Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovegrey
I have been to fashion week twice now, and I'm only 16. I hope I can be of some help!
- You never 'just get invited' to a show. I'm a blogger and all the shows I have attended were from brands that I have blogged about. I tend to blog about a brand and then email the PR people and start forming a relationship. From there, I ask to be kept updated about news and events. If you're lucky they will put you on their invite list. If not, it doesn't hurt to ask. You'd be surprised where just simply asking a question can get you! I have been invited to the Oscar de la Renta showrooms simply because I just asked if I could after blogging about Oscar. It was great! I highly, highly doubt that they will put you in the front row, but if it's a brand I truly love I would have no problem standing. (hey, they say th photographrs pit is the best seat in the house anyway. haha)
- Age is just a number. You are never too young! I attended my first fashion show at 15.
- I try to attend the Independent Fashion Blogger conference every 6 months. You make the BEST contacts there. There is so much going on surrounding the conference and the attendees, you might score an invite to something! (also, it's held at Milk studios. The Vena Cava show was in the same venue while I was there!) My friend was there with me, and she ended up sitting next an employee from Proenza Schouler who invited her to the show! She also got invited to Diesel!
- Never beg. Asking is fine, begging is not. After I already have a relationship with a brand and I know NYFW is coming up, I can tell them I would love to photograph the collection or do a write up of the show on my site. Letting you attend their event should be beneficial for both parties.
- Academy of Art University has their fashion show at Lincon Center, and if you write an essay they might let you attend if you win. I have won twice now, and it's a fantastic show with top models and celebrities.
- Network like crazy. I got invited to the show of a designer because she was a friend of a friend. Networking is key!
-Don't turn up your nose at young designers. New designers are much more willing to let you attend. It's good press for them and fun for you! You can report about the new talent online.
Remember, if you don't get invited to any shows, don't stress! I love just chilling out at Lincon Center just because of the atmosphere. (This is how I befriended an editor at NYLON. We were just sitting on the fountain and started talking.) Shows aren't all they are cracked up to be. Yes, it's nice to feel invited and 'on the list.' But the people can often be so catty and pushy. Attending a 15-min show is quite a lot of hassle! In the end, remember the real reason for fashion shows in publicity for the brand. If you are actually determined to see a collection, just wait until it comes out on style.com a couple min after the show. I hope that helps. Good luck!
-Justine
|
THIS.
yes, it is fun to attend the shows and see the spectacle and the clothes, but at the end of the day, it is work...and it helps to having been working towards this the entire year...
all of your suggestions are very good...
i have also attended the IFB conference, which is a great place to make connections...
emailing the PR people from a brand is another great way to garner an invite (it helps if you've been promoting the brand throughout the year, and not just emailing for an invite around fashion week)...
yes, you will probably end up in standing room, but as a show is closer to the start time, the PR team/volunteers do have people come down to fill in seats, so you may end up in the 2nd or 3rd row...