Fashion Week is to models what the Olympics are to athletes. It's an opportunity for them to showcase their talent, travel the world, and make a name for themselves. In most cases, it takes months or even years of preparation and hard work to reach the ultimate moment of the global stage.

For everyone involved, whether it's models, designers, show producers, model agents, makeup artists, stylists, photographers, magazine editors, buyers, and even musicians, Fashion Week is often a hectic and exciting time with little sleep. But the frenzy doesn't just start at the runways; it begins months in advance when models attend castings, fittings, and rehearsals.

What, When, and Where
Fashion Week takes place twice a year in each of the four major fashion capitals of the world: New York, London, Milan, and Paris, respectively. During each Fashion Week, countless runway shows featuring iconic or up-and-coming designers are held.

It all began with New York Fashion Week in 1943, followed by Paris in 1945, Milan in 1958, and finally London Fashion Week, established in 1994. Although other major cities have their own fashion weeks, these four cities are considered the "big four" in the fashion world, attracting the most attention and crowds of top celebrities.

In February and March, Fashion Week showcases the styles of upcoming fall/winter collections. In September and October, it's the shows for the spring/summer collections of the following year. Presenting the shows so far in advance gives buyers the opportunity to plan and purchase upcoming seasons and provides fashion journalists with insights into new trends.

From Backstage to the Runway
Before each show, models participate in final fittings with stylists, who decide what they will wear and how they will present the collection. Once the outfits are selected and adjusted, they are hung on a rack, usually with a photo of the model and any special instructions. Designers may also attach a "surprise bag" to each rack, including items like underwear, makeup remover, razors, deodorant, and other hygiene products, just in case the model forgot to bring some essential items.

Shows take place at all hours of the day and night, so many models start working before sunrise and finish well after sunset. There are call times for hair and makeup, and extravagant after-parties are typically organized for models to attend, crucial for networking in the world of modeling and fashion.

Since most models walk the runway multiple times a day during the week, there's always a frantic race to arrive on time for each show. If one show runs late, it can cause chaos for all the subsequent shows scheduled. Models often get very little sleep and only have time to eat and chat with their agents while en route to the next show.

To be a model, you must always be in top shape, which isn't easy when you're not getting much sleep, hence the importance of a healthy diet and proper hydration. Fortunately, models have access to some of the world's best hairdressers and makeup artists, who also work long hours to help them be at their best.

Although most people only see the glittering part of Fashion Weeks, hours and hours of work by hundreds of people are required for each show, even if it only lasts a few minutes. Fashion and modeling are undoubtedly exciting industries but also demand a lot of work, preparation, and dedication.