History of Fashion Week

The beginnings of Fashion Week date back to the 19th century, at the height of the industrial revolution. Paul Poiret and Charles Frederick Worth, two great fashion designers, were at the origin of the event. They had the idea of presenting their creations to the public on live mannequins. Thus, social evenings were transformed into performances.

These events were so successful that the Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture, now known as the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, was created in 1868 with the aim of developing the fashion industry.

The United States put American fashion on the map during the Second World War. The true ancestor of Fashion Week was created in New York in 1943. It was Press Week, an event launched by Eleanor Lambert, a fashion publicist and journalist in the contemporary art world. She invited all the New York fashion designers to parade at the Plaza Hotel in front of the press gathered for the occasion. Press Weeks were institutionalised in 1950.

Faced with the American success, Italy also launched its fashion week in 1958. The event was first held in Florence before moving to Milan. In 1984, London joined the adventure and formed the "Big Four" with Paris, New York and Milan.

In Paris, the first Fashion Week, as we know it today, took place in 1973.

Givenchy, Dior, Cardin, Saint-Laurent and Ungaro were the first Haute Couture houses to participate.

In the 1980s, President François Mitterrand wanted to put France back on the international stage. Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, relied on fashion to promote the French art of living. Paris once again became the capital of fashion. The Minister once again introduced Fashion Week and supported young designers.

A wind of freshness blows through the Parisian fashion world. New designers emerge and enliven the catwalks. The fashion houses joined the elitist and avant-garde world of art. Thus, many fashion shows took place in Parisian museums. For 10 years, the Cour Carrée of the Louvre hosted all the Parisian fashion shows. Over the years, Haute Couture brands have taken over the most emblematic venues in Paris for their shows.

Locations of Paris Fashion Week

Fashion Week always takes place in prestigious venues in Paris, depending on the wishes of the brands and designers. Chanel regularly holds its show at the Grand Palais. Dior presents its collections at the Rodin Museum. Louis Vuitton's playground is the Louvre.

More unusual locations are also chosen by fashion designers and fashion houses. In recent years, the addresses of fashion shows are kept secret until the last moment. Without an invitation, you usually don't know where the various Paris Fashion Week events are taking place. The address of the show you are attending is given to you by email.

However, the brands plan their shows in fairly close proximity to each other in order to restrict the movements of their guests in Paris, who often attend several shows in the same day. Thus, the Marais, Concorde, Palais-Royal, Trocadero or Saint-Germain-des-Prés districts are the most frequented places during Paris Fashion Week.

Dates of Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week is divided into three categories: Women's Fashion, Men's Fashion and Haute Couture. Each category has two shows per year with one edition for the Spring/Summer collections and one edition for the Autumn/Winter collections.

The Haute Couture shows take place in January and July, the men's fashion shows take place in January and June. Finally, the women's fashion shows take place in March and September. The dates are determined by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Women's Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2023 will be held from Friday 9 September to Tuesday 4 October 2022. The official Women's Fashion Week calendar changes each season depending on the city where the brands want to show.

During Fashion Week, the designers propose shows that are always more incredible than the others for their prestigious guests: personalities, stars and media. Every week, a hundred or so shows are presented by the most famous brands, such as Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino or Christian Dior, and by young designers, such as Schiaparelli, Alexis Mabille, Rabih Kayrouz, Antonio Grimaldi, Georges Hobeika, Hyun Mi Nielsen, Iris Van Herpen, Galia Lahav...

To continue your journey into the imaginary world of fashion shows, discover the magical atmosphere of Paris at dusk with our Paris by Night tour.

Paris Fashion Week 2022

Paris Fashion Week returns to the capital from Monday 26 September to Tuesday 4 October 2022. For this occasion, discover the fashion capital on board our Paris Discovery Tour.