Fashion Week looks oh so fabulous from a distance, but for working models, its behind-the-scenes reality is a whirlwind of long hours and high stakes. Grasping what actually happens during the ‘Big Four’ (New York, London, Milan, and Paris) gives aspiring models a true sense of what it takes to make it in high fashion.
The Fashion Week Circuit – A 4-City, 1-Month Marathon
The Big Four come and go twice a year in a set order. In Feb/March they show off their Fall/Winter collections, with New York kicking things off, followed by London, then Milan and Paris closing out. In Sept/Oct, it’s the Spring/Summer collections, in exactly the same order. Each city’s fashion show lasts for about a week which means top models are burning the midnight oil for a whole month, working all four cities back-to-back.
The Pre-Show Juggernaut – Castings
A week or two before the shows start, casting directors sort through models and designers alike. They send models in to try on samples and strut their stuff in front of each designer. Between castings models are zipping from venue to venue, sometimes to 10 or 15 venues or more per day. Agents give them their schedules the night before and then its off to negotiate the public transport system, or get a last-minute ride, all to make those castings on time. Each individual audition can last anywhere from a quick 5 minutes to half an hour. And, when you’ve got dozens, not to mention potentially dozens of designers, you start to get the real picture. A whole lot of fatigue is about to kick in.
Show Day – A Right Old Knees Up
Once a model’s booked onto a show, they’ll arrive at the venue about 2 to 4 hours before the main event for fittings. Then, rehearsals and to get their hair and makeup done just right. For some of this time they will be sitting still as a statue. This can sometimes be both a blessing or a curse. You’re either resting or you’re poring over your route to the catwalk. When it comes to the actual show, you’re only on the catwalk for about 30 to 90 seconds. But, you might be booked for multiple shows a day meaning that every minute counts.
Models in the Numbers Game
Models who make it big during Fashion Week might:
- do about 50-100 castings in one week
- get on about 5 or 20 shows (if you’re a supermodel that can be 30 or 40 shows even)
- earn $1,000 to $20,000+ per show, the earnings really can vary wildly
- put in 14-18 hour days 7 days a week
- dashing off to New York, London, Milan, and Paris for a couple of seasons
Model Life – The Waiting Game
Its not all glamour. Between castings, fittings, and shows, models spend loads of time just waiting. They’re waiting in line, waiting in hair & makeup chairs, and queuing up for a bite to eat. Transport to and from venues is also on their heads. Sometimes craft services can be a real treat, but more often than not it just means sandwiches and a flask of coffee. And, then of course, there’s the social media aspect. Because right now, it’s part and parcel of the business to keep those Instagram accounts ticking over and garnering attention.
The Fashion Week Angle
Fashion Week isn’t just about the catwalk. Models get booked:
- to pose in designer showrooms
- for fashion parties
- for magazine editorial shoots
- for ad campaigns
This is the epicenter of their profession and its a testing ground for models everywhere. If they can hack it, they’ll have a very real shot at making a career for themselves. All that’s required is a blend of endurance, common sense, and being able to look their absolute best, every single day.
Upcoming Fashion Week Dates
Fall/Winter 2025
- New York: 6-11 Feb 2025
- London: 13-17 Feb 2025
- Milan: 18-24 Feb 2025
- Paris: 24 Feb – 4 Mar 2025
Spring Summer 2026
- New York: 5-10 Sep 2025
- London: 12-16 Sep 2025
- Milan: 17-23 Sep 2025
- Paris: 23 Sep – 1 Oct 2025
Fall/Winter 2026
- New York: 5-10 Feb 2026
- London: 12-16 Feb 2026
- Milan: 17-23 Feb 2026
- Paris: 23 Feb – 3 Mar 2026
Note: Dates are subject to change. Keep an eye on official the fashion week websites for updates & schedules.
The Official Fashion Week Websites for the Big Four:
New York Fashion Week:
– CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America): https://cfda.com
– NYFW Official: https://nyfw.com
London Fashion Week:
– British Fashion Council: https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
– London Fashion Week Official: https://londonfashionweek.co.uk
Milan Fashion Week:
– Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana: https://www.cameramoda.it
Paris Fashion Week:
– Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode: https://fhcm.paris
– Paris Fashion Week Official: https://parisfashionweek.fhcm.paris
Additional Resources for Fashion Week Schedules:
Global Fashion Week Calendars:
– Fashion Week Online: https://fashionweekonline.com
– Vogue Runway (comprehensive show schedules): https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows
These official sites provide the most reliable information about dates, designer show schedules, venue information, and any changes to the fashion week calendar. The governing fashion bodies (CFDA, BFC, Camera Moda, and FHCM) are the authoritative sources for their respective fashion weeks.
