Weekly fashion agenda: haute couture week kicks off in Paris

(AFP/François Guillot)

France's maîtres -- Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier -- and Italy's maestros -- Valentino, Giorgio Armani -- will once again showcase their otherworldy creations when the haute couture shows take place in Paris January 25-27.

France's maîtres - Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier - and Italy's maestros - Valentino, Giorgio Armani - will once again showcase their otherworldy creations when the haute couture shows take place in Paris January 25-27.

Haute Couture
January 25-28
Paris, France

The world's leading haute couture week, which had been reserved for dramatic fashion shows presenting out-of-this-world creations by designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, or Chanel, will for the first time include jewelry presentations by some of the field's most prestigious brands such as Boucheron, Cartier, Chaumet, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

http://www.modeaparis.com

Modefabriek
January 24 & 25
Amsterdam, Netherlands

600 national and international designers will gather for the fair's 28th edition that will again present the most cutting-edge design in urban and avant-garde fashion.

http://www.modefabriek.nl

The Brandery
January 27 - 29
Barcelona, Spain

The Spanish city, which is considered one of the epicenters of urban and alternative fashion, suffered when Bread & Butter relocated back to its home town Berlin last year. The Brandery attempts to fill that void.

http://thebrandery.com

Dubai Shopping Festival
January 28 - February 28
Dubai, UAE

Having developed into a "major retailing and entertainment extravaganza," according to its organizers, the festival is about more than just shopping: promotional events, also for kids, are held around the city, while Dubai presents itself in a "carnival atmosphere."

http://www.mydsf.com

New York Fashion Week
February 11 - 18
New York/US

The event kicks off the women's ready-to-wear season in the four fashion capitals (the other three being London, Milan, and Paris), the most important time in the fashion half-year. Designers including Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang, and Calvin Klein will showcase their collections, Jeremy Scott returns from London, and Peter Jensen will make his New York debut.

http://www.mbfashionweek.com/newyork