Fashion Weeks: From Exclusive Catwalks to Global Marketing Spectacles
- Raffles Jakarta
- Nov 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
In the past, fashion weeks were exclusive events for industry professionals. Today, they have evolved into multi-platform marketing phenomena, transcending geographical boundaries and bringing in billions of dollars in visibility, engagement, and influence. From Paris, Milan, New York, and London to the emerging influence of Jakarta, these runways have become global stages where people can fully experience brands and tell digital stories.
Fashion week in 2025 isn't just a celebration of style; it's a whole ecosystem of content. Every walk, every look, and every post is meant to connect with people, not just those in the front row, but also those watching from all over the world. Fashion weeks are the best way to market things because they combine art, business, and technology.
Fashion Weeks as Marketing Machines
Fashion weeks today do more than show off collections. They also:
Brand Positioning: A single show can change the way a brand is seen, bringing in new creative ideas or working with other brands.
Digital Reach: Brands can reach millions of people on social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube through live streaming, AI styling bots, and AR integrations.
Retail Activation: Fashion week collections are now linked to instant online drops and pre-orders, which means that fashion shows and e-commerce are now the same.
Cultural Impact: Fashion weeks have turned into cultural mirrors, mixing stories about art, politics, and sustainability that really speak to people all over the world.
Both high-end and streetwear brands understand that the runway is now a robust marketing campaign, and that everyone with a smartphone is now in the front row. The use of technology has made fashion stories more compelling, transforming a collection into a movement.
Raffles Jakarta Shining Across National and International Fashion Weeks
While fashion weeks around the world spotlight the industry's biggest names, they have also become launchpads for emerging designers, and Raffles Jakarta continues to prove that Indonesia's creative talents deserve a global audience. At both national and international fashion stages, Raffles Jakarta has built a reputation as a breeding ground for next-generation designers and creative entrepreneurs.
From Jakarta Fashion Week to Mittelmoda in Milan, Raffles students and alumni are redefining Southeast Asia's creative identity. Their participation and victories in these events, such as Christabell BELLINI's global achievement as the only finalist from Southeast Asia at Mittelmoda in Milan, Italy, and Carolin Valentina's win at Jakarta Fashion Week, represent not only personal success stories but also the excellence of Raffles Jakarta's academic ecosystem, where education meets professional relevance.
After the global achievement of Christabell BELLINI, who became the only finalist from Southeast Asia to compete at Mittelmoda in Milan, Italy, another outstanding milestone followed:
Raffles Jakarta Fashion Design student, Carolin Valentina, won Lomba Perancang Mode (LPM) 2025 at Jakarta Fashion Week, one of Indonesia's most prestigious design competitions.
These achievements affirm Raffles Jakarta's position as the leader in fashion education in Indonesia, consistently connecting students to real-world experiences and international exposure.
"Raffles Jakarta students are not just creating garments; they are crafting stories, visions, and movements that speak to the world," says the academic team. "This is the future of fashion, one that unites creativity, responsibility, and innovation."
Jakarta Fashion Week: The Growing Powerhouse of Southeast Asia
Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW) has transcended its regional boundaries to become a significant player in the global fashion arena. It began as a platform to showcase Indonesia's rich cultural heritage to the world of fashion. Today, it has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem of designers, brands, and schools, featuring both established names and emerging talents. JFW's annual focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and digital innovation has garnered global attention, positioning Jakarta as a key influencer in the regional fashion scene.
Raffles Jakarta: The Best Place to Learn About Fashion in Indonesia
Raffles Jakarta stands at the forefront of this transformative journey. It is a nurturing ground for visionary talent reshaping Indonesia's creative landscape. The school's success is exemplified by Christabell BELLINI, the only finalist from Southeast Asia at Mittelmoda in Milan, Italy, and Carolin Valentina, the winner of Lomba Perancang Mode (LPM) 2025 at Jakarta Fashion Week. These victories underscore Raffles Jakarta's commitment to fostering creativity with a purpose, where new ideas make a tangible difference in society. Our unique approach to fashion education focuses not just on creating garments, but on crafting stories, visions, and movements that speak to the world.
The judges and audience were both amazed by Carolin's award-winning collection, "Luruh: The Molting Forest." The environmental problems inspired her designs in Kalimantan. They used eco-friendly materials and artistic storytelling to illustrate how nature cycles through destruction and renewal. This collection was more than just clothes; it was a way to get people to think about the environment. Her win shows how talented she is as an individual and also strengthens Raffles Jakarta's position as the country's top fashion school, where creativity meets purpose and new ideas make a difference in society.
"Carolin's work shows that fashion can be both pretty and vital. We at Raffles Jakarta are dedicated to developing talents who will change the way fashion is seen in the world, one runway at a time.
The Raffles Experience: From Classrooms to Catwalks
At Raffles Jakarta, students in Fashion Marketing and Management are not just taught about fashion; they are trained to understand the strategic role of fashion shows as communication tools. Through classes in event management, branding, and fashion entrepreneurship, students learn to plan and execute their own fashion events. These experiences prepare them to navigate the real-world fashion industry, from launching brands to running campaigns that capture significant attention. These experiences prepare them to navigate the fashion world in real life, from launching brands to running campaigns that garner significant attention.
Click here to see some of the fashion shows our students put on, where their creativity in the classroom turns into great work in the real world. These shows are not just about showcasing designs, but also about demonstrating the strategic role of fashion shows as communication tools, which our students learn about in classes on event management, branding, and fashion entrepreneurship.
Fashion Weeks and the Future of Advertising
Fashion weeks around the world are constantly changing, but one thing is for sure: fashion is no longer just a seasonal show; it's a conversation that never ends. Brands are using these events to tell stories, showcase their products online, and spark cultural movements. AI, AR, and sustainability have changed what a runway can mean. It's not just about glamour anymore; it's also about innovation, inclusion, and purpose. People who know that a fashion show is not the end, but the beginning, will be successful in this day and age. It is the starting point for marketing campaigns, building a brand, and making an emotional connection that turns people into loyal fans.
Arman POUREISA
Marketing Manager
References
Business of Fashion. (2025, October 12). The evolution of global fashion weeks in the digital era. https://www.businessoffashion.com
Jakarta Fashion Week. (2025). Official highlights and winners of JFW 2025. https://www.jakartafashionweek.co.id
Forbes. (2025, February 14). Why storytelling now defines the future of luxury fashion marketing. https://www.forbes.com
Vogue Business. (2025, March 2). Fashion weeks go hybrid: The rise of global fashion marketing ecosystems. https://www.voguebusiness.com
Raffles Indonesia. (2025, October 27). Raffles Jakarta continues to lead Indonesia’s fashion education scene. https://www.raffles-indonesia.com
Well done!