Europe's Cultural Capitals Take to the Catwalk

Did someone say "couture"? Paris Fashion Week is well under way and already making big statements on the runway. Ready-to-wear fashion arrives in March (March 3 to 10), with haute couture hot on its – kitten or stiletto? – heels in July (July 5 to 8). Take in the sights and sounds of the Carrousel du Louvre and see why Paris still wears the fashion crown. For those inspired by the runways to shop along the Champs-Élysées, neighboring Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris offers a welcome respite with its Licence to Shop spa package.

Maybe the molto glamour of an Italian show appeals? Florence's Pitti Immagine is at the cutting edge of style and fashion (February and March), organizing some of the world's most coveted trunk shows and events. The savvy fashion guru will escape the masses with a stay at magnificent Four Seasons Hotel Firenze – a 10-minute walk from the bustling shopping district.

London Fashion Week (February 19 to 24) is one of the most anticipated events of the fashion calendar. Top British designers from Antoni & Alison to Twenty8Twelve will be wowing the catwalk crowds this month at Somerset House and 180 Strand, showcasing the looks that will dominate 2010. With many up-and-coming designers springing from London's East End, Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf may just be the natural choice for those keen to experience the city's new artistic hub. For those seeking total fashion immersion, Four Seasons can access the city's ultimate shopping guides through its partners at Urban Gentry, who offer personalised, off-the-beaten-track tours of the hottest neighbourhoods, vintage boutiques and one-off shops in town.

And London isn't the only place to get the personal touch. Whether you're exploring the renowned designer boutiques of Prague's historic Staré Mìsto, discovering Budapest's rising fashion elite in Dora Henger's OurStyle Showroom or seeking out a whole new wardrobe in Dublin's Cow's Lane Fashion Market, the concierge teams at Four Seasons can pair you with the best walking, talking fashionistas in town.

For those seeking silks and satins, a jaunt to Hampshire is a must. Since 1820, the Whitchurch Silk Mill (with a working museum) has been producing and showcasing high-quality fabrics for theatres, interior designers and historic houses. A stay at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is the perfect accessory to such a historic, fashion-inspired trip: the Georgian manor house, with its heritage-listed gardens, is just a short drive from this age-old institution.

Those looking to bronze while browsing the latest trends should consider Lisbon or Provence. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is just a supermodel's leap from the heart of the Bairro Alto, where fashion-savvy Lisboans shop till they drop. And those in the market for art and fabrics will love the quintessential creations of Provence's Les Olivades, inspired by the traditions of one of France's most stylish regions.

More information: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts