We all know the big fashion weeks- New York, Paris, Milan, and London- that arguably control the trends and looks we will see for their respective seasons. But these alternative fashion weeks have us excited for the upcoming seasons and maybe the pinnacle of fashion in a few short years, already overwhelmingly affecting media and trend cycles in fashion. Here are the weeks you should be watching out for:
Australia Fashion Week
Being their biggest global fashion platform, Australia Fashion Week is held annually in Sydney each May. Australian Fashion Week always brings together the biggest names in fashion "alongside fashion's most passionate consumers to launch cultural conversations, products, content, and trends that continue all year long."
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Australia Fashion Week, Getty
The five-day event will house 33,000 guests from all across the fashion industry. AFW has shown time and time again that its designs have a lasting impact and shape trends that continue throughout the year. They have published reports that prove how much AFW's events helped small businesses and designers grow as they continue to celebrate the designer's individuality. As Australia's most prominent international fashion event, they will have an impact on this and next year's fashion and just might be something to look out for.
Copenhagen Fashion Week
Copenhagen Fashion Week happens biannually in January/February and August, and they welcome so much international press, industry leaders, and unique installations to their shows. In 2023, CFW kicked off its shows with Ganni, Latimmier, and Stamm. CPHFW's Fall/Winter 2024 season will take place January 29-February 2, 2024, which is only a few short weeks away, so watch out for special events and showcases.
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Cecilie Bahnsen at Copenhagen fashion week. Photograph: Publicity Image
As of 2020, Copenhagen Fashion Week released its Sustainability Action Plan, one of which is set to cause long-term change in the fashion industry. This plan has made CFW stand out compared to other fashion weeks and requires brands who are showcased in CFW to follow a set of standards while also meeting certain requirements. These requirements include policies like refraining from destroying unused/unsold clothing, finding second lives for samples, following their preferred materials list, being conscientious of working and production conditions, educating people further on sustainability through fashion, and making things like their sets and show production zero-waste.
Seoul Fashion Week
This February and October, Seoul Fashion Week will continue to aim for the stars as they are operating strategically to become one of the most prominent fashion weeks in the world. SFW solely focuses on top-tier Korean designers and remains one of their most notable fashion events of the year. As well as their influential and ever-growing shows, their new project, "Generation Next," helps foster up-and-coming designers, and their guidelines for the project consist of restricting their designers to one independent fashion brand. Presented in new and innovative ways, the project is a way to pave a path for up-and-coming designers, also known as Generation Next.
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Justin Shin Getty Images
Vancouver Fashion Week
Taking place this year from April 23-28, Vancouver Fashion Week has always showcased the best of the best Canadian and international designers. All designers have a place on this runway, from emerging labels to well-established brands. VFW takes pride in inclusion, actively trying to expand the beauty standards of the fashion industry and runway shows. Vancouver is aiming for a multicultural approach, trying to achieve success through expanding their global perspective in fashion. Their designers for the upcoming season are showcased on their website and numerous social media platforms. They have come a long way since their days as an International Fashion Week and have made an ongoing mission to keep Vancouver on the radar of fashion.
By Ani Grigsby
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