NYFW: How To Attend The Shows

In July of 2019 when I came back from South Africa, I was pumped to attend fashion week in September. I told myself that I was going to work my a$$ off and get myself into as many shows as I could. I diligently spent the entire months of July and August sending out emails until my fingers were tired. Long and behold I did get into sooo many shows that I had to give tickets away, plus backstage access and many after parties! Fast forward to now 2021, getting into the shows might be more challenging because of Covid but you still have to try. And, I know that NYFW seems very common to some, however there are a lot of bloggers who still aren’t sure how it all works. In this blog post, I am freely sharing my tips and tricks on how to attend NYFW. I know the shows are a week away and I am late with this post, but you can always save for next year.

Okay let’s be honest: unless you are a stylist or magazine editor, the invites are not going to fall into your lap. Being in the industry gives you the privilege to attend the shows without having to lift a finger!!! How awesome is that? However, for us regular bloggers or influencers, you have to put in that grunt work way before the start of NYFW to get into a handful of shows. So here it all goes…my secrets on how I make NYFW work for me as a blogger.

2 Months Before NYFW

NYFW takes planning and you cannot just wing it. If you live in NYC, this section may not apply to you much (only if you want to stay in the city while attending your shows). If you live outside of NYC (very far), this is the time to be pitching to hotels. What this means is you should be reaching out to a bunch of hotels asking if they would accommodate you for a certain number of days in exchange for social media/blog promotion. That’s it, very simple.

Not only is it a busy time of the year with summer ending and back to school…(remember we are also in a pandemic). You are going to get a lot of “Unfortunately we will not be able to collaborate at this time.” emails. Do not be discouraged and keep sending out those emails. If the hotels cannot accommodate you for a comp stay, always ask them if there is a media rate for bloggers/influencers. And please make sure you have a professional media kit ready and available when pitching to brands. This is a whole other topic, but it shows your professionalism and that you take your brand seriously.

1 Month Before NYFW

This year’s fashion week is scheduled for September 8-12, 2021. The schedule from CFDA is up with all the shows and the times. Some will say digital, presentation, and some runway…(keep in mind that digital is going to be an ongoing thing in the coming years) I tend to look at the shows that I would like to attend and make a list. Then I research the PR contacts and email them. Also, I email contacts from previous shows that I have attended asking to be added to their list. Remember, there should be some sort of an exchange and how you can support the brands. Let them know that you will be providing coverage on your social media platforms so that they feel encouraged to want to add you to their list. **Another thing to take into consideration: a lot of the shows might not be on the list so you have to do some more research.

It’s going to be a lot of work when trying to attend these shows, so be prepared. And be prepared to send out a lot of emails and get back little replies. Keep in mind that these PR people are receiving hundreds of emails daily. When you send a request email, please keep it short. You should have the same email template that you use for everyone to keep your life simple. I like to build relationships with brands. For example, if I am emailing a brand that I went to their show the year before, I will remind them and compliment them by telling them how much I loved the presentation and I would like to return the current year. As a matter of fact, I did that with Chocheng (went to their show in 2019) and the PR contact person at Purple PR wrote me back with the invite to their digital show this year. ****(Also you can choose to email the PR agencies to get into the shows or the brands directly).

1-2 Weeks Before NYFW

Okay, this is where things get a bit hectic and you’re wondering why no one has responded to your requests. FOLLOW UP!!! Send the brand or PR an email to say you’re following up. They will respond and this is a very important step. I usually get feedback and responses from follow up emails. As a matter of fact, I am about to go follow up with a show too! And please don’t RSVP and be a no show…Brands hate that and will remember you..lol. If I can’t make a show, I will give away the ticket. I am not sure how this will work this year since you have to match your Vaccination card to your ID…Who knows?

This is also a good time to download the GPS Radar App. This is the app for all your fashion needs and brands sent out invites and seating arrangements on this app. It’s also a great tool to keeping you organized since the shows that you will be going to will be on there. I have high success when using this app and highly recommend.

Once you do all of this and you are invited to shows, try to get backstage access. Ask the brand or PR contact if there is such an opportunity. Don’t be afraid, they love the publicity. This is also a great way to build a relationship with the brand and to learn more of what happens behind the scenes at fashion shows.

So guys there you have it. I think I have said a lot in this post. Fashion week is supposed to be a fun time, so have fun. Bring your camera, iphone, a pair of comfortable shoes in your bag, business cards, and good vibes to enjoy the presentations. And please be mindful that not all your readers care about NYFW. All of your social media posts shouldn’t be so focused on NYFW so that you neglect some of your audience’s needs. Well, that’s just me—I like balance in my life. I hope these tips help and see you next week!!!!

Alecia xoxo
Carpe Diem