designers may even have celebrities walk their shows.
Most fashion shows end with all of the models walking the runway together for one last parade of looks, before the designer comes for a final wave.
How many looks are presented during a show?
There is no set number for the amount of looks that need to be presented at a show. It varies from designer to designer and show to show, but on average 30-40 looks will be shown in each collection.
Is a fashion presentation different to a fashion show?
Yes, some designers will opt to show their latest collection in the form of a presentation instead of, or as well as a runway show. Presentations serve the same purpose as a runway show, but they give guests a chance to get a closer look at the clothes in a more intimate setting.
Who attends fashion shows and how do you get invited?
Fashion shows are not open to the public, they are exclusive industry events and you usually need to be invited by the designer or their press team. They are attended by fashion buyers, magazine editors, retail executives, photographers and celebrities (who help to generate press coverage for the designer and their collection).
Many designers choose to live stream their shows to a global audience via social media, so if you’re not able to score an invite to a physical show, you can always watch it digitally.