"Big Four" Fashion Weeks

Although there are many notable fashion weeks around the world, only four are known as the "Big Four": Paris, Milan, London and New York.Paris began holding couture shows in 1945,Milan Fashion Week was founded by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in 1958,.......

Paris Fashion Week was further organized in 1973 under the French Fashion Federation,and London Fashion Week was founded by the British Fashion Council in 1984. Although these key organizations still organize the main shows, there are independent events and producers in all cities, as well.

There are primarily two kinds of shows: womenswear and menswear. There are also shows particular to each location. For example, most haute couture shows are held in Paris, while most bridal shows are held in New York.

Paris' haute couture shows take place in Paris in January and July. (Due to rules set down by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, haute couture can only be shown in Paris.)