Tokyo’s eccentric approach to streetwear has long inspired numerous brands, designers, and stylists worldwide – not least of all BAPE, WTAPS, and fragment design, which all made their names here.
NYC was the epicenter of hip-hop culture and streetwear. Home to influential brands like Supreme, ALIFE, Nasir Bazhar, and J.W Anderson that take a stand on culture, race, and gender – NYC tops our top 10.
New York
New York City is an incredible place, full of experiences from gazing upon historic architecture such as the Flatiron Building to feeling the grass under your feet (and inhaling roasted nuts!) in Central Park. And then there are always art museums such as MoMA and Frick; they never cease surprising visitors with something new! Nothing stays the same for long in such an ever-evolving metropolis like NYC!
New York is a fashion hub. New York Fashion Week occurs twice annually and sets trends worldwide. Top designers show their support by buying from local manufacturers and ateliers through Made in NY labels.
New York boasts one of the world’s largest fashion talent pools, and fashion is at the core of its culture in this vibrant metropolis that prides itself on pushing the boundaries of industry and commerce. Style has always been integral to City That Never Sleeps’ identity, from iconic stores to designers and models, providing something new each time someone visits its shores.
London
London is one of the world’s premier fashion centers, boasting centuries-old traditions of style and clothing that date back to its aristocratic past. Renowned tailoring shops and shoemakers flourish here; London also influences global trends through tailoring and shoemaking services and has inspired global trends for centuries. London offers something for every fashion enthusiast, from its mega high streets to markets and iconic department stores; plus, it is home to creative designers with top universities offering courses in design.
From Nensi Dojaka’s daringly exposed pieces to Aadnevik’s provocatively high slits, this year’s London Fashion Week (LFW) was bold, brilliant, and breathtaking. Fashion lovers in Britain love fashion; its unique style mixes American and European influences while adding some distinctive details; this country also loves vintage styles from its colorful fashion past!
London Fashion Week first took place in 1984 and has since evolved into one of the premier global fashion events. Attracting international audiences and featuring some of the newest talents in the industry, this showcase provides an ideal platform to show the best British design and innovation and give emerging stars their start in their respective fields.
London stands out as a fashion capital because its distinctive sartorial tradition sets it apart. While Paris and Milan boast exquisite cultural beauty, luxury labels, and urban impact, respectively, London is an irreplaceable fashion hub.
London may not boast as long of an established fashion reputation as other cities, yet its fashion scene continues to develop and mature. Thanks to its distinctive culture and international recognition, London is at the epicenter of global fashion culture, drawing in both emerging designers and fashion enthusiasts worldwide. London Fashion Week provides a window into this dynamic creative environment – be it an in-person ticket or watching from far – while regardless of current industry conditions, London’s status as the global capital of style will endure for years – particularly as more countries emerge as international players themselves!
Milan
Milan is one of the three global fashion cities; alongside Paris, London, and New York, it hosts Milan Fashion Week twice annually and houses several top luxury brands. But Milan is also famed for its boutiques, street fashion edginess, and glamorous shopping districts, not forgetting Istituto Marangoni (also present in London and Paris) and Accademia Koeffaghi fashion schools that specialize in teaching fashion design.
Traveling without a plan or itinerary is always exciting, often leading to discoveries you would have never experienced otherwise. Unfortunately, such spontaneity can sometimes have negative implications regarding sightseeing and shopping activities.
Plan out some must-sees in advance so you don’t miss any of Milan’s most incredible gems, such as the Duomo di Milano Cathedral. This iconic structure will amaze and mesmerize visitors; don’t leave without visiting it and taking plenty of pictures here.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a four-story arcade designed in the 19th century and home to some of the city’s plentiful designer shops. Be sure to visit Prada’s first store and other notable labels, such as Gucci and Versace!
Milan fashion week saw designers opting for subtlety over flashiness when selecting pieces for Milan Fashion Week collections, choosing practical yet refined pieces rather than eye-catching or excessive. Max Mara found inspiration in Emilie du Chatelet – a French natural philosopher and mathematician – who inspired creating pieces both eye-catching and subtlety elegant in his collection of clothing for him.
Designers to visit when in Milan include Giorgio Armani, Valentino Garavani, Dolce and Gabbana, and Moschino. Also, visit Santa Maria delle Grazie Church to admire Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting at Santa Maria delle Grazie; finally, don’t leave Milan without sampling some exquisite Italian cuisine!
Paris
Paris has long been considered the fashion capital of the world. As its origin of haute couture (the highest level of custom dressmaking) and fashion magazines can vouch, Paris also hosts many eminent fashion schools as well as world-renowned houses and ateliers – including Yves Saint Laurent Museum – offering unique experiences for its visitors. Plus, it hosts Fashion Week twice each year.
In contrast with New York Fashion Week, which caters to industry professionals and insiders, Paris Fashion Week attracts more sophisticated audiences. Top fashion houses showcase their collections here while celebrities, models, and politicians turn up to watch.
Even when not attending one of its shows, Paris offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Visit the legendary Champs-Elysees with its many luxury boutiques, or stop by Galeries Lafayette, an enormous mall filled with designer shops. Merci is another unique shop that sells both new and vintage products made by local designers – it sells everything from brand-new clothing items to clothing they designed!
Pigalle offers a more relaxed shopping experience. Here, you’ll discover trendy yet underground fashion with an edge; some of the hottest boutiques include Colette, Pigalle, and Starcow; plus, there’s Le Bon Marche Printemps L’Eclaireur for clothes for both men and women!
Paris may not enjoy the same global presence as other major fashion cities like New York or London, yet it still maintains a significant place in the fashion world. Paris Fashion Week remains one of the world’s premier events for showcasing fashion at large, and, given that iconic names like Chanel, Hermes, and Dior have long had roots there, it should come as no surprise that Paris remains such an influential fashion hub.