What fashion week is, who it is for, when it happens and how social media has changed it.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 1 November 2026
The basics
What is fashion week?
A week or so of back-to-back fashion shows and presentations in one city, where designers reveal their next collections. Collections are shown about six months before they reach stores, so the Spring/Summer shows take place in September and October, and the Fall/Winter shows in February and March.
Who is fashion week for?
Originally for buyers from department stores and boutiques, who placed orders, and for the press, who reported the trends. Today it is also a global media event, watched by millions online, with celebrities, ambassadors and influencers in the audience.
Who organises fashion week?
| City | Organiser |
|---|---|
| New York | Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) |
| London | British Fashion Council |
| Milan | Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana |
| Paris | Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode |
Read on Ayerhs: The Big Four · The fashion calendar
Can anyone attend fashion week?
Most shows are invitation-only, for press, buyers and guests of the brand. Some cities and brands run public events, ticketed shows or livestreams, and almost every major show is now streamed online for free.
Read on Ayerhs: Everything You Need to Know About Attending Fashion Week · Who sits in the front row
Fashion week today
How has social media changed fashion week?
Shows are now designed to be filmed and shared. Spectacular sets, celebrity arrivals and viral moments can matter as much as the clothes, and street style outside the venues has become a show of its own. During the pandemic in 2020, many brands moved to digital shows, and hybrid formats remain.
Read on Ayerhs: How Fashion Weeks Are Changing in the Age of Social Media · The Future of Fashion Weeks · The Business of Fashion Week