Four Cities, Four Icons of Style

Twice a year, the fashion world packs its bags and embarks on one of the most glamorous journeys in the calendar.

From New York to London, Milan and Paris, Fashion Month transforms four iconic cities into a showcase of creativity, style and culture. While the runways may be reserved for designers, buyers and editors, the atmosphere spills out onto the streets, into the city’s best restaurants, luxury hotels and designer boutiques.

For travellers with a love of fashion, September is one of the most exciting times to experience these destinations. Whether you’re planning your trip around the shows or simply want to soak up the atmosphere, here’s where we’d stay, dine and shop in each city.

New York, 9 – 14 September

The fashion calendar begins in Manhattan, where creativity, confidence and effortless style set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Stay

The Mark Hotel – Perfectly positioned on the Upper East Side, The Mark has long been a favourite during Fashion Week. Designers, editors and celebrities regularly call it home, thanks to its timeless interiors, exceptional service and location just moments from Central Park and Madison Avenue.

Dine

Fashion insiders are often spotted at The Polo Bar, Caviar Kaspia at The Mark and The Grill, while Sant Ambroeus remains a classic for breakfast meetings and people watching.

Shop

Start on Madison Avenue, where heritage luxury houses sit alongside independent designers, before heading to SoHo for contemporary fashion, concept stores and emerging labels. For those who prefer everything under one roof, Bergdorf Goodman remains one of the world’s most iconic department stores.

London, 17 – 21 September

London Fashion Week has always done things differently. It’s where heritage tailoring meets cutting-edge design, and where you’ll discover emerging designers just as easily as globally recognised fashion houses.

Stay

Claridge’s – Few hotels are as closely associated with London’s fashion scene as Claridge’s. An enduring favourite with designers, editors and celebrities, this Mayfair icon combines timeless Art Deco elegance with impeccable service. Bond Street, Mount Street and the boutiques of Mayfair are all just a short stroll away, making it the perfect base for a luxury Fashion Week escape.

Dine

Reserve a table at Scott’s in Mayfair, enjoy modern Italian cuisine at Daphne’s in Chelsea or experience the theatre of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, all long-time favourites with London’s fashion crowd.

Shop

No shopping itinerary is complete without Bond Street, Mount Street and Sloane Street, home to many of the world’s leading luxury brands. For something a little different, spend an afternoon exploring the independent boutiques of Marylebone or Notting Hill.

Milan 22 – 28 September

If fashion has a spiritual home, many would argue it’s Milan. Elegant, refined and effortlessly stylish, the city comes alive during Fashion Week as international buyers, designers and editors gather in Italy’s fashion capital.

Stay

Bvlgari Hotel Milano – Hidden beside the peaceful Botanical Gardens in the Brera district, Bvlgari Hotel Milano feels like a private retreat in the centre of the city. Contemporary Italian design, beautiful gardens and impeccable service have made it one of Milan’s most sought-after luxury hotels.

Dine

Fashion Week favourites include Langosteria, Cracco in Galleria and Paper Moon, where long lunches often stretch well into the afternoon.

Shop

The Quadrilatero della Moda, home to Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant’Andrea, is one of the most prestigious shopping districts in the world. From Bvlgari and Prada to Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana, every street feels like a luxury showcase.

Paris 28 September – 6 October

Fashion Month concludes where haute couture has always felt most at home. Paris Fashion Week brings together the world’s biggest fashion houses, but beyond the catwalks it’s the city’s cafés, museums and elegant boulevards that make every visit unforgettable.

Stay

Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Perfectly positioned on Avenue Montaigne, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has been at the heart of Parisian fashion for generations. Home to one of the city’s most recognisable façades, with its signature red awnings and flower-filled balconies, the hotel is surrounded by the flagship boutiques of Dior, Chanel, Valentino and Louis Vuitton. Elegant, timeless and unmistakably Parisian, it’s the perfect base for experiencing the city during Fashion Week.

Dine

Book a table at L’Avenue, a favourite with the fashion industry for decades, enjoy lunch at Le Relais Plaza, or experience the elegance of Girafe, where views of the Eiffel Tower are as memorable as the food.

Shop

Begin on Avenue Montaigne, continue along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and finish at Le Bon Marché, where luxury fashion, beauty and homeware come together under one iconic Parisian roof.

More than just fashion

Fashion Month may be the inspiration, but each of these cities has so much more to offer like a morning spent shopping can lead to an afternoon in a world-class gallery. A reservation at one of the city’s most sought-after restaurants can become the highlight of your trip, while simply wandering through neighbourhoods filled with beautiful architecture and independent boutiques is often where the best discoveries are made.

Whether you’re travelling for the shows, celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an excuse to experience four of the world’s most stylish cities, September is the perfect time to do it.