Top Fashion Week breaks
The launch of Fashion Week is once again upon us with the first shows hitting the runways in New York on 9 February to showcase this year’s Fall / Winter collections. Cheapflights.co.uk makes its own top picks for long weekends away in some of the world’s most stylish destinations.
“Fashion Week isn’t just about the shows themselves; the destinations where they’re held tend to be buzzing during that week with increased activity and more touristic attractions than usual,” says Nadine Hallak, travel expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.
While London hosts one of the world’s most prominent Fashion Weeks, travellers should take the opportunity to grab a quick escape and see how some of world’s other stylish destinations do it.
New York is always first to kick off the global calendar of the world’s most notable Fashion Weeks. This year’s Fall / Winter shows in the Big Apple will run from 9 to 16 February. opening with a spectacular show starting the afternoon of 9 February known as Fame and Music Unite Rocks Fashion Week. This is where up and coming designers and musical artists showcase their talents in a spectacular show where style meets entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online through TicketLeap and start from £51. Other events include a Pop-Up Art Event Celebrating Beauty-Art Fashion also on 9 February and the Small Boutique Fashion Week 2012 Show & Market showcasing handmade goods on 11 February. Flights to New York during February start from £229 return.
Paris Fashion Week takes place from 28 February to 7 March. Here is the true home of haute couture. Those lucky enough to be invited can witness heavyweights such as the houses of Chanel and Valentino weave their magic across the various runways at the famous Louvre. While non-industry folk are unlikely to either be invited or source tickets some other way, the city is still worth a visit during this time as it glitters even more than usual with the buzz of the fashion world and the arts in general. Its streets turn into a veritable runway of celebrity, and people-watching at its sidewalk cafes is practically a live show in itself. For a guaranteed glimpse of celebrity, head to the bars of Hotel Costes, Mama Shelta's and Pershang Hall. Travellers should also check out the Louvre itself, take a stroll through the streets of St. Germain or simply unwind with a cruise along the Seine. Flights to Paris in February start from £79 return.
Stepping off the beaten track to a lesser known Fashion Weeks is that of Copenhagen, Denmark, which runs from 1 to 5 February. As well as featuring top Danish and international designers, it’s also of great interest for those who enjoy art and culture. Visitors can attend exhibits such as The Designer’s Nest Exhibition on 2 and 4 February, the Henrik Adamson / Fashion Photography on 2 February and the Shoeshibar & APA Presents on 4 February. Copenhagen is a sophisticated, yet down to earth city, with lots to offer the visitor in terms of world class cuisine, culture and of course, beer! Flights to Copenhagen during February start from £98 return.
Staying off the beaten path is another stylish destination - Istanbul, Turkey, where Fashion Week takes place from 8 to 11 February. The event here showcases mostly Turkish designers, many of whom have studied abroad, including designer Asli Guler who spent some time at London's Central St. Martin's, Atil Kutoglu who graduated from Vienna, and Bahar Korcan, who has showcased in New York and Paris. Visitors are exposed to brands they won't find anywhere else while enjoying the wonderful sights Istanbul has to offer, such as Aya Sofia, shopping at the Grand Bazaar or visiting the Dolmabahce Palace. The city also offers some of the best nightlife in the world in districts such as Beyoglu. Flights to Istanbul in February start from £149 return.
Another less mainstream Fashion Week is that of Belgrade, Serbia taking place from 29 March to 7 April, when domestic and some lesser known designers from abroad showcase their creations in a variety of runway events. In a city like Belgrade, attending the shows is not the main focus. Given that it's outside the Euro zone, its rate of conversion and low ground costs make it highly affordable for Brits. It also happens to have one of the world's best up and coming nightlife scenes and like New York, is referred to as a city that never sleeps, making it a great weekend break destination for party lovers. For a mix of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, visitors should try Strahinji?a Bana Street, known as one of the city's fun zones. Culture vultures should head to the Bohemian quarter of Skadarjila, the famous Fortress museum showcasing the city's history and the municipality of Zemun. Flights to Belgrade during April start from £165 return.
To search and compare flights to these or any other destination, visit cheapflights.co.uk.