How to get tickets to New York Fashion Week 2019?

Imagine this. You’re taking your emails one morning and you read this: “You are invited to see Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW)”. Wow! If you’re a fashion blogger I bet that would make you start dancing the macarena. I don’t know one fashionista that wouldn’t be happy to attend a designer’s runway show at NYFW. Oh, yeah… Countless Buzz. But unless you work in the industry or in press, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a hold of tickets for the leading designers’ shows. I know, bummer! However, there are some runways and fashion-fun events you can actually attend. Yes, some fashion shows are open to the public. If you’re a beauty or fashion blogger, you could even get invited by some designers, and collaborate with them. 

Here’s everything you need to know about NYFW 2019 and how to get tickets to the shows as a blogger.

See, I have done some homework for you. 😊

When is NYFW this year?

New York Fashion Week runs from Friday February 8th to Thursday February 13th, 2019.

Where are the shows presented?

The shows are presented at different locations in the city and these venues change each Fashion Week. Though, many shows take place at Spring Studios, which is located on 6 St Johns Lane. Twice a year during NYFW (February and September), the entire building hosts catwalks and parties.

Credit photo: Spring Studios

The show locations for the people in the fashion industry and media are usually kept secret and the addresses appear only on invitations. However, the open-to-the-public shows are often publicized and you can find out where events are happening on the Fashion Week Online (FWO) schedule ––Here. The list is not complete at the moment, but information is usually available a few weeks prior the events.

Things you should know and do before NYFW

There are two types of shows presented during the NYFW: Industry and open-to-the-public shows. The former are reserved for buyers and the media. These are the most coveted shows and places are limited. Even journalists have every so often a hard time getting seats.

Credit photo: Forbes

The shows accessible to the public sometimes require a subscription to FWO in order to be able to get tickets. Subscription fees are $10 per year.

If you need an hotel room while you’re visiting New York, you should reserve in advance. Otherwise, you risk finding yourself in an hotel located far from the events. Contact some fellow bloggers to see if they are attending NYFW and ask if they would like to share a room with you. This way you both can reduce your expenses.

I also recommend that you apply & download GPS Radar. This App will allow you to access hundreds of fashion brands. Plus, it is often the tool designers/PR companies are using to send you your tickets. While you’re at it, get Priv, too. This App offers on-demand beauty services such as a blowout or a manicure, which can be useful if you schedule a photo shoot.

Glamorous and fun but…

On Instagram, NYFW looks glamorous and fun. Yeah, It sure is. But in reality, it can also be exhausting. And it has its fair share of frustrations. For example, chances are you’ll be waiting. Some shows start right on time, but often shows are delayed.

Expect to stand in line. A lot. First, outside the building, and then once inside you’ll stand in line (again!) before the show begins. 

Then, depending on the type of ticket you’ve got, you’ll be either assign to a “Standing”, “Priority Standing” or, if you’re lucky, to a “Seated” place. Yay! You are in. Congrats. Sometimes, you stand in line and don’t even get to see the show! This happened to a blogger I know. The event had been overbooked and she got there only a few minutes before the show.

Advice: Be there at least 30 minutes before the event and wear stylish yet comfortable shoes. Stay Zen. Who knows? You might make new friends while you wait.

If you do not like crowds nor waiting in line (like me), you can always watch the runway shows streamed live on FWO ––Here.

How can you get tickets?

So, you still want to attend NYFW but you wonder how to get tickets. No worries. I’ll help you with this. There are three ways. Well, four actually ––If you are willing to consider volunteer work. But I won’t talk about this option in this post.

• You can buy tickets for shows accessible to the public via FWO ––See link above.

• You can also purchase tickets through some of the producers who create runway shows during the NYFW (for example, IMG and The Society). The fees can be pretty pricy though. They range from $50 to $1,800 US dollars for a VIP pass (among the privileges, you don’t have to wait in line). The access is strictly limited to shows produced by the company though.

• If you’re an influencer (Read: a blogger or youtuber with a following), you can get invited to attend some industry events. Even as a fashion/beauty blogger with less then 5K followers you could get your hands on tickets. While you can’t expect a Chanel invitation, it’s not an impossible mission to see interesting NYFW shows. Submit an application to the producers ––See the list on FWO, or the brands/designers (see link above to GPS Radar for PR contacts). Note that an invitation from a producer doesn’t guarantee access to a catwalk (unless you have a VIP pass, of course). You still have to request tickets from the brands/designers. They are the ones who will ultimately decide whether or not you get to see their show.

Advice: Your email should be short and simple. Say who you are, what you propose to do (write a post about the collection, make a video, etc.), and briefly explain why they should let you attend their show. Reach out for brands/designers that are less well-known or who are in your city (It helps to start a relationship), and ask for an invite through their PR contact.

Credit photo: The Society

Here’s a scoop. The Society, an international renowned fashion producer, is presently looking for Press/Media, and awesome Fashion Bloggers to talk about their shows. To submit your candidacy, just fill out their form.

Which events and how many should you attend?

Well, that’s up to you really. Once you have decided the dates you’ll be going, look at the FWO schedule and select a few shows you would like to attend. Send a request to brands/PR companies for tickets and inquire about any possible collaborations. Don’t try to participate in every single events that are happening each day, otherwise, you will be exhausted. Instead, enjoy your NYFW experience and take the time to network with other bloggers and brands.

Plan your daily schedule

You’ve got invited to attend some shows. That’s great! Don’t forget to thank the brands/PR contacts and to confirm your tickets one week in advance. You should also plan your daily schedule, especially if you intend to visit some designer showrooms on the same day. Make sure to map out the locations ––So you’ll have enough time to get from one place to another. Remember? The events are spread out through the city.

Don’t stress. Some things aren’t worth biting your nails.

Advice: Take some time to relax, whether in a coffee shop or by sightseeing the city. For instance, get to the top of the Rockefeller Center (Hello gorgeous view and pics), take a walk in Dumbo and photograph the Brooklyn Bridge, visit a museum… You’ll have nice photos for your blog and great memories to cherish.

Enjoy your NYFW experience! And let me know how it went. Also, don’t hesitate to share your tips. #girlboss 

Credit: Photography of 3C Style by Annie Gaudreau – Illustration by Angie Ordonez – @thexostudio_

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