FASHION
WEEKS
NEW YORK
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) created the modern notion of a centralized “New York Fashion Week” in 1993, although cities like London were already using their city’s name in conjunction with the words “fashion week” in the 1980s.
NYFW is based on a much older series of events called “Press Week,” founded in 1943. It has consisted of numerous branded events, such as Olympus Fashion Week New York and MADE Fashion Week, and many independent fashion productions around town.
Producers of New York Fashion Week include IMG, FTL Moda in conjunction with Fashion Week Online, Style 360, Art Hearts Fashion, and Style Fashion Week, among others.
A centralized calendar of citywide events (including those affiliated with WME/IMG) is kept by the CFDA, and was acquired from calendar founder Ruth Finley. Another calendar is kept by Fashion Week Online. The economic impact of New York Fashion Week is estimated at $887 million.
Official Website
LONDON
Organised by the British Fashion Council (BFC) for the London Development Agency with help from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, London Fashion Week first took place in October 1983. It currently ranks alongside New York, Paris and Milan as one of the 'Big Four' fashion weeks.
It presents itself to funders as a trade event that also attracts significant press attention and benefit to taxpayers. It states that it is attended by over 5,000 press and buyers, and has estimated orders of over £100 million.
A retail-focused event, London Fashion Week Festival, takes place immediately afterwards at the same venue and is open to the general public. On-schedule events used to take place either at the British Fashion Council's own show space, 180 Strand, or at external locations around central London.
Official Website
PARIS
The Federation coordinates and enhances Paris Fashion Week and its offshoots each year. At the earliest stages, the Federation liaises with the other capitals, such as Milan, London and New York, and the other shows in order to guarantee international coherence and to remain a true development lever to serve brands.
The Federation provides logistical support to member and guest brands by negotiating showrooms, SACEM fees early on, and can, depending on the brand's profile, offer financial support for shows (DEFI).
At the interface between houses and medias, the Federation draws up and transmits the list of accredited journalists and photographers each season. This list, which is available only to those brands present on the official calendar, constitutes an essential database for sending invitations to the different events.
The Federation also accompanies journalists in their follow-up of collections and provides them with content that is essential for analysing the week in its entirety. Serving the 800 professional buyers, 2000 journalists and 400 photographers, the Federation sets up a dedicated workspace, the Paris Fashion Week Center.
Official Website
MILAN
Milano Moda Donna is the most prestigious event organized by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, with its two yearly appointments and a network of thousands of field operators that work to make this great event perfect.
The woman collection fashion shows are the most awaited moment of the international fashion system. Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana manages and fully co-ordinates all the events, so facilitating the work of showrooms, buying-offices, press offices, and public relations firms.
Official Website
