While many see Paris as the culmination of the “big four” fashion week cycle, starting in New York in early September, moving on to London and Milan and ending in Paris at the end of September, other cities are just getting started.
Taipei Fashion Week officially opened on Wednesday, October 11th and will run until October 19th. Los Angeles has revived its fashion week under new ownership and will hold its own event with its own formats from October 18th to 22nd.
The debate over the expansion of international fashion weeks is often met with snobbery in the West, but the multitude of fashion weeks throughout the year is a logical consequence of seasonal cycles, new global fashion capitals, regional specialization, market dynamics and the constant need for support and innovation the industry.
Key cities such as Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai in particular play a central role for European fashion houses as their markets are crucial to the luxury goods industry’s profits. Additionally, these fashion weeks contribute to the growth of the local fashion scene and allow emerging designers to gain recognition.
Taipei Fashion Week
Taipei Fashion Week started on Wednesday and runs until October 19th. This event will feature homegrown brands including 67Arrow, ANoWhereMan, Just In XX and Plateau Studio. The focus is on the burgeoning streetwear scene, with a focus on innovative design, cultural diversity and the creativity of the young generation. Despite the limited presence of international buyers and editors, local designers use this platform to attract attention and showcase their work.
Los Angeles Fashion Week
Los Angeles Fashion Week runs October 18-22, and while it doesn’t have a large international buyer presence, it does offer homegrown brands an opportunity to expand in the United States. California is a major manufacturing hub, particularly in categories such as denim and jersey. Los Angeles is also the global center of the entertainment industry, and hosting events in LA offers luxury brands the opportunity to connect with high-profile personalities who can dress in, endorse and promote their brand’s fashion.
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk. Translated and edited by Simone Preuss.