5 Tips To Get YOU into NYFW

Hi all,

Excited to chat today about a topic I get asked about a lot: how can someone attend New York Fashion Week? That’s right! Today, we’re looking at tips to get you into NYFW, whether you are a blogger, or non-blogger!

New York Fashion Week

So when is fashion week? New York Fashion Week takes place twice a year, in September and in February, with designers showing off the next season’s collections ahead of time. So in September we’re looking at Spring, and in February at Fall.

So you’ve decided you want to experience it all. You want to attend New York Fashion Week, but aren’t sure how? Great, I’m going to go into details on how to do it if you’re a blogger, and if you’re not a blogger - you can do it several ways. So let’s get started:

1. Ask yourself How can you contribute?

At the end of the day designers are showcasing their new collection for the very first time in this very small and intimate space. It’s seen as an honor to be invited. So if there’s no way you can contribute (or help the designer out in some way) it’s unlikely you’ll be invited.

Here are some people that are typically invited:

-Celebrities (pop up faces like Katie holmes etc).

-Editors of magazines

-Bloggers

-Sometimes you can buy a ticket for a fashion show. I know American Express has allowed access to some card members before. And check out fashionweekonline.com as they will list the events that you can buy tickets to.

-Enter a brand giveaway. Many bloggers and brands sometimes partner to drive awareness to the show and the collection. I did one with Cynthia Rowley this past year, and the winner got to go to the show and even meet Cynthia Rowley herself!

2. For bloggers in particular: wear the brand!

I know, rocket science, right? But if you don’t wear the brand, have not featured it on your main channels, or are not on-brand with the brand, then is it realistic to expect an invite? Probably not! So through the year, be sure to wear the brand, feature it and don’t be afraid to tag and/or send the picture to the brand. Build that relationship!

By the way, what do I mean by being on-brand? Well, if you’re a blogger that features afforable pieces only, under $20, let’s say, (nothing wrong with this, please note!), but you’re asking yourself why you didn’t get invited to Chanel in Paris… well, that’s not on-brand.

3. Do your research!

Where are the designers showing? What time? Who’s the agency of record for the brand?

Don’t be afraid to DM them, or visiting their site and doing some old-fashioned detective work!

4. Email the pr team or agency that handles the show no more than 3-4 weeks before.

Here’s what to write in the email:

-Mention the brand name of course. Please be specific in the email - don’t just say “I’m a huge fan of the brand”.

-Make it specific. Show examples and let them know you KNOW the brand! A copy/paste job won’t do well here.

-List examples of images or articles that you have featured or shown the brand on your Instagram, blog, or YouTube. Share conversion rates, and sales, if you have a good story to tell.

-Keep the email short because these people get 100’s of emails.

-And NO TYPOs please!

-if you don’t hear back follow up one week before the show.

5. IF you happen to score a nyfw invite, show up!

If you don’t go, the brands know! And you’ll be less likely to be invited next time! Oh and don’t sit in someone else’s seat unless someone puts you there. You may think they won’t notice but they do - they have pictures sometimes of everyone that is supposed to be on the front row.