Begun at the start of the 20th century, fashion week has a long, proud history of showcasing only the best fashion has to offer. While shows run year-round and focus on other things, such as bridal fashion, February and September maintain the two official weeks where the big four fashion capitals of the world (New York, London, Milan, and Paris) celebrate only the latest and greatest in seasonal couture.
When
While referred to as a week, the time table is actually a full month. The first week belongs to New York, the second to London, the third to Milan, and the final to Paris. With 2019’s celebrations already behind us, 2020 is quickly finalizing everything. This coming February kicks off on the 6th and runs until March 4 as designers spare no expense to reveal their upcoming collections. Tickets are already on sale but they go fast as they are highly coveted, especially for the shows put on by the big names.
Where
Initially, fashion shows were held wherever there was space. This all began to change in the early 90s when there was a big push for consolidation. In New York, Bryant Park became the first main stage, erecting white tents to house the shows. The runways were later moved to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Such a practice worked for a while, but as of today, the hope for a central location has dissipated once more, resulting in a return more creative spaces procured by designers, including waterfront carnivals and former post offices. Around the world, Both Milan and Paris use the entirety of their cities to transform the week into even more of a tourist event while London has a dedicated show space that is occasionally left for other venues.
