Surviving Your First New York Fashion Week: A Beginner’s Guide
Image credit: CFDA
What is New York Fashion Week? Often abbreviated as NYFW, it is a series of events and shows showcasing the latest collections by various designers. Typically, the official calendar is posted by The Council of Fashion Designers of America a few weeks before the official madness begins. It takes place twice a year, once in February and once in September.
What to expect: This month’s fashion week runs from Feb. 6-11. During this week, expect a lot of fashion shows (of course!), parties, celebrity appearances and, if you’re one for networking, PR/marketing representatives will be present at each event.
Image credit: nytimes.com
How Can You Attend? There are so many options to choose from during this week and there’s something for everybody. Whether you’re a native New Yorker trying something new or an out of state traveler wanting to join in on the fun, here are some key ways to secure your spot at a show:
Buying a ticket to a show: the most promising way!
Volunteer/Intern work: you get to attend the show and get the experience; a win/win!
Reach out to brand’s PR agencies: write a professional and kind email explaining the work that you do and your interest in their show.
Networking: take the time to connect with fellow fashionistas to attend shows together.
Local brands: keep an eye out for local brands that will be running their own shows/events (these are typically easier to attend).
Image credit: Vogue.com
What else is there to do? Even if you aren’t interested in attending a show or maybe you missed out on the ticket sale, there are still many fashion-related activities to dive into in the city such as:
Pop-up shops: many brands take this week to unveil their new collections to the general public.
After-show parties: if you still want to join in on the fun, be on the lookout for the after parties. Most times, a party flyer will be posted to the brand’s social media pages or you may even find one on EventBrite!
Fashion forward art exhibitions: along with many other exhibitions here in the city, during this week you’ll find hidden gems that include art related to fashion, whether it be brand specific or simple art made from clothing.
Workshops: similar to the pop-up shops, there are workshops that may feature guest speakers and include interactive activities for guests, as well as some goodies!
This is the week to really show out and have fun with your style, but more importantly, to enjoy yourself amongst other fashion forward thinkers!