Seven days, endless trends, and a whirlwind of creativity — welcome to the magic of Fashion Week
Fashion Week, the holy grail of every fashion lover’s trajectory. As a fashion and beauty writer, I can confidently say it is the busiest, longest — and somehow shortest — week of the year. You would think seven days is ample time, but once Fashion Week begins, time becomes a concept. One moment you’re studying show notes, and before you’ve fully absorbed one runway show, another is already unfolding.
Amidst it all, I live for seeing what my favourite designers have created during the new season, anticipating any resurgences, and discovering the newest trends. It’s about soaking in all the magic and savouring the moments before the next show begins.
But what exactly is the industry’s biggest week , and why does it hold such a revered place in the fashion world? Let’s take a closer look at what it really entails — and why it’s so much more than just runway shows.
Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026
Understanding Fashion Week
In simple terms, Fashion Week is a series of organised events where fashion designers, brands and houses present their new collections to retailers, press, celebrities, influencers, and the industry. The goal is to set the trends for the upcoming seasons, generate buzz and shape forthcoming fashion narratives.
During the Big Four circuit, brands showcase collections through runway shows, presentations (more intimate), digital films and private showrooms for buyers and other important personnel.
On the fashion week stage, designers introduce collections ahead of their time. They show clothes meant for upcoming seasons, and it’s usually roughly about six months before they officially hit stores.
It is done this way to give photographers and fashion magazines enough time to capture the collections and prepare their publications. It also allows retail houses sufficient time to decide which pieces or collections they would like to order for their customers.
The “Big Four”
While many cities host their own weeks, the industry revolves around four major capitals. They follow a rhythmic, non-negotiable order: New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. Each city hosts its events for roughly seven days — hence the name — and across the shows, brands showcase their latest ready-to-wear collections. They happen twice a year in February/March (Fall/Winter collections) and September/October (Spring/Summer collections).
Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Lagos Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
Types of Fashion Weeks
What I love most about the fashion calendar is the diversity of experiences it brings. These are the main ones to look out for:
Ready-to-Wear (Prêt-à-Porter)
Ready-to-Wear Fashion Week (or Prêt-à-Porter) is the primary event where the world’s biggest designers showcase the clothes that will eventually be sold in boutiques and department stores. They happen twice a year in February/March and September/October
Haute Couture
Haute Couture is the most prestigious, expensive, and artistic tier of the fashion world. Haute Couture refers to the making of one of a kind custom fitted clothing that’s made by hand from start to finish. In France, Haute Couture isn’t just a fashion term — it’s legally protected. A brand cannot call itself Haute Couture unless it meets strict criteria set by the French government. These shows are held only in Paris and happen in January and July.
The most recent Haute Couture season, which concluded just last month at PFW26, was nothing short of amazing. Designers delivered breathtaking craftsmanship, signifying to the world to take things slow in these hard times. It was a reminder that Couture is less about trends and more about artistry at its highest level.
Menswear Fashion Week
Similar to the usual Fashion Week shows, but this is dedicated to men’s collections only. While some brands now combine men’s and women’s shows, the dedicated menswear circuit typically happens just before the main women’s shows. They happen in January and June.
Resort/Cruise Shows
The resort bridges the gap between the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. Think High-end vacation clothes, silk tunics, lightweight suits, swimwear, and chic sunglasses. Brands do not give them much press coverage, but they generate the most revenue because they are more wearable and classic. They happen in May/June.
Nigeria’s place in the fashion conversation
Lagos Fashion Week has evolved into one of Africa’s most significant fashion platforms. What began primarily as a runway showcase has grown into a full-scale economic catalyst and a strategic node within Nigeria’s creative and business ecosystem. Beyond the spectacle, the week actively promotes African designers, connects them to global buyers, and drives critical conversations around sustainability and responsible production.
In November 2025, the event became the first fashion platform to win the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the “Build a Waste-Free World” category. Founded by Omoyemi Akerele, the initiative was awarded £1 million to scale its circular fashion model, which champions African craftsmanship and ethical textile production. This historic win, announced in Rio de Janeiro, will fund the creation of a circular fashion hub in Lagos and support LFW’s mission to expand sustainable manufacturing standards across the continent by 2030.
Alongside it, GTCO Fashion Weekend continues to serve as another powerful platform amplifying Nigerian creativity on the global stage. Together, these initiatives have strengthened the visibility of our designers, ensuring that Nigerian fashion is not only seen but respected internationally.
This global momentum is becoming increasingly evident on international runways. At the ongoing London Fashion Week, several Nigerian designers are presenting their collections to a worldwide audience.
Nigeria on the global stage
Tolu Coker unveiled her collection on the 19th of February in a presentation attended by King Charles III. This was a significant moment that underscored the growing recognition of Nigerian talent. Kanyinsola Onalaja, of the label Onalaja, is set to present her Autumn/Winter collection on the 20th. Additionally, Priya Ahluwalia of Ahluwalia will participate through a curated showcase running from the 20th to the 23rd. These milestones further cement the presence of Nigerian creativity within the global fashion calendar.
More of this global recognition and milestones were also noticed recently at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala, where numerous international celebrities wore Nigerian designers — a visible sign of how far the industry has come.
Beyond the traditional runway format, Nigerian brands are also leaning toward offsite shows — transforming unconventional spaces into immersive fashion experiences. This shift is strategic. It gives designers and brands full control over the experience, shaping everything from the mood to the narrative. This strengthens brand storytelling, elevates perception globally , and reinforces the cultural narratives woven into each collection.
For the Nigerian fashion lover, these weeks are a celebration of identity, proving that our expertise and textiles belong on the same world stage as the “Big Four.””
Read also: Beyond the runway: How Lagos Fashion Week is powering Nigeria’s creative economy
Cultural influence & the business factor beyond the catwalk
The reason the world watches the global fashion stage so closely is simple: it sets the trends that will define style for the months ahead. What appears on the runway trickles down into streetwear, office attire, casual looks — essentially, every way we express ourselves through clothing. In fashion capitals like New York, Paris, and even Lagos, the impact of these shows extends far beyond the venue, influencing retail shelves, social media feeds, and even the way we see and wear fashion in our everyday lives.
The major thing to remember, though, is that beneath all the extravagance, the fashion industry is a serious business engine. Buyers, editors, influencers, and brand strategists converge not just to admire creativity, but to spot trends for their own businesses, forge collaborations, and close deals. Fashion Week fuels both recognition and economic opportunity, connecting local talent to global markets and turning creativity into commerce.
This is why we can’t get enough of it
Why do we endure the blurred schedules and relentless pace, you might ask? Well, it is because Fashion Week is the ultimate defining moment for culture. We love it for celebrating the human drive to create something beautiful from nothing. It’s the thrill of seeing a designer’s vision come to life, the excitement of discovering trends before anyone else, and the connection it fosters between creators, buyers, and audiences worldwide.
We love it because dreaming becomes a collective experience. The gruelling logistics — the sleepless nights and frantic backstage sets transform into pure art. Whether it’s the prestige of a hand-stitched couture gown or the bold energy of a Nigerian designer, Fashion Week reminds us that clothes carry our history and tell the world who we are.
Ultimately, what makes Fashion Week so irresistible is that it is about far more than clothes on a runway. It is a living expression of creativity, culture, and possibility. For those of us who live and breathe fashion, there is something deeply magnetic about a week where imagination takes centre stage — one that leaves us inspired, energised, and perpetually in love with the craft.
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