Sweater (comes in 7 colors! More styles here and here) | Skirt | OTK boots | Cross-body Purse | Watch
Photography: Deanna Kourtney Photography
New York Fashion Week is almost upon us! I’m sad I won’t be attending this time, but I’m hoping to go back again in the future. I always thought that you’d either have to be a Hollywood A-lister or extremely wealthy to attend New York Fashion Week, but I’m happy to say that’s not the case! I attended NYFW for the fall/winter shows in February 2017 and the spring/summer shows in September of 2017. If you’re worried about how you can get into shows as a newbie blogger, don’t give up just yet! My first fashion week I attended with about 4,000 Instagram followers and my second with only 5K-6K. I’m happy to share my tips and tricks with those in the same position as I was. It can be so intimidating to be surrounded by those who are much bigger than you! Here’s my advice if you’re wondering how to attend new york fashion week as a small blogger.
Once the schedule has been released for the week, plan out which designers you would like to watch and how many days you’ll be there. Keep in mind that the smaller designers will be towards the beginning of the week, so that’s what you should aim for. The New York Fashion Week website provides in-depth details about the designers that you can remember for later when making your decisions. If you’re trying to decide between going in February or September, I always recommend the former if you’re a smaller blogger. The weather is usually a deterrent for most and it’s a lot more low key! I was able to secure way more invites to Fashion Week for Spring/Summer. You’ll also want to sign up for GPS Radar– a free nyfw app. It streamlines all of your events and RSVP’s into one place.
LinkedIn becomes a great friend here. After googling which PR companies are in charge of the designers, find the email addresses of the PR agencies to contact them for invites. Try and contact them 4-6 weeks before the show. If you’re apart of blogging communities such as RewardStyle, they have full lists available for you too! Keep the emails short and sweet. You can imagine how many emails they receive to attend these shows! Include a media kit, perhaps a link to a blog post covering a local fashion week as an example, and a brief message explaining who you are. Try to get invited to as many shows as possible and don’t sweat it if you don’t get invited to the biggest designers. I sent out probably 100+ emails and didn’t receive a response to every single one. Celebrate the wins and try and build a relationship with them for the next time!
Fashion Week is such a great networking opportunity! I consider myself to be an affordable fashion blogger who posts about accessible style. If you’re wondering if it makes sense to go, it definitely does. Pitch beauty brands like Loreal or Drybar to work with them while you’re in the city. As a smaller blogger, I worked with Red Dress Boutique and other local brands to save money on cute outfits for the trip. I also saved money by pitching smaller hotel chains or boutique hotels for complimentary stays. Ultimately, I got to stay with the one-of-a-kind Yotel, which is right by Times Square! Try and find other blog-worthy experiences while you’re in the city and see how you can create multiple posts out of your trip.
This will be your best resource for a new blogger. I’ll admit in February, most of my invites to shows were because other bloggers were too tired to make all of theirs! I was able to see Jeremy Scott (designer for Beyonce) and more in my first experience. They’ll be able to share PR contacts, hotel recommendations, and more!
Are you attending NYFW this year? I hope this was helpful for those trying to figure out how to get into a fashion week in the future! You can also always reach out to me if you have any questions in the comments below.
Check out my recap of Spring/Summer 18 NYFW and Winter/Fall 17 NYFW.
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Ahhh my dream would be to attend NYFW in September this year!! I’m a newbie blogger but I plan on following all your tips!
Thanks so much!
Check out my blog if you’d like.
http://www.rowdabaker.com
Instagram: @rowdabaker
I’m so glad it was helpful! Definitely pin this for later to refer to. :)
Great article! Very informative for a beginner blogger. Love your style!
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful. :)
Loving your style! You are so chic. Would you like to follow for follow on Bloglovin? :)
Xx,
http://beatricebalaj.com/
Such a great post gal! I really appreciate you sharing all of this.
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
I went in September and loved it! These are such good tips!
Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com
This was very helpful, thank you! I only have 3,000 Instagram followers but I took a risk and booked my flight out to NYC. Been sending pitch emails all week, no luck yet, but I’ll be sure to use some of these tips!
YES! That’s so exciting! Let me know what happens. Try and find some other fashion week events happening around the city that might not be runway shows that you can attend too!
This is literally my dream!! I am so happy you were able to attend. One day!! :) But, it’s amazing to know that it isn’t as insanely hard to get in as I thought! Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks!
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
I was under the impression that these events were invitation only, I am so glad you cleared that up. Thanks for the great tips girl!
This is great to know because as a smaller blogger, it can definitely be intimidating wondering if you’ll event get into a show. I really want to go this fall if I can swing it!
xo, Kristina
Yes! Definitely, pin this for later to refer to it. Good luck girl!
I live in NYC, so we should meet up if you come here for Feb NYFW!
I’d love to go back to NYFW in the fall this year! It was an amazing time last year and I made so many memories. These are really great tips!
Would love to hear more on the process of finding PR companies! I struggle with this and never know how to find the best contact.
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
Great question Katherine! I either google and see what comes up, but I find the most luck with LinkedIn and asking fellow blogging communities for help. Are you a part of any Facebook groups? Other bloggers are your best resource! Try and find something you can trade with a blogger for that information to make it more of a fair trade-off.
You look so good in that outfit. Love the colors together. I have not been to NYFW in years. It is so hectic around that time.
❥ tanvii.com
These are great tips! I’m planning to go this year and this would be my first year!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Great post! I’ve been going since 2013, hope to see you there!
XOXO
Cathy
NYFW is always such a fun and whirlwhind experience! Cute outfit girl.
This was so insightful! I couldn’t go this season but maybe in fall or even next year! I’ll definitely remember these tips when I do go!!
-Caitlin
http://Www.sparklesandsunshineblog.com
Yay! I’m so glad! Definitely pin it then so you can come back to it!
I absolutely love this post! It has always been a dream to attend NYFW and you’ve made it seem so possible.
Yay! I’m so glad Jojo. That’s exactly how it was for me too. It’s not as mysterious as one would think! :)