How to Attend New York Fashion Week

By: Bahynah Hughes

Although most Spring/Summer 2021 runway shows have been canceled or converted into a digital format because of the pandemic, people are hopeful that next season there will be more physical shows to attend.

In honor of fashion month, we have gathered tips for getting into New York Fashion Week. Whether you want advice on how to snag your invites for next season or if you are just curious about how everyday people can attend fashion shows, read on for four ways to attend New York fashion week.

Research and read the fashion week calendar ahead of time

The Fashion Week schedule gets published about a month before all the events begin. There are many sites to choose from, but in our opinion, FWO and CFDA are popular and reliable options. Check the schedule regularly and take note of the different designers that are doing shows. Please note that some shows are more exclusive and remain unlisted from the public calendar, so you may have to do a little extra digging to find them.

Send cold emails to PR companies for invites

About two weeks before fashion week begins, use Google and LinkedIn to find out which PR companies represent each designer and send out personalized emails for all of the shows that you want to attend. Introduce yourself to the brand but keep the email succinct and to the point. This also is the perfect time to leverage any fashion-related writing, social media posts, or work experience in your email. Be sure to mention any value you can bring to the brand. We recommend sending emails to as many contacts as you can– don’t expect to get a response from every PR company you reach out to.  

Download and get accepted into GPS radar

GPS Radar is a free NYFW app that streamlines all of the NYFW events and RSVPs into one place. The invite-only app is essential for getting into some shows, but it is a little tricky to get accepted into. To get access to the GPS radar community you either have to be extended an invite from a brand that uses the platform or work in the fashion industry at a reputable company. Once access is granted, you can request invitations and RSVP to other shows that might be unlisted on public sites easily through the app. 

Volunteer

If cold emailing is not your thing, volunteering to help set up for NYFW allows you to not only attend runway shows but also get behind the scenes access to the stage, models, and production team. You can find these volunteer positions on LinkedIn, Eventbrite, and Google as Fashion month approaches.