Setting the Scene: Fashion Week
Fashion Week: a week-long spectacle of dazzling artistry, larger-than-life sets, and the biggest names in fashion all in one place. This biannual event is one of the most important projects for the industry. Creators and viewers alike have the chance to witness jaw-dropping performance and innovative design come together. With the anticipation of Fall-Winter 2022, it’s time to brush up on our knowledge of this monumental event. Whether we watch via livestream or have the opportunity to witness it live, Fashion Week is the culmination of unforeseen talent, the veneration of historical treasures, and the crescendo of fashion-forward hysteria.
What is Fashion Week and why does it matter?
Fashion Week offers both designers and consumers a specific period of time dedicated to spotlight upcoming fashions. Designers are able to present their latest collections and the overarching themes, palettes, and silhouettes notable in their next collection. Fashion fanatics are immersed into the newest face of design; not only are they able to draw inspiration from these shows, they may also put in orders for specific looks. For magazine editors, Fashion Week is incredibly busy; these individuals are working to brainstorm their future editorials and curate a list of possible features.
London, Paris, New York? Why so many locations?
See, when we say Fashion Week, we actually mean Fashion Month. Fashion Week starts in New York from February 11th-16th, then moves to London from February 18th-22nd, Milan from February 22nd-28th, and finishes in Paris from February 28th to March 8th.
The four major weeks are located in fashion capitals of the world. Aside from these four weeks, different series of shows are sprinkled before and after this month-long event in other locations around the world. This gives designers the opportunity to choose a location close to their studios and headquarters. Not only are their locations chosen out of practicality, designers often select a location to which they are native to; this gesture is symbolic in that it supports their local economy, retailers, and other creators in the neighborhood.
Aside from choosing the city, designers have the freedom to host their shows at planned spots or at their own venue of choosing. For example, the infamous “tents” are organized within the Lincoln Center (why the official name is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) in preparation for NYFW. These outdoor venues are a homing beacon for all guests to convene and watch the shows in close proximity. However, due to price, scheduling, or preference, some designers decide to go offsite.
What happens at a show?
Before the show, you can expect an average half an hour of waiting (now that’s what I call “fashionably late”) before the actual show starts. This is the perfect window of time for paparazzi and magazine coverage to snap photos and conduct interviews with attending celebrities, fashion fanatics, and other important figures within the industry.
The full presentation takes around 20 minutes, which includes around 40 looks all sported by models. While these designs are extremely impressive to begin with, some designers may reveal their most prized work at the very end. A final victory lap commences where all the models along with the designer claim their applause. After the show, some designers choose to have a viewing session where models strike a pose and allow viewers to discuss their favorite pieces. This gives the audience an even more immersive experience.
On The Runway vs. In-Store
Unfortunately (but maybe not so unfortunate for our bank accounts), the looks shown on the catwalk do not actually find themselves in store. While many individuals may place special orders with the business, us regular-retail folk won’t be seeing any of the designs on a store rack. This is because the looks produced for fashion shows are really a peek at the designer’s brain-child. The designer is able to make a bold statement while offering us a taste of the upcoming collection’s blueprint.
Madison Bang