Fashion shows and fashion weeks are held all around the world, conceived to shine a light on the latest fashion trends. These events are so famous that they are covered by the news articles posted in thousands of blogs and magazines, brimming with images of glamorous, elegant and eccentric outfits.
These are spaces in which famous fashion designers are worshipped. They use these events to showcase their new products and ideas, setting the standards for each season, with parties and glamour found wherever you look.
Each country takes the organization of their own Fashion Week very seriously, showcasing the collections of some of the most reputable and influential fashion designers of the moment.
London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week has been running for more than 60 years. Alongside the events in Paris, Milan and New York, it’s one of the most prominent dates on the world fashion calendar. This event showcases the latest trends for the new seasons in February and September.
This event is currently held in Somerset House, which lies in the heart of London. In 2012, this was the first catwalk event to be streamed live online.
Paris Fashion Week
The famous Paris Fashion Week was first held in 1973 after the French government decided to hold a week celebrating the latest fashion trends, with the money raised from this event being used to help renovate the Palace of Versailles, where the event was held. Oscar de la Renta, Hubert de Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent were some of the pioneering designers who participated in this fashion show, which ended up becoming a true global benchmark.
It’s possibly the most famous fashion show in the world, where designers of all nationalities – such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Louis Vuitton, Balmain and Junya Watanabe – are given the opportunity to showcase their latest creations.
Milan Fashion Week
Italian fashion shows regularly surprise and dazzle the fashion world. This is one of the world’s most famous and important catwalk events, alongside the Paris Fashion Week and the New York Fashion Week. Famous names such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Missoni, Emilio Pucci and Versaceo Gucci are known to attend this magnificent event.
New York Fashion Week
Also known as the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, this event was first held in 1943 and thus constituted the world’s first ever fashion week. It was conceived as a means of attracting new fashion designers to the city during World War II, as back then it wasn’t quite so easy to get to Paris.
Some of the designers who regularly attend the event include Calvin Klein, Badgley Mischka and Michael Kors.
Australia Fashion Week
This was launched in 1996 to showcase the designs of Australian and Pacific designers. The event became increasingly prestigious year after year and has now consolidated itself as a key date on the world fashion calendar.
The event’s uniqueness lies in the fact that spectators can directly purchase the displayed garments as soon as the catwalk has finished, selling directly to the consumer with no need for third parties. Some of the designers known to attend this event include Collette Dinnigan, Ericaamerica and Leona Edmiston.
India Fashion Week
This is the most important and well-known fashion week in India, which was first held in 2000. It’s currently sponsored by Amazon.in and is held twice a year in New Delhi. This event shows off the latest creations of over 100 designers, including talents such as Tarun Tahiliani, Asmita Marwa and Govind Kumar Singh.
Tokyo Fashion Week
Also known as Japan Fashion Week and the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo, it’s the most important fashion week in the country and the entire continent of Asia.
Despite not running for many years, it has already become a key date in the world fashion calendar – particularly for the range of styles on display.
Madrid Fashion Week
This event, organised by the IFEMA (Trade Fair Institute of Madrid), brings together key figures from the world of fashion, celebrities and political figures in one of the world’s best fashion shows.
Its name was recently changed to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, just like other prestigious international fashion shows such as the New York Fashion Week, giving it increased international prestige.
Some designers who remain loyal to this show and who are known to attend every year include Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Amaya Arzuaga, Juanjo Oliva and Hannibal Laguna.
