top of page
City of Atlanta Fashion Week
17th-anniversary-celebration-logo-design-vector-eps10_282584-124.png
AISW-Logo screen.png

ABOUT US

Atlanta International Fashion Week is engineering the global fashion experience and attracting industry influencers with a passport to arts, culture, fashion, and entertainment.  The destination is fashion with a journey through art and an encounter with style. The proclaimed Atlanta International Fashion Week is bridging the gap and connecting continents through fashion! Introducing, Tour de Atlanta, a six-day adventure through Atlanta’s premier locations showcasing the retail, art, and cultural communities. Fashion is more than just the clothes on one’s back. It’s a movement, a feeling, and an expression. AIFW fosters and encourages established and up-and-coming designers through numerous industry and networking events. AIFW has developed Fashion Lives Here a fashion awareness program created to generate international attention to Atlanta’s vibrant retail market and arts community. Atlanta has one of the top 10 retail markets in the country and AIFW has goals to grow the vitality of the Atlanta fashion arts community, maintain global relations along with the promotion of the arts through fashion and entertainment. The 18th annual AIFW is taking place March 20th-23rd and September 23rd-28thth, 2025 at various downtown locations.

 

With worldwide appeal, 50 designers, 12 runway shows, 6 celebrity events, 4 fashion workshops, 2 trunk shows in one week and eleven years in the making, the Atlanta International Fashion Week has become one of the largest fashion and entertainment events of the year. You will be immersed in six days packed with runway shows, live entertainment, learning sessions, and network events to bridge the gap and connect continents through fashion. This star-studded affair will be entertaining and designed to benefit local and national charities all in the name of fashion.

 

Beginning in 2007 at Atlanta’s preeminent exposition center, the Georgia World Congress Center, AIFW has featured catwalk favorites of Balmain, Kenzo, Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, White House Black Market, Roberto Cavalli, Trina Turk, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Juicy Couture, Rock & Republic, Sean John, Ed Hardy, Dereon, True Religion, Akademiks, Apple Bottoms, Ecko, Baby Phat, Rocawear, Phat Farm, Ashley Stewart, Enyce, LRG and many more among countless independent designers.  Atlanta is slowly becoming an epicenter of fashion with AIFW bringing it to the forefront on a global level.

​

What we have achieved for the City of Atlanta:

​

-Community Development and various programs that improve citizen lives such as 'Beauty & A Makeover'

-Paving the way for the fashion industry in Atlanta and growing the economy

-Providing opportunities and propelling careers of hundreds of talent 

-Placing Atlanta on a global scale for fashion and featuring fashion from over 17 countries

-Highlighting Atlanta’s rich heritage and historic buildings

-Youth development and mentorship through nonprofit, Fashion Apprentice

​

​

Screenshot_20240923_194341_Drive.jpg

HIGHLIGHTS

THE BUZZ

 

AIFW is mentioned and listed around the globe as the premier international fashion week along with the Big 4 (London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and NY Fashion Week). View a few web links and reviews below:

​

AIFW QUICK FACTS
 

  • 17th year with 16 years of fashion shows, celebrity events and featuring over 525 fashion designers from 17 countries

  • Proclaimed as official fashion week of Atlanta with annual support of Mayor and Atlanta Development Authority including Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council and from the Governor of the State of Georgia

  • Past Celebrity attendees have been Kim Kardashian, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin, National Recording Artist Monica, NBA Player Dwight Howard, Floyd Mayweather, America’s Next Top Models, Real Housewives of Atlanta and host of NBA and NFL players

  • Featured sold out nightlife celebrity events throughout city with such celebrities as Ludacris, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Kim Kardashian, Monica

  • Featured designers have included Balmain, Kenzo, Balenciaga, Maison Margiela, White House Black Market, Roberto Cavalli, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Trina Turk, Sean John, Juicy Couture, Rock & Republic, True Religion, Dereon, Baby Phat, Marc Ecko, Akademiks

  • Promotes the Arts community and Retail market in Atlanta with tailored programs ‘Fashion Lives Here’ ‘Shop Atlanta’ and ‘Tour de Atlanta’ highlighting the city’s attractions

  • Completed 15 city international model & designer search

  • Named to Stars Confidential Best Event by Market List

  • Participation from several countries in Africa, Mexico, Pakistan, Europe, Canada, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

  • Features the ‘Fashion ICON’ Awards to honor tomorrows trendsetters and today’s innovators

  • Supports Global Aids and Cancer awareness with special events and fundraising

  • Average attendance is 3,000

  • Average designer participation each year of 40 from over 300 independent designer submissions and 60 international models from over 1,200 new model submissions

  • Worldwide network of more than 130,000 followers (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.)

  • Partners have included Nordstrom, Smartwater, Mercedes Benz, W Hotel, World Fashion TV, Paul Mitchell, Comcast, Columbia Pictures, Revlon, Delta, Dolce Group, MAC Aids Fund, Dallas Austin Foundation, Usher’s New Look

  • Features fashion mentorship program for young girls called the “Fashion Apprentice” which has mentored hundreds through AIFW fashion programs

City of Atlanta

TESTIMONIALS

“Brand Atlanta commends AIFW for its commitment to Atlanta’s fashion and design community as well as its promotion of women’s health issues. Many AIFW events demonstrate the organization’s dedication to economic development and promotion for the city of Atlanta.”

Screenshot_20220810-163846_Write on PDF.jpg
Keisha Bottoms Approval
Keisha Bottoms Approval
Shirley Franklin

 “This event supports the growth of Atlanta’s local fashion and creative industries,” says Sonya Moste, director of Marketing at ADA and interim marketing executive for Brand Atlanta. “Fashion Week is about economic development and raising Atlanta’s profile.”

 

“Atlanta International Fashion Week is dedicated to showcasing Atlanta’s elite designers and models in the fashion industry.  This week, full of fun-filled events exemplifies your dedication to the economic development for the City of Atlanta.  I commend Atlanta International Fashion Week for your commitment to Atlanta’s fashion and design community,”

 

- Shirley Franklin (Former Mayor, Atlanta)

With past national and international partners such as the World Fashion TV, Columbia Pictures, Comcast, Mercedes Benz, Paul Mitchell, W Hotel, Dolce Group, Revlon and more along with partnerships with countries such as Africa, Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, AIFW is increasingly growing and will become international must attend fashion show and trade event of the year.  AIFW has featured some special events such as an Adidas Celebrity In Store Event with NBA star Dwight Howard of the LA Lakers, special appearances by Kim Kardashian, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs,  Dallas Austin, Heavyweight boxer Floyd Mayweather, R&B artist Monica, and a host of corporate buyers and industry professionals.

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Paula Whittle.png

DR. PAULA WHITTLE

When you think of fashion and entertainment in Atlanta two words come to mind—Paula Whittle. She has managed to defy the impossible, and has become a legend in the city of Atlanta by creating her very own fashion and entertainment powerhouse. Paula Whittle made history as the first black woman to be a founder and director of an international fashion week with receiving two proclamations from the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia along with meeting with the State Department for international trade with 11 countries. Along with these accolades, she has also received support from four Atlanta Mayors yearly. Over her 17 year timespan, she has produced and directed over 250 shows, worked with over 500 designers from around the globe, and produced 150 celebrity events. Paula has defied all odds while facing autoimmune disease and spinal issues which causes her disability, but that doesn’t stop this powerhouse from being a change agent. Paula is also a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, mentor, and developer. She continues to help young girls in Atlanta through her nonprofit, Fashion Apprentice. Her goal is to continue to make an impact in the community and abroad.  

 

As Founder & Director of Atlanta International Fashion Week for past 17 years, Paula has:

 

  • Received Mayoral support from 4 different Mayor's

  • Received Proclamation from Atlanta City Council

  • Received Proclamation from State of Georgia Governor

  • Received support from Atlanta Development Authority

  • Received Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanitarianism 

  • Received Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

  • Developed various community development programs that improve citizen lives

  • Paved the way for the fashion industry in Atlanta and growing the economy

  • Provided opportunities and propelling careers of hundreds of talent in Atlanta

  • Placed Atlanta on a global scale for fashion and featuring fashion from over 17 countries

  • Highlight Atlanta’s rich heritage and historic buildings by hosting fashion week events at locations and tours 

  • Provided Youth development and mentorship through nonprofit, Fashion Apprentice for the past 5 years in the city of Atlanta

  • Provided beauty program and resources for Atlanta’s homeless community for the past 3 years 

bottom of page