Many of us dream about sitting in the first three rows of a New York Fashion Week runway show. There may be a few of us that will attend in the next few years. Regardless of your case, here’s what any New York Fashion Week stan and first-time attendee should know about the semi-annual fashion industry event.
What is Fashion Week?
Fashion Week is precisely a fashion industry event that lasts for a week or about 8 days. During this week, there are a trillion ‘shows’ (fashion shows, runway shows). There may not be a trillion, but there are a bunch. It is not possible to attend them all, unless you are cloned and are superwoman or man. Each show is held for a client otherwise known as a fashion designer, fashion house or a fashion brand to showcase their latest collection and latest trends to the media and buyers.
Fashion Week is held twice a year in the four major fashion capitals of the world; New York City, London, Milan and Paris. There are fashion weeks held in other areas of the world like Berlin, Dubai, Los Angeles, and Madrid to name a few. To know fashion is to know fashion weeks are always held several months ahead of the season to follow for preview purposes.
Who goes to New York Fashion Week?
Chances are, if you’re attending New York Fashion Week, you have a purpose to be there. Whether your job is to do model’s makeup, assist in the production of shows, be a photographer, cover shows for a magazine or online media, you’re a publicist or actor (buyer), or playing best friend since your friend’s dad scored awesome tickets for his help with a client, you’re working New York Fashion Week. There’s no attending shows without an invite. However, there is hope for the person without one. There is sometimes standing room only access, but these aren’t given to just anybody. You have to state your claim if you want in on a New York Fashion Week show. If you love Rodarte and bought every piece it had in Target, are a stan for Nina Garcia’s work at Marie Claire and Elle, and admire Zac Posen’s tenacity, you have to back it up! Just go equipped with the goods to get you in on the fun.
Do I need to save for designer clothes?
Don’t break the bank on designer clothes. As long as it looks good, it’ll work. People have somehow succumbed to the mindset that designer is always better and that’s far from the truth. Of course with designer labels comes quality, durability, the feeling you get when people look at you (because you think people know who you’re wearing, haha) but it all comes with a major price tag.
As compared to shoes, people don’t know what the inside tag of your clothes say, so don’t waste money trying to look the part. There are many who attend New York Fashion Week that wear trendy $20 t-shirts, $80 blazers, dresses under $100, and trousers found at the department store, but know how to rock it so it looks as if it cost them $1,000 for each piece.
What should I wear?
Stay true to your style. Everyone, well kind of, is trying to make some kind of impression. But with that, make an impression as the fashion goddess or god you already are and not what you see in a magazine. People who go to New York Fashion Week, especially the veterans, don’t fall victim to too many trends just because they are trending. For one, with the new collections you’ll be previewing, the trend you’ll wear will be considered out anyway. Fashion week vets simply wear what they like and what looks good on them, even vintage pieces. You should do the same. People from all style backgrounds attend New York Fashion Week. So, if you’re a boot wearer, wear them! You do NOT have to wear stiletto heels to every event everyday. You should look super cute, be super comfortable, yet appear super stylish and put-together.
Enjoy the moment!
Whatever you experience, whether you get to go to a show of a designer you’ve always wanted or visit New York during New York Fashion Week, soak it up, let it sink in and enjoy every moment. It’s rare to experience such an event, so make it memorable, take lots of pictures, network, and most of all, have fun!
BDST: 1719 HRS, Sep-07, 2013
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