History of Fashion show in Timeline

Fashion shows are events where designers present their upcoming clothing and accessory lines, typically during seasonal fashion weeks like spring/summer and fall/winter. These events are crucial for designers to promote their latest creations. The "Big 4" fashion weeks, highly influential in the industry, are held in New York City, London, Milan, and Paris, in that order. Berlin also hosts a globally significant fashion week.

1903: First American Fashion Show

The first American fashion show likely took place in 1903 at the Ehrlich Brothers store in New York City.

1910: Department Store Runway Shows

By 1910, department stores like Wanamaker's in Manhattan and Philadelphia started staging fashion shows to showcase couture gowns from Paris and their copies. This was done to demonstrate good taste and attract female shoppers.

1918: Fixed Dates for Runway Shows

In 1918, fashion houses established fixed dates for runway shows twice a year, to plan and promote their lines to foreign buyers.

1993: Centralized New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park

Due to safety concerns arising from shows held in small venues, New York Fashion Week shows were centralized in Bryant Park in late 1993.

2010: First Live Streamed Fashion Week

London Fashion Week became the first to offer live streaming of its shows in 2010, increasing accessibility for a wider audience.

2014: Ralph Lauren's Water-Screen Projection Show

During New York Fashion Week in 2014, Ralph Lauren presented his new Polo line for Spring 2015 using a water-screen projection in Central Park.

2015: Launch of Ralph Lauren's Polo Line

Ralph Lauren's Polo line for Spring 2015, which was presented through a water-screen projection in Central Park the previous year, was likely released around this time.

2016: Chanel's Airport-Themed Runway Show

During Paris Fashion Week in 2016, Chanel created an elaborate airport-themed runway show, with the set designed like an airport and models walking around like passengers.