How To Write A Fashion Runway Review

Fashion weeks always catch the attention of fashion enthusiasts and critics. For those who are unable to attend a fashion show, we rely on runway reviews to discover the latest collections of the designers we love. And maybe reading them has given you the idea to write fashion show reviews yourself as an aspiring writer? 

I’m pretty sure you have read a fashion show review before, so you might be familiar with how they are written. But in case you have no idea what information to include in your review and how to structure it, in this article, Glam Observer explains to you how to write a fashion runway review step by step. 

How To Write A Fashion Runway Review

Provide context

Let’s start with the most important fact: fashion show reviews are never just a mere description of all the looks you see on the runway. They also don’t begin by going straight to the looks. So it’s not about following the chronological order from the 1st look to the last one. Look 1 was this sweater, look 2 was this skirt… and so on. 

Reviews always start from an angle and provide context. It’s about building a story people can relate to, a narrative about how these looks come to life. Why? Because while collections are products of the imagination and creativity of the designer, they don’t happen without any reason. Designers usually have a motive to design a collection in a specific way by selecting the garments, the accessories, the makeup…and everything that surrounds it (the set, the music…) that will convey the idea of the collection. 

As a fashion runway reporter, it is your job to go beyond describing the clothes. You need to talk about the designer’s inspiration and the message they are trying to convey. Ask yourself questions like: what is the designer trying to say? Who is this collection speaking to? What is this collection saying about the world? 

Choose your angle, aka what has been important to you in the show. Keep in mind that a fashion review is generally short, approximately 1 page long, so you won’t be able to cover everything you want to say. Hence you have to choose your angle and what elements to focus on. For example: 

The inspiration for the new collection (can be found in the show notes).

A good recent example is Louis Vuitton’s Resort 2024 runway show which was staged on a small private island called Isola Bella in Italy. The creative director Nicolas Ghesquière said to the press that his reason was because he “always wanted to show in Italy, Italian culture is fascinating and it’s a dream to show here in such an iconic place, very sophisticated, and a little secret.” Also, Dior’s Cruise show took place in Mexico because Christian Dior had a close connection to the country, and Carolina Herrera’s Resort was staged in Brazil because of her Latin American roots. 

What was different compared to previous shows?

Did some major events, the political and economic situation (pandemic, war) have an impact on the set? (we all remember the Balenciaga FW 2022 show that paid homage to the people fleeing war.) Were there any changes in creative directors? 

The history of the brand.

It is impossible to know what the show is about without doing some preliminary research about the brand if you are not familiar with it or simply because you don’t know all the history by heart and want to refresh your memory. You need to be able to cross-cut important dates, moments, and pieces in the history of fashion and the specific brand to provide context and enrich your review. This is important because a collection is usually a mix of the brand’s seasonal codes – a new silhouette, style, etc., and permanent codes that are part of the house’s heritage. 

What the designer is known for.

A critical part of developing a keen eye for a designer’s work is in understanding what they did in the past and where they are going. Some designers will have trademark elements – cuts, silhouettes, shapes…that are unique to their brand and what it stands for. For example – a recognizable pattern, like Gucci’s Supreme GG canvas, Louis Vuitton’s Damier monogram, and Burberry’s Check pattern. Or a signature piece, like Saint Laurent’s Smoking and the Chanel tweed jacket. But then they will reinterpet them according to their own artistic vision. As a fashion writer, you should be knowledgeable about the designer you are watching, and be able to note what fashion traits they are experimenting with season after season. 

References.

It is common to see in a collection references to other designers and former creative directors. Fashion critics and buyers also compare a collection to a designer’s past work to determine whether it offers something creative and refreshing while staying true to the brand’s aesthetic. So put looks into perspective, comparing them to the past collections and other designers. 

Describe the looks

Although, as we said, a review shouldn’t be a description of all the looks in chronological order, you can still mention them. After all, you are writing your fashion review about that specific collection, so feel free to comment about it. What were the standout pieces? What details did you notice in the garments? How were the looks accessorized? 

Pay attention that clothing isn’t all that shapes the look. The hair, nail and makeup worn by models is also something to notice. Designers collaborate with stylists — sometimes for months — to put together beauty looks that complement their collections. In addition, any accessories that you see, like shoes, handbags and jewelry are equally important details of a total look.

Look for common traits. Some seasons, it seems as though designers all draw their collections from the same inspiration pool. When a color, print, theme, or cut keeps popping up collection after collection, there’s a good chance it will turn into a trend. 

To sum up, these are the main elements you should focus on when watching a fashion show so you don’t miss anything.

• The main theme
• The key pieces 
• The opening look
• Main colors and fabrics
• Silhouettes
• Embellishments
• Hair & makeup
• Shoes and accessories
• The models
• The set

Describe the set

In the past, a runway used to be a way to show the new collection to buyers, editors, and the press. Nowadays, it goes beyond a simple presentation of clothes. Brands stage real spectacles, and the location plays an important part in it. It’s a powerful marketing tool to drive as much attention as possible to the brand and stand out from competitors. The more extravagant – the better. 

The location of the runway often has a special meaning to the creative designer and helps to convey the mood of the collection even better. For example, Chanel Cruise 2024 took place in Los Angeles because the collection was built around the theme of Hollywood, and creative director Virginie Viard was inspired by the sports style that is so popular in LA when she visited the city. Valentino’s Fall 2022 Couture show in Rome near the brand’s headquarters was a way to remember where it all started. Another example is when Karl Lagerfeld staged his Chanel Couture Fall 2016 collection inside the French luxury house’s atelier. 

Describe the atmosphere and the mood of the show

If you are lucky to attend a physical fashion show live, describing the energy and unique details of a runway show is your gold ticket to a captivating fashion review. Being one of the relatively few people invited behind the closed doors of Fashion Week makes gives you access to information that someone watching it online – or watching it at all – doesn’t have. This includes things like knowing which VIPs and celebrities were in the front row, what drama happened backstage, and what insiders had to say about the collection right after the runway.

If you cannot attend a fashion show, this won’t probably be the angle of your review, however, you can still find out some information like which celebrities attended it from other publications, if you wish to write about that.

When writing a runway review, some critics write about the inspiration and message behind the collection. Others prefer to focus on the collection itself, as well as the set and the mood if it was spectacular. Possibilities are endless, so choose what angle works best for you.

How to structure your runway review

Editors don’t write whatever comes to their minds from scratch; they follow a specific structure. Similar to an enthralling movie or a good book, a runway review should have a beginning, middle, and end. 

Looks within a collection typically share similar traits, such as color palette, texture, or silhouette, yet they usually evolve as the runway show progresses. Therefore, a solid collection is cohesive in its overall look but builds in drama, from more understated or casual pieces early on to ones with an extra “wow” factor for the finale. Sometimes, a creative backdrop or soundtrack helps set the mood, too. 

Finally, the structure of your fashion report depends on the angle you chose and the number of elements you want to cover. Once you define them, you can set the order in which you will organize your information. 

Write a review asap

Contrary to some other fashion articles which you have more time to write, when it comes to a runway review, timing is key. The deadlines are tight because basically, you don’t want to publish it 3 days later; it will be old news. Your review should be ready asap after the show ends. Editors usually publish them within a few hours to deliver fresh news to their readers. 

That’s why it’s better to do your research before a fashion show (research the brand, interview PR managers or designers, etc.) so you build a foundation for your article, and then add the last details when you actually see the looks and the location.

What can help you to write a runway review?

Take notes

Take notes as you watch the show, and take screenshots or real photos to remember your first impressions. Of course, you can rewatch the show later, but the best idea doesn’t come twice. The first impression is strong and authentic, so that’s why it’s important to take notes. Plus, if there are 50 looks, you’ll probably see 200 details that you might miss if you don’t write them down immediately. You’ll not describe each of the 50 looks, but the most important details from your point of view. 

Use quotes

Using quotes from the designer is a great way to complement your report. You can find them on show notes, the media, or by going backstage to talk to the designer, or talking with him over a Zoom call (this is for more experienced writers but still you should know you have this option for the future). 

Learn about fashion 

Knowing as much as possible about fashion helps a lot to support your runway review with raw data. Therefore, I recommend learning about fashion history and staying updated on the latest news and trends that will help you spot details in the show easier and connect them to the meaning of the collection. 

Become familiar with the fashion vocabulary 

Another thing that can make it easier to write a fashion review is to become familiar with the fashion vocabulary. Do fashion terms like Trompe l’oeil, Passé, Savoir-faire, Dégradé, Whimsical, Austère, Ethereal…ring a bell? If not, you should learn them (we explain popular fashion terms and definitions in our daily newsletter 365 days of fashion) as using industry terms makes a review look more professional. 

Follow other fashion reporters for inspiration 

Every writer is different and has a unique voice and writing style. So it doesn’t mean you have to copy someone. However, you should read as many reviews as you can, especially if you have never written a runway report before because you are at the beginning of your writing career. You can follow Nicole Phelps from Vogue, Alison S.Cohn from Harper’s Bazaar, and Miles Socha from WWD, among others.

How to see a fashion show?

Unless you are an editor, a buyer, or an influencer (or work as a volunteer backstage), you won’t probably be able to attend a fashion show physically. So if you are reading this article as an aspiring fashion writer, my answer is you should watch the live streaming on the brand’s website, or partner platforms like Instagram, and Youtube. Plus, you can see the photos of the catwalk online once other critics publish their reviews. 

So yeah, this is great news because you don’t actually need to attend a fashion show (even if we fashionistas all dream of doing that one day). With your research skills and attention to detail when watching the show and the photos online, you can write a great runway review!

How to get your runway review published?

Step 1:

Do your research about the brand you want to cover the show about.

Step 2:

Watch the show online or in person and note down all the necessary information.

Step 3:

Write your review.

Step 4:

Pitch it to the magazines. 

If you are at the beginning of your career in fashion, instead of pitching notorious magazines that have their own fashion critics already traveling the world to attend fashion shows, consider pitching niche magazines or websites. Then, of course, nothing prevents you from sending it to Vogue. Just make sure to broaden your opportunities.

That’s it! That’s how you write a runway review. It doesn’t look that hard once you know exactly what to write about, does it? 😉 

But if you are still feeling nervous about the idea and need guidance on how to write articles and get them published when you don’t have any experience, we invite you to enroll in the Fashion Writer Accelerator online course.