Ahh, September is upon us. The season of pumpkin spice, kids dreading the end of summer, and most importantly, new designs from the fashion gods. Not only does the ninth month of the year signify the release of the fashion world's biblical equivalent, but it also, makes way for the highly coveted New York Fashion Week. With designers scrambling to get their Spring/Summer '16 collections ready for viewing and critique, fashion week-goers are anxious to see how the new changes made to this legendary week of events will affect this season and so forth.
Breaking away from a long-time partnership with Mercedes-Benz and leaving its previous home of Lincoln Center, NYFW is under new management by talent firm IMG, which has stepped up to the plate to take command of the planning for the gist of the NYFW festivities. While the Skylight at Moynihan Station has been chosen to stand as the new 'tents' in conjunction with Milk Studios and Skylight Clarkson Sq, many shows are scattered all around the Big Apple.
Even with all the big changes happening this season, some things are sure to remain the same. For this reason, I've decided to prep first-timer NYFW attendees with this LOUD guide just in time for fashion week. Enjoy!
Check out my tips for attending NYFW after the jump!
I actually didn't wear this to fashion week, but I wore it during fashion week. Does that count?
Wear what the fuck you want
This may sound like a given, but from what I've witnessed and experienced, it's not. As a first-timer, it's easy to start asking yourself, "What can I wear here?" versus what you'll soon start asking, "What am I going to wear?" It's fucking fashion week. You're going to fashion shows. There are zero rules. Don't think you have to fit into some type of safe agenda in fear of receiving some glaring fashion snob stares if you do otherwise. Take it as a compliment that your ensemble was worthy of a second look. Staring is part of the process: you will receive some and you will dole some out yourself. Isn't that the point?
Get there early
As a first-time attendee, you may not have enough pull to receive an assigned seat initially on your invites and that's OK. When you arrive at a show, there are usually these things called standby lines. There is NO guarantee you will always get into a show if you do not have an assigned seat, just know that. Even still, it is best to arrive early to get as close to the front of the line as possible to increase your chances of getting into the show. At times, fillers will be needed to take the place of anticipated attendees who ended up being a no show, which is where the standby line comes in. There have been several times where I've gone from having no assigned seat to sitting front row with a gift bag. You never know with fashion week.
Plan out your day's events ahead of time
NYFW is packed with events. From after parties to presentations to, of course, shows, there's always some where to be. With that being said, it's important to know when and where you plan on being to ring in the new season. With shows taking place all over, it's easy to overlook that you haven't alotted enough time to get across town for the next show. Don't miss out on events for lack of planning.
Materialism and dicks will be on the rise
I remember during my first fashion week, I was in the standby line with some typical fashion bloggers giving me snooty stares for not wearing the standard uniform. When you see them, you'll know what I'm talking about because they wear the same basic attire of some safe heels, a dress, and a clutch. There might be some variations, but their eagerness and ego will help them stick out like a sore thumb. Beyond the bloggers, there are some fashion week vets you might run into who are drunk with the aesthetics of the season and being able to be apart of it. Expect them and pay them no mind. There are a lot of dope people who attend NYFW festivities; don't let the bad apples give the whole event a bad rep and ruin your experience.
Don't be a dick
Yes, you've made it to fashion week. Yay, you! Guess what? You're a small fish in a big pond. I don't care if you're a blogger, model, designer, high-profile photog, blah blah blah; don't believe for one second that your access or the clothes you choose to adorn yourself with give you some type of magical access to dick powers. Stop it. Come back down to Earth. I get it, the fashion world can be beautiful and chic. At the end of the day, clothes can't disguise an ugly personality.
Me at the Pandora Bosco booth during MBFW getting my slayage on
Network!
In the past, I've run into models with ads in Times Square, magazine editors, and even, Facebook friends I've never met in person at fashion week events. You never know who you could be sitting next to or talking to in line. Don't be scared to strike up a conversation. If you like someone's purse, compliment them on it, genuinely. If time allows it, stick around after the show ends and meet new people while you hit up the Bosco photo booth or some other vendor. At the same time, don't be thirsty looking for connects, just be open to meeting new people and making new connections.
Miz Kane
