Fashion month is back: What to expect from New York, London, Milan and Paris
The ‘big four’ international fashion weeks are set to debut their spring/summer 2024 womenswear catwalk shows starting on 8 September. Designers will be showing off their latest collections beginning in New York, followed by London, Milan and Paris.
Heritage brands and up-and-coming names alike will be hoping to make headlines, generate online buzz and secure the hottest celebrities on the front row. Here’s what we’ve got to look forward to from the four fashion capitals for SS24…
Carolina Herrera
New York
When: 8-13 September
What’s the vibe?
“New York’s a bit more established, it’s a bit calmer for me,” says celebrity fashion stylist Miranda Holder, who usually attends shows on both sides of the Atlantic.
“It feels more corporate at times. You can spot the industry professionals like Anna Wintour on the front row and you’ve got the Hollywood polish.”
Who will be showing?
Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren (returning after a four-year hiatus) are among the New York Fashion Week stalwarts, while celeb favourites Brandon Maxwell and Christian Siriano are always big draws.
What else is happening?
While not technically part of the official schedule, supermodel Naomi Campbell will be jumping on the Big Apple bandwagon, presenting her collaboration with fast fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing on 5 September.
The catwalk show is billed by the brand as an “electrifying fashion experience, echoing the British fashion icon’s ethos of innovation, glamour and empowerment”.
Burberry AW23
London
When: 15-19 September
What’s the vibe?
“I always see London as the launch platform for a lot of people,” says John Bruce, director of PRM model agency. “It’s pretty exciting because sometimes we need to support the new ones in order to see them grow.”
Holder adds: “The East End has become very trendy and now a lot of designers, particularly emerging ones, are over in the East End, plus the venues are trendier there.”
Who will be showing?
Highlighting the city’s commitment to supporting fledgling designers, this season marks 30 years of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN scheme, with 20 catwalk shows slated including hotly tipped names S.S.Daley, Yuhan Wang and Labrum London.
Major labels on the London schedule include Burberry (it’s Daniel Lee’s second season at the helm of the heritage brand), plus royal favourites Erdem and Emilia Wickstead along with Richard Quinn (main image) whose show is now considered must-attend.
What else is happening?
Several major exhibitions are timed to coincide with fashion week. Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion at the Design Museum is curated by the BFC’s Sarah Mower; Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto opens at the V&A; and The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion will be held at Somerset House.
Gucci SS23
Milan
When: 20-26September
What’s the vibe?
“Milan has super cool brands,” says PRM's Bruce. “It’s an absolutely amazing city, but their market is a little bit more conservative. The show du jour is the Prada show – that normally sets a lot of tone for the season.”
Who will be showing?
Following two noteworthy departures, all eyes are on Gucci, where Sabato De Sarno presents his debut collection after Alessandro Michele’s exit, and Tom Ford, where Peter Hawkings has taken over from the eponymous founder as creative director.
London Fashion Week transplant Karoline Vitto will debut on the Milan schedule, and it’s business as usual for a slew of Italian fashion houses, including Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Moschino, Prada and Versace.
What else is happening?
The Camera della Moda Sustainable Fashion Awards will take place at La Scala Theatre on 24 September, honouring designers who combine creativity and eco-friendly production.
Chanel
Paris
When: September 25 to October 3.
What’s the vibe?
“The shows are just spectacular,” says Holder. “They often take place in wonderful historic ballrooms or palaces or something like that, so you’ve just got a whole new element of romance about Paris.”
Bruce agrees: “I would say Paris is probably the most glamorous. You feel the elegance, you feel the richness.”
Who will be showing?
The longest of the big four weeks, spanning eight days, Paris is home to French fashion behemoths Chanel, Saint Laurent, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Balmain.
British brands Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Victoria Beckham take their usual slots on the City of Light schedule, while Mugler, Maison Margiela and Carven are the most highly anticipated returns.
What else is happening?
More like one that fashion fanatics hope will be happening... Former Celine creative director Phoebe Philo is set to unveil the first collection from her eponymous label in September with suggestions that it may take place during Paris Fashion Week but this is as yet unclear.
