Fashion Week Overview

Definition

• Fashion Week: An industry event lasting approximately one week where fashion designers, brands, or houses display their latest collections in runway shows to buyers and the media.
• Influences trends for current and upcoming seasons.

Major Fashion Weeks Globally

• New York Fashion Week
• London Fashion Week
• Paris Fashion Week
• Milan Fashion Week

Characteristics of Each City

• Paris: Big brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga. Known for craftsmanship.
• Milan: Maximalist styles, Italian brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace.
• London: Experimental, emerging talent, artistic forefront.
• New York: Eclectic aesthetic, culturally diverse brands.

Fashion Week Circuit

• Typically starts in New York, followed by London, Milan, and ends in Paris.

Other Fashion Weeks

• Japan Fashion Week, Copenhagen, Lagos, Miami (notable for swimwear and beachwear).

Attendees

• Editors and Journalists: Essential for press coverage.
• Buyers: Directly responsible for purchasing collections for stores.
• Celebrities: Boost brand image and sales by association.
• Designers’ Friends and Family: Often present for support.
• Stylists: Influence by featuring brands in celebrity wardrobes.

Importance of Buyers

• Buyers decide what is stocked in stores, crucial for sales.
• Must understand market trends, demographics, and store aesthetic.

Fashion Shows vs. Presentations

• Runway Shows: Expensive, immersive events.
• Presentations: Cost-effective, often chosen by smaller or artistic brands.

Collections

• Main Collections: Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.
• Menswear and Womenswear: Separate schedules due to increased demand.
• Transitional Collections: Pre-fall, resort, and pre-spring, cater to global markets.

Haute Couture

• Shown only in Paris, involves high-quality, handmade garments.

Street Style

• A significant part of Fashion Week, attracts both fashion insiders and outsiders.
• Photographers capture unique outfits for media and social platforms.

Relevance and Changes

• Social media impacts the necessity of traditional Fashion Weeks.
• Some brands may opt for independent showcases due to high costs.

Networking and After Parties

• Key networking opportunities in the fashion industry.
• Parties often offer free amenities and are culturally vibrant.

Sneaking into Shows

• Not advisable due to limited seating and invitation protocols.
• Varies by PR teams managing the event.

Conclusion

• Fashion Week serves as a major promotional and sales platform for brands.
• Trends shown often influence mainstream fashion years later.

Miscellaneous

• VIP customers often receive invites based on their purchasing activity.
• Fashion Week's elitism is questioned due to broader social media access.