Upbeat music in the background, a model struts down the runway, heels clicking with every step. Attendees are quiet, their phones in place of their eyes as they furiously try to get each look from all angles. The audience is often sat in close proximity, able to hear the breath of the person next to them. It is an experience of a lifetime for an ordinary intern, but just another annual event for celebrities who decorate the invite lists. It is Fashion Week in all its glory.
The practice of Fashion Week has existed since 1943, when it was first referred to as “Press Week.” Amidst the tensions of World War II, the American fashion industry put on the show in New York as a way to show the world what they had to offer. This has evolved over the past 83 years into a biannual event where brands and designers display what is to fill their shelves in the upcoming seasons. The most prominent shows are held in New York, London, and Milan, with Paris closing the month-long affair.
Often occurring before the Women’s Ready to Wear shows is Couture Week. These separate displays are exclusive to Paris, however, as they exhibit haute couture, translating in English to “high dressmaking” from French.
Haute couture itself is the practice of creating one of a kind and custom fit garments. They are produced by hand and often include intricate detailing that takes hours of labor and refined technique. First set in 1945, two years after “Press Week,” the label Haute Couture became legally protected. Now it can be used only by brands approved by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, based in Paris – the home of Haute Couture.
The most notable part of Fashion Week is not the chart-topping artists, nor the influencers who snap Instagram worthy pictures. It is the trends that are reflected in each show. At the Autumn/Winter shows at the start of the year, and the Spring/Summer shows at the end of the year, trends are depicted through the patterns observed on the runways.
Though shows can influence the year’s trends, with Zuhair Murad pioneering the combination of cinched waits with softer palettes and Loewe blending unique colors with everyday pieces, trends are often driven by other factors. This can include popular media, the economy, and even the political climate.
The fashion industry does play a role in determining trends for each season. Many brands work with trend forecasting agencies to project future colors, patterns, and silhouettes based on what was well-received in previous years.
Pantone, for instance, publishes a “color of the year,” predicting the hue that will dominate not only the fashion industry, but also in other sectors like marketing and graphic design. Pantone has shown itself as a reliable source from past accurate predictions, leading many designers to heed the recommendation when creating their collections.
For students interested in high fashion, Skyline’s Fashion Design and Merchandising class covers topics like trends while also teaching more hands-on design skills such as figure drawing and sewing.
Ms. Lutz, who has taught the class for four years, shared the trends that have been evident at our high school. She notes the predominance of UGGs, sweatpants, and hoodies, as students prefer what is easiest to grab. When putting together an outfit, she said, people often think either, “I’m just going to fit in…, I want to put some effort into what I’m wearing, or be creative.” Trends are frequently decided by simpler factors like comfort and conformity.
Trevelyn E., a junior at Skyline who has created a distinctive style for herself, expressed a similar sentiment. “Maybe seeing more color instead of basic stuff and more unique pieces would be nice,” she said.
Regardless of whether the industry will collectively explore brighter colors and different textures to move away from the monotony frustrating critics across the globe, fashion and trends are constantly changing. While it cannot be certain for what is to come, expect influences from not only leading brands and designers, but also the various cultures and societies that dictate what people choose to throw on in the morning.
For more information & photos:
How Do Fashion Trends Start
Haute Couture – Everything you Need to Know Under 10 Minutes Zuhair Murad Spring 2026 Couture
Loewe Spring 2026 Ready to Wear Collection
See all the most spectacular moments from the spring 2026 Haute Couture shows
