The Bloggers Guide to New York Fashion Week

So you wanna go to New York Fashion Week? We’ll its not as hard as it looks. New York Fashion Week is probably the most exclusive of all the fashion weeks. The other fashion weeks are a cake walk compared to New York. I’ve been covering New York Fashion Week for 16 seasons (or 8 years). I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to New York Fashion Week or NYFW. There are 2 Ready-to-Wear collections each year one in February in which the Autumn/Winter collections are shown for the upcoming fall and in September when the Spring/Summer collections are shown for the upcoming Spring. So the clothes you see on the runway will be available to buy in 5-6 months. If you’ve ever wanted to know everything there is to know about New York Fashion Week, including attending.

[one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

 

TERMS TO KNOW

• Show Request — What you send to ask for an invitation to a fashion show
• Runway Show — Models walk the runway to present the clothing
• Presentation — Room is staged and models stand still while you walk around and view the clothing
• Standing Ticket — You are invited to the show but don’t have a seat, there’s a special area in the back behind the seats where your can stand and watch the show
• Priority Standing — After a person with a seat, you are next in line to get a seat if one becomes available, otherwise you will stand in the standing area
• Seat — A person has a seat at the show
• Barcode — To get into the shows, when you get an email invite it comes with a barcode that can be scanned at the door.
• AW or FW — Short for Autumn/Winter or Fall/Winter
• PR — Public Relations 
• Showroom — A place that holds pieces or collections of various designers so you can go any time of year and see the clothing/pieces up close
• Pull — Borrow Clothing from a Designer or Showroom

Wearing: Something by Sonjya Dress | Mango Top | Jil Sander Skirt | Newsboy Cap

 

[/one_half_last] [one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

[/one_half_last]

#NYFW Day 6 + 7 Recap: The most lit show of Fashion Week Studio 189 and the most breathtaking show Cong Tri and supporting my brother Christopher John Rogers 

[one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

How to Get Fashion Show Invitations

In order to get an invite you must first have a legitimate reason why you want to attend. If you have a job or a side hustle in the fashion industry or closely related (like lifestyle or beauty) then that’s a plus. Usual invites include: stylists, buyers, fashion editors, designers, valued customers, bloggers, influencers, photographers, press and any occupations in that realm. Unless you’re friends with the designer or a mega celebrity don’t count on anyone just sending you an invitation. Closed mouths don’t get fed. You actually have to ask for an invitation and the term for it is a Show Request. You find the PR (public relations firm) that represents the designer or brand and you send a Show Request. If you’r unsure as to what you should include in your show request check out my Perfect Pitch Template to Cover Fashion Weeks. There are tips for each fashion week (New York, Milan, Paris and London). I’ve been to them all and I have the tea. The Template is the exact letter you can email the PR, Designer or Brand and update it with your own information to get a fashion show invitation. This is what I use when I request fashion show invitations. There are 2 types of fashion shows: an actual runway show and a presentation. A runway show is self explanatory a presentation is when the room is staged and the models are dressed and stand still while you walk around and view the clothing. 

The Perfect Pitch Template for Covering Fashion Weeks Includes:

Sample Template Letter

The Perfect App to Track Your Pitch Emails

Tips on how to get into all 4 Fashion Weeks: New York, Milan, Paris + London 

The Website to Join to get Electronic Fashion Show Invites Easily

How to Find the Correct Public Relations Information for Designers/Brands

Tips on the Best Time to Request an Invitation

[/one_half_last]

[one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

Ask Not What They Can Do for You

If you are requesting a fashion show invite as a blogger or influencer you need to offer the designer or brand something in return. That something is press. You have to promote that designer/brand in some way, form or fashion using your platforms. Don’t think about what the brand/designer can do for you, but what you can do for them. Are you going to review the show on your blog, post a photo on Instagram tagging them, do a Instagram Live, perhaps some Instastories or a video, maybe a few tweets? You need to offer something. You can’t just go, sit, and take up prime real-estate usually reserved for fashion magazine editors and not actually promote the brand/designer. I always did a show review in a timely fashion and would email my posts to the PR of the designer/brand so they’d keep me in mind for any collaborations or future events. 

Where to Stay

For the past few seasons the shows have taken place in Tribeca, Soho and Meatpacking neighborhoods of New York City. There are also plenty of off-site shows, usually on the West Side between 20th-30th street. So those are the best areas to stay if you’re looking for proximity to the fashion show venues. A few blogger friendly hotels include:

• The Arlo Hotel
• The Smyth Hotel
• The Roxy Hotel
• The James New York Soho
• Nomo Soho
• 11 Howard 
• Soho Grand
• 50 Bowery Hotel

In case you’re interested in pitching for a compensated hotel stay, check out The Perfect Pitch Template Package to Brands, Hotels and to Cover Fashion Weeks.

Wearing: Mara Hoffman Skirt + Top | Jil Sander Boots | Anthropologie Jacket | Staud Clear White Bag

[/one_half_last]

[one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

Where to Eat

It’s essential during New York Fashion Week to try and stay healthy and maintain healthy eating habits, especially during the February shows. It’s super easy to get sick during this time and a lot of people do by the 3rd or 4th day and have to stop attending shows midway through because of sickness or exhaustion. Making sure to eat is an important part of New York Fashion Week self-care.

The Butcher’s Daughter — The Best Healthy Juices, go for the Yellow Juice or the Green Juice. They are 100% Vegetarian and mostly vegan and gluten free. My favorite item on the brunch menu is the Huevos Locos. 

Bubby’s — If you’re a carnivore and love friend chicken (i mean real crispy, well seasoned fried chicken) then head to Bubbys. Luckily they have a Tribeca location right around the corner from Spring Studios and a Meatpacking location right up the street from Industria Studios. Their chicken biscuit is the stuff dreams are made of and their side salad is refreshing and delicious. Anytime I eat there which is almost everyday during New York Fashion Week, I get the Turmeric and Ginger Immunity Boost shoot. I swear it’s kept me healthy all week. 

What to Pack & Wear

I’d recommend collaborating with some of your favorite brands to borrow or pull clothes from showrooms. If you want to know the ins and outs of borrowing clothing from designers, check out this Template Package. There are a few things you need to know before borrowing directly from designers and some showrooms. But lots of indie and up and coming designers know that bloggers/influencers attend fashion week and get their photos taken to be featured in print magazines or online. It’s a win win situation for them and for you. You get something cool to wear and they get press, including press from your social media platforms. 

If you’re not in the market for pulling or borrowing cloths then here’s what you need to know about New York Weather. In February it’s cold. Pack bright and colorful outerwear and coats. Photographers love BRIGHT COLORS and a GOOD COLORBLOCK situation. It’s almost a sure thing if you’re wearing something super bright that you’ll be photographed. Also invest in a chic hat, a brightly colored beanie or a super stylish felt fedora. The wind is brutal in February and you’re going to want your head covered. Always pack a pair of flats. I’d go with a good pair of Ugg Moccasins that you can easily fit in your oversized bag. Yes, you’ll need an oversized chic bag to hold your heels, camera, water bottle and anything else you may need. [/one_half_last]

SHOP NEW YORK FASHION WEEK WINTER ESSENTIALS

---

[one_half padding=”0 15px 0 0″]

 

 

 

Shop NYFW Tech Essentials

 

[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

 

Useful Blog Posts: Over the years I’ve written a ton of blog posts about things to do in New York City, places to visit, places to take photos and of course places to eat. Check out the Lifestyle Category for more details or check out some of the blog posts below.

Best NYC Brunch Spots

Top 5 Places to Take Blog Photos

7 Places to Take the Best OOTD Photos

An afternoon at 11 Howard Hotel

The Smyth Tribeca Hotel Review

Discover Chinatown with 50 Bowery Hotel 

New York + Paris Fashion Week Blog Posts + Videos

[/one_half_last]

Make sure to head over to my Youtube Channel to check out all my Fashion Week Vlogs from Paris to New York! You can also check out my ETSY shop for my templates packages and ebooks for Bloggers, Influencers and Business Owners. 

Sign up for our Bimonthly Newsletter for Giveaways, Sale Alerts and Fashion Tips

xx

Monroe

Don’t forget to Check out Steele Magazine ISSUE 5