The time that we’ve all been biting our nails for has finally arrived. The Council Designers of America (CFDA) has released the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) schedule for this season. This includes the dates, times, and specific designers who are set to showcase their work! If you’re unfamiliar with how Fashion Weeks work, or are someone who just wants to brush up on your fashion knowledge, then this is the guide for you!
New York Fashion Week Calendar for FW 2025 / Made by the CFDA
Capitals aren’t just for letters
While in theory there can be a fashion week anywhere and everywhere, there are certain cities in the world that fashion fanatics worldwide keep their eyes on. These are the cities that set the standard for trends and have an abundantly rich history in heritage, innovation, and overall creation. The cities are New York, Paris, Milan, and London. There are other cities that have entered the conversation including Coppenhagen, Tokyo, and Seoul. For the sake of continuity, we will be using New York’s fashion week to fully explain the ins and outs of the exciting week and what you should expect.
Autumn is in Spring and Spring is in Fall
When dating collections, you may happen to see acronyms such as FW2025 or SS1998. These hold a significance not only with differentiating which is which but also establishing what season it’s meant for and even when they were showcased. AW or FW stands for Autumn/Winter or Fall/Winter. These are all garments that are meant to be worn in these seasons. They are typically shown anywhere between January and March of that year. Although it seems early, this is done to give enough time for the garments to go into production after showcasing.
As much as the designing and creation takes time, the commercial side needs just as much patience in order to reach sales goals. Remember, this is still a business. SS stands for Spring/Summer and they are showcased anywhere between September and November of the year prior. When someone is talking about Dior’s SS2019 collection, they’re referring to the Spring/Summer collection that is available for purchase in 2019 but was showcased in October of 2018.
Tuning In
There are so many ways for you to watch shows. Shows listed on the official fashion calendar all require invites, which is difficult to get if you’re not rich or important. Or both. While bigger brands like Collina Strada and Laquan Smith are out of reach for the average Joe, there are tons of smaller shows in New York that people can buy tickets for. Runway productions such as Runway7 and Rise Fashion Events are just a couple of examples of ways to be able to find your way to in-person shows. Tickets can be a bit pricey but it is definitely worth the investment!
If that’s not possible for you, don’t fret! Most brands livestream and record their shows to later posted on their websites and YouTube. If you’re someone who wants to watch things as they happen, make sure to follow the brand on their Instagrams and tune in at their scheduled time. If you’re early to the livestream, you might be able to see what invited guests are wearing too!
Being one with the fabrics
How can someone be part of the shows? To work smaller shows, there are numerous ways to go about it. Runway production agencies are always looking for volunteers. They have application forms that you can fill out on their websites under their ‘Volunteer’ tab. Be sure to do it early because spots fill up fast! Another method is being vigilant on Instagram. Brands sometimes post open call outs on their stories asking people to help out for their production. Be sure to have a resume ready if you have.In this case, also be sure to have your Instagram profile on public mode. Upnextdesigner on Instagram has a community group chat that shares fashion opportunities that pop up both on and off the fashion season.
Fashion week is like a second Christmas for fashion lovers. It is a time to celebrate all the hard work that designers put into collections every six months. It is truly an art not only to generate new ideas but also bringing them a life in such a short time frame. Make sure to tune in and let us know in the comments who you’re excited to see this season! Enjoy!
Contributing Editor: Divina Boko