Fashion Week by private jet: the logistics of fashion

The four major fashion weeks

The international fashion calendar revolves around four capitals, in an order that has been stable for decades: New York opens the circuit, followed by London, Milan and then Paris, which closes it. Each city has its organising body, responsible for the official show calendar.

When do the fashion weeks take place?

Womenswear ready-to-wear is held twice a year: the Spring/Summer collections are shown in September and early October, the Autumn/Winter collections in February and March. Each time, the circuit spans about four weeks, the four cities following one another without interruption in the same order.

To this calendar are added the menswear weeks, in January and June, as well as Haute Couture, unique to Paris, in January and July. This close succession explains why teams spend much of the season on the move, often from one city to the next overnight.

Intense logistics for houses and agencies

During the show season, it is not only guests who travel, but entire teams: models booked across several cities, stylists, hair and make-up artists, creative directors, press officers, photographers and VIP clients. Added to this is the transport of the collections themselves, valuable, fragile pieces that are expected at a precise time.

The calendar leaves little margin: a late show in Milan can come before a fitting the next morning in Paris. Scheduled flights rarely match this pace, and the slightest change of casting or programme calls for flexibility. Group charter makes it possible to move a whole team on a single aircraft, on its own timing, and to rework the trip at short notice. It is precisely the kind of complex movement our teams coordinate, from the flight to the ground transfers.

The business-aviation airports of the fashion capitals

Each fashion capital has airports dedicated to business aviation, closer to the centre and far quicker to clear than commercial terminals. This is a decisive advantage when every hour counts. The table below sums up the main options.

The business-aviation terminal, or FBO, allows quick boarding and arrival, away from the public, which preserves the discretion of both talent and as-yet-unreleased collections.

Chaining the shows by private jet

The value of the private jet is clearest over the full circuit. A single aircraft can link the four capitals in a few days, following the order of the shows, and reposition the team and the collections as close as possible to the calendar. Where a string of scheduled flights would multiply constraints, charter offers controlled continuity from one city to the next.

The choice of aircraft depends on the size of the team and the distances: a midsize aircraft for the European hops between London, Milan and Paris, a heavy or ultra-long-range jet to include the transatlantic leg with New York. You can discover all the aircraft in our aircraft fleet, and prepare the European stages with our Paris by private jet and London by private jet pages.

IBC Aviation, a logistics partner for fashion weeks

As an independent broker, IBC Aviation compares the aircraft available on the market and arranges the entire trip: the flight, the choice of airports, the ground transfers and the coordination of each stage. This experience of working with fashion houses and agencies helps anticipate the surprises specific to the show season and keep to demanding schedules. To discover our approach, see our private jet charter page and our concierge services.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the aircraft best suited to your itinerary and your needs, and organise the logistics of your teams during Fashion Week. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

What are the four major fashion weeks?

New York, London, Milan and Paris form the "Big Four" circuit, in that order. Paris closes the show season.

When do the fashion weeks take place?

Womenswear ready-to-wear is held twice a year: the Spring/Summer collections in September and early October, the Autumn/Winter collections in February and March. To this are added the menswear weeks, in January and June, and Haute Couture in Paris, in January and July.

Which airport for Paris Fashion Week by private jet?

Paris-Le Bourget (LBG), about 11 km from the centre, is Europe's main business-aviation airport and the preferred arrival point for Paris Fashion Week.

Which business-aviation airports for New York, London and Milan?

New York: Teterboro (TEB). Milan: Linate (LIN), via its Milano Prime terminal. London: Farnborough (FAB), Luton (LTN) or Biggin Hill (BQH), depending on the final destination.

How do you organise team travel during fashion week?

Group charter brings the whole team together on a single aircraft, on its own timing, with a multi-city itinerary, the repositioning of collections and last-minute flexibility. Our teams coordinate every stage.

Can you chain New York, London, Milan and Paris by private jet?

Yes. A single jet can link the four capitals in a few days, following the order of the circuit, which scheduled flights can hardly manage on such a tight calendar.