fashion week
Fashion Week is a week-long event where the biggest players in the industry and emerging talents organize runway shows for the upcoming season. Fashion Weeks are held in many cities worldwide, including Copenhagen, but the “Big 4”: Milan, New York, Paris, and London are by far the most popular and influential.
A fashion house typically creates at least two collections/seasons per year. These are distinguished as Spring/Summer (S/S) and Autumn/Winter (A/W). These are the core seasons for the fashion industry and are referred to as the main collections. These collections are the ones presented on the catwalk during Fashion Week. Additionally, many fashion houses also produce collections under the names Pre-fall and Resort/Cruise.
The season in question is presented six months before it officially hits the stores. This means that while the S/S collection is available in stores, the A/W collection is being shown on the runway—and vice versa. This timeline gives retailers ample opportunity to bring the collections to stores while creating demand among consumers.
The big 4
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) features shows and presentations from brands such as Thom Browne, Michael Kors, and Coach. The clothing is typically commercial with a focus on trends and streetwear.
London Fashion Week (LFW) includes shows and presentations from Burberry and Central Saint Martins. The showcases at LFW are often experimental and boundary-breaking, with an emphasis on creative and artistic expression.
Milan Fashion Week (MFW) hosts shows and presentations from brands like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Giorgio Armani. Here, the sexy, Italian elegance is on display. It’s luxury and glamour with a focus on craftsmanship.
Paris Fashion Week (PFW) features shows and presentations from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. This is the most exclusive and prestigious fashion week. It sets the tone for global fashion and places a strong emphasis on Haute Couture.
Haute Couture Week
Haute Couture has an official event separate from the traditional Fashion Weeks. This event is held twice a year in Paris. The Spring/Summer collection is presented in January, and the Autumn/Winter collection is presented in July. The selection of fashion houses invited is regulated each season by the organisation Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. If a fashion house is invited four times in a row, it becomes eligible to become a member of the organisation.
Bridal Fashion Week:
Wedding attire is a category of its own, which is why Bridal Fashion Week is also held separately from the traditional Fashion Weeks. Twice a year, the latest trends in bridal fashion are showcased. This includes clothing for the bride, bridesmaids, flower girls, as well as suits and tuxedos for men.
The most notable events are New York Bridal Fashion Week and Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. These events are typically invitation-only, with the majority of attendees being retailers and media professionals.