The Concept Of Fashion Week

The concept of fashion week (Semaine des défilés (fr)) began in Paris, when marketers would hire women to wear couture items in public places, from racetracks to salons.....

These parades (parade is "défilé in French) gradually began to become social events of their own. (Indeed, in French, runways shows are still called "défilés de mode" -- literally "fashion parades" -- today.

The first Paris fashion week began in 1973