Fashion lovers know that each week seems to herald in a new city’s fashion week, full of shows and new garments to lust over. For true fashionistas, though, few weeks rival Paris and Milan, two of the industry’s biggest shows that attract the most famous talent. This spring Milan fashion week runs from February 18-23, and while the temperatures in Italy might finally start warming into spring, designers will be showcasing an entirely different season: fall.

Over 170 shows and presentations will occur over the six days that the fashion week takes over the city. The Camera Nazionale della Moda manages the shows and publicity. The fashion week both promotes famous fashion houses as well as up and coming designers. Designers will exhibit their fall/winter collections during this edition of the show, which occurs twice annually. In addition to the catwalks, the fashion week often encompasses special events and exhibitions dedicated to networking as well as celebrating famous fashion icons.

In the past designers showing at Milan fashion week have included Alberta Ferretti, Bottega Veneta, Costume National, Dolce & Gabbana, Emperio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Fgendi, Karl Lagerfeld, Max Mara, Missoni, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace. For fashion lovers the best way to see the show is from the inside, but tickets are hard to come by. The official Milan fashion week website has livestreaming of many of the catwalk shows, so go ahead and hit the city but be prepared if you cannot get in to a show. If that is the case, just watch online to assess the trends for the upcoming season—and then take advantage of your extra free time to go shopping in some of the best stores in Italy.