By Clementine Vogel, Year 11
Every year, the fashion world turns its attention to four major cities: New York, Paris, London and Milan. These cities host the biggest global fashion events and shows in the industry, where designers present their newest collections and set the tone for what people will be wearing in future seasons. Fashion week gains a large amount of media attention and coverage due to the attendance of many celebrities, influencers and fashion designers. Designers from around the world presented their Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collections, often months before those clothes appear in stores.
New York is usually the first city to host Fashion Week throughout the whole month. It is known for its more modern and wearable styles, featuring brands such as Ralph Lauren, Coach and Tory Burch, who presented collections mixing classic American style with contemporary elements. This year’s runways highlighted strong tailoring, oversized silhouettes and statement accessories, reflecting on New York’s creativity as a city. New York often establishes trends that will appear throughout the rest of Fashion Month.
London Fashion Week is known for its creativity and experimental fashion, it often supports young and emerging designers. This year, runways featured bold colours, unusual silhouettes, and artistic concepts. Designers often push boundaries and treat fashion as a form of self-expression. Burberry, Erdem and Richard Quinn are the most famous brands that appear every year. However, London’s experimental side is highlighted through emerging brands such as Ahluwalia and Phoebe English.
Milan Fashion Week is famous for its luxury and elegance, featuring major Italian fashion houses such as Gucci, Prada and Versace, which showcase collections focused on craftsmanship, tailoring and high-quality fabrics. This year often included structured suits, leather pieces and sophisticated eveningwear. One memorable look from Prada featured a structured barn jacket with crystal detailing hidden beneath the collar, demonstrating the attention to detail that defines Milan Fashion Week.
Lastly, Paris, the final stop of Fashion Month. Often considered the most prestigious. It is home to some of the most famous luxury fashion houses in the world, such as Chanel, Dior, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. The shows are known for dramatic runway presentations and high-fashion couture. For example, Chanel is known for transforming its runway into elaborate sets, from a full supermarket where models walked around aisles as shoppers, to a beach, to even a rocket launch set at the Grand Palais, the brand turns the fashion show into an immersive experience. Many of the most influential fashion trends come from Paris and its designers.
Fashion Week plays an important role in shaping global fashion trends and showcasing new collections. The designs presented on the runway often inspire what appears in stores months later and what people wear months later. The events and shows demonstrate how fashion combines art, culture, and creativity.
