Fashion show

 

Fashion show

A fashion show, also known as a défilé de mode in French, is an event organized by a fashion designer to present their upcoming collection of clothing and accessories during a fashion week. These shows occur each season, notably during the spring/summer and fall/winter seasons, as designers aim to showcase their latest creations. The top four fashion weeks worldwide, referred to as the "Big 4" and presented in the order of New York City, London, Milan, and Paris, play a significant role in the fashion industry. Berlin Fashion Week also holds global importance. During a typical fashion show, models parade down the runway wearing the designer's creations while being illuminated by lighting and special effects. The sequence in which each model presents a particular outfit is typically strategically planned to convey the designer's message about the collection. It is then left to the audience to interpret the designer's visual statement, analyze each outfit, and admire the intricate details and craftsmanship of each piece. At times, fashion shows may deviate from the traditional runway format and take the form of installations, where models remain stationary in a designed setting. Numerous modern designers transform their shows into theatrical productions incorporating elaborate sets, live music, and additional elements like holograms or pre-recorded video backgrounds.

History

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the fashion industry in Paris saw significant developments. The history of fashion shows during this period remains somewhat unclear. In the 1800s, Paris couture salons occasionally held "fashion parades." By the turn of the 19th century, exclusive fashion houses in cities like Paris and London started organizing formal presentations to showcase their latest collections to clients. Charles Fredrick Worth was one of the pioneers of this concept, gaining attention by showcasing clothes on real people instead of mannequins. The idea of fashion shows was later introduced to the United States by American retailers in the early 1900s. The first American fashion show is believed to have taken place around 1903 in the New York City store of the Ehrlich Brothers. By 1910, major department stores like Wanamaker's in Manhattan and Philadelphia also began hosting fashion shows to display couture gowns from Paris or their own versions, aiming to attract female shoppers. In 1918, fashion houses started scheduling fixed dates for runway shows to promote their lines to international buyers. These shows were held twice a year, initially in department stores or hotels. European fashion houses actively targeted American buyers in larger cities by organizing these runway events. As the 1920s approached, fashion shows became more common in retailers across the United States. These shows were often theatrical, featuring narratives and themes such as Parisian, Chinese, or Russian influences. They gained immense popularity throughout the mid-century, drawing large crowds of customers and spectators. In the 1970s and 1980s, American designers began hosting their fashion shows in private venues instead of traditional retailers. However, in the early 1990s, a shift occurred in the fashion industry due to safety concerns at smaller show locations. This led to the centralization of New York shows in Bryant Park during Fashion Week in late 1993.

21st century

In the 21st century, designers have utilized technological advancements to modernize fashion shows, incorporating pre-recorded digital videos as backgrounds and presenting shows through live streaming. Examples include Ralph Lauren projecting his Polo line using a water-screen in Central Park during New York Fashion Week 2014. Tom Ford collaborated with Lady Gaga on a music video for his Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Fashion shows have evolved to include elaborate stage sets, often at higher costs, and are now commonly filmed for television or documentaries. These shows not only display new seasonal styles but also influence fast fashion trends and serve as a platform for publicity and artistic expression. The digital age has transformed the fashion industry, with events becoming more accessible online, a change accelerated further by the pandemic.