After giving this post a lot of thought, I decided that instead of the conventional recap, I wanted to do a guide to NYFW. This guide is for newbies who want to attend, and for those of you who are curious about what it’s really like to attend fashion week. This was my first time attending NYFW, and it definitely involved a learning curve. Before this, I’d done 5 seasons of Toronto Fashion Week, which I consider the perfect training for New York. So without further ado, here is my beginner’s guide to New York Fashion Week.
Where do I start?
Before going to NYFW, you should be familiar with your three biggest resources:
Fashion Week Live
Here, you will find the schedule for all the shows. The schedule starts filling up about a month in advance.
Fashion GPS
Fashion GPS allows you to create an account and keep track of the shows you are invited to. Also, if you go to the ‘calendar’ section, you can see which invites have already been sent out for shows.
Modem Online
About 2-3 weeks before fashion week, Modem Online uploads the PR information for different brands.
How do I get invited to shows?
Getting invited to shows is a mixture of PR companies reaching out to you and you reaching out to them. When reaching out to a press contact, send them an email letting them know you’ll be in New York and that you’d like to attend their client’s show, along with your media kit.
I’ve made it to New York, now what?
While attending NYFW, keep in mind that nothing, goes according to plan. You may be reading this and thinking I’m a poor planner, but believe me, I am as type-A Monica Gellar as one can get. Due to flight delays, I missed my first show, something I had no control over. Instead of crying over spilled milk, I adopted the ‘shit happens’ attitude. And after speaking to others, I realized that everyone misses shows for one reason or another.
Shows are often back to back, and on different sides of the city. I had to miss a few shows because it was impossible to get from one end of the city to the other in a 20 minute time span. Also, be wary of show times. Check in usually begins 30 minutes before a show, so make sure you arrive in a timely fashion. Also, shows often get delayed, so altogether, expect to be at a show for 1.5-2 hours.
My experience
From my personal experience, I realized that I prefer presentations to actual shows. Presentations are a lot more personal and often interactive. You’re able to truly appreciate the detail in every outfit. Aside from the shows, NYFW is a great time to network. You get to meet like-minded people who have the same appreciation for fashion as you do. Connect with as many people as you can. I’ve come back feeling energized and inspired.
Below are pictures from some of my favourite shows:
Nicole Miller
The collection beautifully combined grunge styles with bohemian motifs. Embroidered dresses were juxtaposed with deep colour palettes, rough textures and daring silhouettes.
Jill Stuart
The collection was Victorian-meets-70’s, with a really interesting combination of fabrics used for each look. Also, I thought the models looked regal.
J. Crew
For its fall 2017 collection, J.Crew cast regular people instead of models. The presentation had a relaxed vibe to it which I loved. The quintessentially J.Crew collection was mix of wearable classics with unexpected detailing.
Vivienne Hu
The collection featured structured pieces that exuded strength and power.
Amazing tips, and I love your pictures!! I agree…I always think presentations would be a much better fit for me. Though the runways can be so beautiful too. Great post!
~Krisztina
http://www.krisztinawilliams.com
Love your tips girl, very “cut to the chase”! And I would agree with you on presentations over runway shows, bc it gives your more luxury in appreciating and capturing the beauty of the garments. Hope to see you next time and we should definitely grab a coffee!
J. Crew’s show looks amazing! I could literally live in their store!
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.com
I’ve never been to a fashion week but it’s nice you could share yo advice and tips for it! 🙂 Shame that you missed a few shows but travel can be so tricky sometimes. And delays always seem to happen when you’re in a rush! Glad you had a good time otherwise. Thanks for sharing some of your favourites.
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
So awesome. I had no idea you were based out of Toronto – my home town. I’ve been going to Toronto Fashion week for about 9 years but missed last year when I moved to the US. (Seriously has went from L’Oreal Fashion week to LG Fashion Week to WMCFW man… it’s crazy). This post is so in point! When I first went to NYFW, it was really similar to fashion week when it Toronto’s was WMCFW 2 years back and held at David Pecault Sq., then NYFW changed quite a bit the last 2 years. Presentations are always really good. It’s a lot nicer to be able to see the clothes for longer, too. 🙂 Hopefully I’ll run into at fashion week on another season. I heard Toronto lost theirs but got bought out by a private investor a month ago or so. I’m curious to see how it will go. Do you go to any of the other Toronto ones? TOM*FW, Canadian Philippines FW?
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
My first time on your blog. Love it by the way. 💙
That sounds amazing to attend New York fashion week, what a great experience! I would have love to join if I could have do so!
http://violettedaily.com/
Such a great collection <3 <3
Kisses dear
http://www.oannafashionsimbol.com
Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂 so many stylish looks!
Camille xo
http://www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk
This is such a cool blogpost! Thanks for sharing your advice 🙂
What about following each other on bloglovin? <3
Caro x
http://nilooorac.com/
Great tips! Love these pics.
♥Kumari
http://stylesociety.co.za
wow really love this blog post 🙂
http://www.londonstylegirl.com
Great post, thanks for the useful tips. NYFW to me is like that party you know everyone is attending but you don’t know the cool people handing out the invites. I hope I’ll be able to attend in a couple of years! 🙂
Xx
Saida | She talks Glam
BTW, when entering a comment, it seems the info of the last person who entered a comment is saved, including email contact…
Amazing post ,kisses
Love this great post, I love it, absolutely useful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing and the tips, waiting for the next post!!!
xxx
http://www.noragouma.com
thankx for the tip, beautiful pictures and the collection was soo good.
Love these tips. I’ve heard it’s super hectic, but at the same time really fun.
http://www.fashionradi.com
I’ve been wanting to go to NYFW for years but something always gets in the way. While I’ve always been a spectator through someone else’s lens I’ve found myself lately more interested in presentations over shows. Getting up close and personal feels more personal I guess. But then again nothing beats the excitement that is the runway.
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
SIF!! what a great blog babe!! Especially for a newbie like me!! Thank you for all the tips and its so great to see NYFW through your eyes. Absolutely beautiful! I agree with you about presentation!! I love it so much more coz you can go up close and see all the details. I feel like the shows are so quick!! Almost too quick. I guess its just a different vibe. Cant wait to see you in Hawaii babe!!!
love it
This has been so informative Siffat!
Thanks so much for sharing! J. Crew’s idea to cast normal people is an excellent marketing strategy, don’t you think?!
Have a great week darling!
Love from https://tbymallano.com/
Thanks for the tips and I will make sure to bookmark those websites for the upcoming FW! Besides that I loved the J. Crew collection and sorry for your flight delay. Have a lovely start of the week! <3
Andreea,
http://couturezilla.com/
great compilation….
http://www.crazyaboutcolors.com
Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Bernie, xx
The Style Fanatic
love this post babe!
xx
http://thedemeler.com
So helpful! I could have definitely used this before I went my first time.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Hahah first of all, I loveeee your Friends reference. I love Monica ;). Second, thank you for honesty with fashion week! There is so much that goes into it that people don’t talk about and I agree that presentations are so personal….although there is something special about a show 🙂 xx, Erin – http://www.stylebthepeople.com
Ooooh that thick black and gold corset belt by Jill Stuart- so me its redunkulous. That’s interesting, we are polar opposites when it comes to how we like to see ze clothes, as in you prefer presentations and I’m about the shows. In fact, I often skip a designer’s show when I find out its a presentation. I shoudl probably stop that…and yes shows are a great way to network once you find the peeps who are willing to actually crack a smile ( ; Have a great start to your week hon ( :
Great post! Nice pics 🙂
Kisses!!
http://www.alasdeangel.net
This is such a great post babe! It really has so much great information about New York Fashion Week! So many gorgeous photographs too! Thanks so much for sharing <3
XO Jessi,
http://www.mywhitet.com/designer-dupes-for-my-favorite-items/
Nice post! Love the tips. These collections look great especially Nicole Miller.
http://www.comfycozyup.com
Thanks for the no nonsense tips on how to attend your first NYFW! I especially loved Miller’s embroidery pieces, it looked great although black is notoriously hard to photograph!
xo,
I AM YASMIN
amazing post..
http://thestyleride.com/
amazing post.. share some your pictues too
http://thestyleride.com/
This is such an interesting post! I can imagine that you would definitely have to adjust expectations knowing that things usually don’t go as planned. Your pictures look great – I love that J Crew cast “regular people”. So fun!
Kathryn • simplykk.com
“Hello my dearest, thank you for always sharing inspiring posts!!!!
”
xx
Hadasah Love || http://www.styletolove.com
I loved your tips, one of the best NYFW posts I have read in a long time, I get invites to some shows BUT as you know I live really far away so buying a ticket there is super expensive in ZAR and I need to plan like 3 months in advance, I think next time I will ask some of my readers in NY to attend on my behalf cause I always feel bad saying no…OR I will move my ass plan and go to NYFW 😉 XX
This is such an informative post! I love the pieces by Nicole Miller. So bohemian and gorgeous!
It looks like you had a fantastic time in NYC! Cant wait for the new pieces to come to store so we can go shop for them! haha
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com