Fashionistas, Add These To Your Calendars
Fashion events have become important fixtures of the industry. They're all about glitz, glamor, and magnificence. More than just "the big four" (New York, London, Milan, and Paris), fashion weeks happen all over the world, each event with its own distinct focus, usually emphasizing that country's special contribution to fashion. Here are the biggest fashion events in the world.
1. New York Fashion Week
Established in 1943, New York Fashion Week was the first event of its kind. It's a semi-annual event showcasing avant-garde styles by established and emerging designers. It takes place in iconic venues across the city.
2. Paris Fashion Week
With a focus on luxury fashion, Paris Fashion Week is a semi-annual event established in 1973 known for its elaborate productions and spectacular runway shows. It features some of the most prestigious names in fashion including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior.
3. London Fashion Week
Since 1894, London fashion week has been a platform for the more eclectic and bold styles that define British fashion. The event features avant-garde designs by some of the biggest names in fashion like Burberry and Victoria Beckham.
4. Milan Fashion Week
Milan Fashion Week has been showcasing the elegance of Italian fashion since its inception in 1958. The finest names in Italian fashion like Gucci, Prada, and Versace can be found here.
5. Tokyo Fashion Week
With an emphasis on both street fashion and haute couture, Tokyo Fashion Week showcases Japan's unique artistic landscape. It takes place at various modern and traditional venues across the city and features names like Kenzo and Yohji Yamamoto as well as up-and-coming designers.
6. CFDA Fashion Awards
The CFDA Fashion Awards are the Oscars of fashion. Taking place in New York City, the awards honor the finest American fashion designs.
7. Shanghai Fashion Week
Known for its innovative designs blending modern and traditional, Shanghai Fashion Week is held bi-annually in venues across the city. The event has nearly doubled in size in the past five years, showcasing China's growing influence in the fashion world.
8. Pitti Immagine Uomo
Held in Italy's fashion capital of Florence, Pitti Immagine Uomo was founded by an Italian aristocrat in 1951 and has since become one of the most important events of the industry. It platforms over 1,000 brands and attracts over 30,000 guests each year.
9. Met Gala
Another huge fashion event taking place in New York City, the Met Gala or the Met Ball is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Known for its glitz and glamor, the event attracts the biggest celebrities, models, and designers.
10. Seoul Fashion Week
Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government since 2000, Seoul Fashion Week is slowly becoming one of the most prominent fashion events in the world. It takes place bi-annually and showcases contemporary K-fashion.
11. Arab Fashion Week
Taking place in Dubai, Arab Fashion Week is a platform for designs coming out of the Arab world. It started in 2014 in an effort to solidify Arab fashion's place in the industry.
12. Miami Swim Week
Held every summer in Miami Beach, Florida, Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear. It takes place in front of the ocean and features parties, celebrities, innovative fashions, and networking events.
13. Berlin Fashion Week
Held in Germany's fashion capital and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, Berlin Fashion Week is known for its many creative and innovative designers. It focuses on sustainable, forward-thinking, and inclusive fashion.
14. Los Angeles Fashion Week
Occurring in LA biannually, Los Angeles Fashion Week was founded in 1953 by the same designer who created NYFW as a west coast alternative. Many of LAFW's events are invite only, attended exclusively by celebrities, designers, and influencers.
Dominique Montgomery on Wikimedia
15. Australia Fashion Week
Taking place in the land down under since 1996, Australian Fashion Week was previously held in Melbourne but has since moved to Sydney. It's put Australian designers on the map, often featuring lesser-known talents.
16. Chicago Fashion Week
Chicago's biggest fashion event showcases the growing Midwest fashion scene. Although it features plenty of established names, it's also a great platform for emerging designers.
CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK on Wikimedia
17. India Fashion Week
Organized by the Fashion Design Council of India, India Fashion Week showcases Indian designers and handloom clothing. Despite its name, this event is held biannually in London.
Bollywood Hungama on Wikimedia
18. Copenhagen Fashion Week
Scandinavia's only fashion week is held biannually in the fashion capital of Denmark. The event warmly welcomes new talents and showcases accessible, contemporary fashion with a unique nordic twist.
Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden on Wikimedia
19. Miami Fashion Week
If swimwear isn't your thing, Miami has a regular fashion week too. It's now the second biggest fashion event in the US and the largest platform for Latin American and Caribbean designers.
Miami Fashion Photographer James Santiago on Wikimedia
20. San Francisco Fashion Week
Set with beautiful landmarks as the backdrop, San Francisco Fashion Week showcases eco-friendly, modern designs. It's known for its inclusivity, charitable initiatives, workshops, and networking events.
