This edited volume for the first time, examines fashion and design events from a social perspective, including the meanings they bestow and their potential economic, cultural and personal impacts. It explores the reasons for their popularity and influence, and provides a critique of their growth in different markets. It further develops and critiques thematic concepts linked to fashion and design events, such as identity, gender, aspirations and self-image, commodification, authenticity, destination development and marketing, business strategy and intellectual property. The title will appeal to students of art and design, cultural studies, tourism, events studies, sociology and marketing.