Shop the Look:
If you’ve been following along over the last few years, you know that I make it a point to attend some shows during New York Fashion Week. Going to Fashion Week was a dream I’ve had since high school: I interned at a few big fashion houses my junior year of college and got the chance to work several shows, and after my internship wrapped, I commuted to NYFW during my senior year to assist with more shows as well.
I always thought I would end up at NYFW on the PR side, AKA, putting together the shows. While interning, I found that fashion PR wasn’t necessarily the best fit for me, and I gravitated toward marketing roles after graduating from college. I had no idea I’d end up going to NYFW as a blogger, but here I am.
NYFW OUTFIT IDEA DETAILS:
Plaid Coat (Similar Here and Here) | Turtleneck | Cropped Flare Denim | SImilar Sock Boots | Quilted Handbag | Tassel Earrings
What Are the Bad Reasons to Go to NYFW?
My friend Dana has talked about this in the past, but after going to NYFW as a blogger for a few seasons, I’ve become a little disheartened. It’s become a circus, and people aren’t focusing on why Fashion Week exists in the first place: to preview new collections from designers that have spent countless months designing them. For some bloggers (not all), they view it as a week to dress up, be seen at parties, and capitalize on the free swag brands and showrooms hand out. Not. Cool.
I hit my breaking point this weekend when I was scrolling in a Facebook group for bloggers who are headed to NYFW. Someone replied to my comment: “Am I the only person who goes to NYFW and doesn’t care about the shows?”
Instead of people disagreeing with this blogger, other girls chimed in to say how much they disliked going to shows. One girl wrote, “I hate how they always run late and only last for 10 minutes.” Another: “I like going to NYFW mainly for the parties and the chance to explore NYC.”
Honestly? I was embarrassed to call myself a blogger at that very minute. As someone who’s worked countless amounts of hours producing these shows, I would be pretty livid honestly if I had ungrateful bloggers taking up seats at the show I worked on. I’d opt to invite someone else that would have appreciated the experience and was willing to cover it.
Not All Bloggers Have This Mindset
Despite the examples I’ve shared above, there are thousands of other bloggers who appreciate a good show: myself included. I remember watching Style Network (RIP) in middle/high school, and watching the runway shows they’d put up late at night. I started my first actual blog on Myspace (RIP) where I would round up some of the best trends I spotted on the runway. Other bloggers at NYFW think I’m odd for actually bringing my DSLR camera into the shows, and not taking grainy cell phone photos of the clothes. I’ve had some other bloggers teach me the right settings to use on my DSLR so that I, myself, could capture gorgeous runway images. We’ll sit and catch up after the shows, and buzz over what our favorite looks were and what trends we’re frequently seeing on the runways. Not all of us are bad.
A Wake-Up Call
To my fellow bloggers: PR companies and print magazines are already on the fence about us. Blogging is a pretty oversaturated field as well. If you don’t enjoy going to shows, don’t accept an invite from a brand. Let someone else who genuinely cares go and cover the experience. If you’re on the fence about going to a show, look up the designer: see if they fit your brand. If they don’t, politely decline. Again: there are thousands of bloggers who would gladly take your spot, and likely enjoy the experience. And lastly, in your recaps? It wouldn’t hurt to share details about the shows you went to. As much as I love seeing a good Fashion Week OOTD, quite often I see bloggers only talk about themselves in NYFW recaps, and not about any of the trends they spotted during the week.
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So glad you wrote this post. When I saw your tweet, I was like YES THANK YOU! I remember my first show at NYFW and I was so excited I thought I could cry. I had always dreamed about being there and getting to do that. I never once dreamed about attending a party…… I stopped going for this exact reason too. If I ever go back, it’s JUST shows for me.
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
PS please share your runway show DSLR tips bc I can NEVER get a good photo.
Just YES to this post. I LOVED going to a few shows with you in Sept and totally agree on going for the right reasons. Such an awesome post!
xx,
Lauren
Lauren Elyce
That coat is insane! It’s so perfect for winter. 🙂 Also I totally agree about your stance on shows. I have never been to a NYFW show, but I would kill to go. Fashion to me is an art, and the show is it’s stage. I would feel incredibly blessed to see the work of my favorite designers! Hope to go someday!
xoxo
Annie
Loving your outfit. I am so in love with this coat, the boots, the bag and the everything 😀
This outfit is so spot on! Love your perspective on Fashion Week too…so true that bloggers should only go if it’s the right opportunity for them because blogging is all about authenticity!
Such a cute outfit!!! Love those boots!!! You rock it girl!
Girl YASSSSSS! So much YASSS RN! TBH this is why I hated my first (and only) NYFW experience. It felt like a rat race and people immediately looking you up on social to see if you had enough followers for them to even be thinking of speaking to you. It was super disheartening for those who truly just want the NYFW experience… not the NYC experience.
This has been on my mind the past two times I went to NYFW. There were people who were literally there just to take street photos and attend parties. And then at the showa they would be so preoccupied on their phones instead of watching the show. There are so many others in the industry that go because they care about the fashion and the designers. But sometimes it’s those type of people who end up in the seats instead of those who actually care.
Could not agree more!! I haven’t made it to NYFW yet, but it has been on my bucket list for a long long time and I hate to think of certain people ruining the reputation of so many of us. I would KILL to be invited and to hear that some people couldn’t care less breaks my heart. I’ll get there one of these days! xox E
I’m not a fashion blogger, but I am always in awe of how designers create styles and trends out of nothing. I would actually love to go a NYFW show to see the way their designs come alive! I hate that so many bloggers go to the shows and focus on the wrong things, but hopefully your post opened up their eyes. Loved this!
India
Booksandbighair.com
I so agree with this. I’ve only been once and the experience was amazing. Being in the shows is a completely different experience that everyone should want to see. Glad you shared this post because many have forgotten the reason of it all.
xo
Jasmine
Oh man, that makes me sad to hear that some bloggers are taking invites to shows who don’t want to be there! They absolutely are short, but those few minutes are so exciting! And even the wait isn’t bad – I enjoyed people watching, and using the time to just relax.
And agreed with @laceyannedouthat:disqus – the amount of girls who judged me and others based on the numbers game was ridiculous! My friend had someone abruptly end a conversation with her after she saw her followers on Instagram. I feel bad for people like that.
Wow that’s interesting to hear. I would love to go if I got the chance and it’s the shows I’d be ken to go for but I’m in Australia so that makes most of these shows pretty much impossible at the moment. By the way I love your coat!
Amy | Style Within Grace
http://stylewithingrace.com
You know how I feel about this topic…and I’m SO happy you wrote this post. I’m so sick of select bloggers just coming to NYFW just to say they’re in New York. From someone who works in the industry, the amount of time that goes into a show is unbelievable, and for bloggers to take advantage of designers really rubs me the wrong way. Thank you for sharing these words, I 100% back all of your opinions! xx
The Champagne Edit
Yikes, I totally would love to go to fashion week FOR the shows not just the parties so I’m definitely not in the camp you’re discussing. I totally agree with you here.
I agree with your take-away message here: If you don’t enjoy going to shows, don’t accept an invite from a brand. Let someone else who genuinely cares go and cover the experience.
However, there are so many reasons why someone would potentially choose to go to NYFW. The experience, opportunity to meet people in the fashion world, the parties, network, explore NYC, visit friends, enjoy the energy of the city, etc etc – doesn’t necessarily make them the “wrong” reasons to go to NYFW. To each their own – everyone is unique and have different motives for different things (ha, obviously) But I think I understand your underlying message here 🙂
The shows at fashion week are my favorite! I love seeing all the beautiful pieces! I saw those same comments and thought the same thing.
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
I LOVED this post! Thank you for sharing. I’ve also worked many NYFW shows (Fashion PR girl here), and the amount of sweat, blood and tears that goes into producing shows is no joke!
How fun you are!! You can tell by the pictures. I would certainly like an invite to something like this. How much fun I would have.
WOW!!!! I am so glad to have stumbled upon this post today. TOO many have been going for the wrong reasons. It is sad. I cannot wait for the day I have the privilege to go and enjoy some awesome shows! Hopefully September!!
Every time I hear about this I just don’t get why bloggers wouldn’t want to go to the shows. That’s all I care about with nyfw and not only have I never been but I’m not a blogger. So I look forward to streaming as many as possible online. I totally agree with you and thank you for sharing 🙂
Love this look on you! The booties and purse are cute! Xx-Doran@HauteBeautyGuide
That sucks that they think like that! As someone who went to design school, interned for designers as well. I WOULD LOVE to attend NYFW I love the hustle and bustle. Especially if you’ve ever worked behind the scenes of a show! AHH pure adrenaline rush