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Blazer {old, almost identical from same retailer here} // Turtleneck // Jeans {from Zara, similar here} // Boots {old, similar here} // Purse // Earrings // Necklace {Tiffany & Co.} //
It can seem intimidating to go to NYFW if you don't have the biggest blog or Instagram following! You might be nervous, and thinking things like How can I get invited to shows and events when there are people with much bigger followings going? I was nervous too. Thankfully- the process to get connected with NYFW events wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Yes, it did take a lot of work, but it all paid off!
Gentry and I ended up attending three shows, one party (we were invited to a second one as well that we weren't able to make), one blogger meet-up, one NYC collaboration, and one showroom visit (Gentry had to do that solo as my flight had already left). I think that's not bad at all for our very first NYFW! It was a busy few days, but we also had plenty of time to shop, eat, and enjoy NYC in between NYFW events.
Gentry and I ended up attending three shows, one party (we were invited to a second one as well that we weren't able to make), one blogger meet-up, one NYC collaboration, and one showroom visit (Gentry had to do that solo as my flight had already left). I think that's not bad at all for our very first NYFW! It was a busy few days, but we also had plenty of time to shop, eat, and enjoy NYC in between NYFW events.
Okay- now time to share how I got invited to things, or found out about stuff going on! I'm all about sharing knowledge with y'all... I'm not going to give vague answers. You're going to find out exactly where I was able to find press contacts and invites to things! Community over competition to me means not hiding knowledge- if any of these can help you attend a future NYFW that will make me so happy. My biggest tip that I can offer for pitching yourself for shows or events is don't be afraid to follow up once or twice if you don't hear back right away! There are hundreds of hundreds of emails going out to these same press contacts from other influencers trying to secure invites, so don't be afraid to send a friendly reminder if you haven't heard back after one attempt.
1. rewardStyle Bloggers NYFW Facebook Group: If you're a fellow fashion or lifestyle blogger, I'm sure you've seen or are a member of the gigantic rS Bloggers group on FB! I think there are currently over 2,500 members in the main group. Anyways- there is a sub-group focused just on Fashion Week! I joined a couple months before my trip, and I found so much useful information in there. Gentry and I also found fun things to do from this group- we were able to secure a hair salon collaboration that we found from a post in this group, and we also got invited to a fun blogger meet-up at a rooftop bar that we found out about in here!
2. Fashion designers' websites: Most of the more prominent fashion brands that have shows at NYFW have a press email listed on their website! You just have to dig around a little to find it on each website. Wait until the official NYFW show schedule comes out, find the shows on the calendar that you'd like to go to, and then contact that designer's press or PR email listed on each of their websites!
3. The Riviere Agency: I found out about this PR agency through the rS NYFW Facebook group mentioned above! I reached out and pitched myself and I'm so glad that I did! Two out of our three shows that we went to came from The Riviere Agency. They actually sent additional invites to Gentry and I for a few more shows that we weren't able to make! They do a lot for NYFW and seem to really like working with bloggers of smaller followings, so don't be afraid to reach out to them!
4. Avant Collective: Another great PR agency to contact! They got ahold of my email address somehow a couple years ago, and had emailed some event invites for past September Fashion Weeks. I was never able to attend anything then, but thankfully I saved their email! It seems like they do a lot each NYFW. Avant Collective is how Gentry and I got our showroom visit. Unfortunately this got scheduled on Monday after I had to leave for the airport, but thankfully Gentry was able to go!
5. Eventbrite: This is a surprising place that where we found NYFW events! You won't see too many fashion shows listed here, but each season there are tons of NYFW parties, and a lot of them list tickets on Evenbrite. The best part? Many are free! Gentry and I found invites via Eventbrite to what looked like an awesome party for the Saturday night that we were there. We didn't end up going (we were so tired from that day that we needed a night of going to bed early!), but I know if I ever go again I'll definitely check Eventbrite.
6. GPS Radar: Definitely request to join GPS Radar if you aren't already a member! It's a private website where those that work in Fashion PR around the world frequently share designer updates and fashion show invitations. There are tons of opportunities listed on GPS Radar for both February and September NYFW, and you can send pitches for attending directly through the platform. GPS Radar can be a little tricky to get into- I was declined when I first applied! You apply through your Linkedin profile, and although I do list my blog on mine, my primary employment is my day job in radio so I feel like that's why I might have been initially declined. Thankfully I did get in later! Gentry and I found our third fashion show invite on here, and our second party invitation, for the Fashion Mingle party.
I hope this was all helpful to you if you're thinking about attending an upcoming NYFW. You can pin this post and save for later- and then whenever you decide to go, let me know if you're successful in reaching out with any of the things I listed!
And if you're also a smaller blogger like me and not sure if you should go or not- DO IT! NYFW truly is a once-in-a-lifetime type experience, and as Gentry and I learned there are tons of shows, events and parties that are open to bloggers of all following sizes! Plus- who doesn't love a trip to NYC?
Next up for the NYFW posts will be a full recap of our first day in New York (which was the busiest day) - expect that later this week!
God Bless,
xoxo Annaliese
1. rewardStyle Bloggers NYFW Facebook Group: If you're a fellow fashion or lifestyle blogger, I'm sure you've seen or are a member of the gigantic rS Bloggers group on FB! I think there are currently over 2,500 members in the main group. Anyways- there is a sub-group focused just on Fashion Week! I joined a couple months before my trip, and I found so much useful information in there. Gentry and I also found fun things to do from this group- we were able to secure a hair salon collaboration that we found from a post in this group, and we also got invited to a fun blogger meet-up at a rooftop bar that we found out about in here!
2. Fashion designers' websites: Most of the more prominent fashion brands that have shows at NYFW have a press email listed on their website! You just have to dig around a little to find it on each website. Wait until the official NYFW show schedule comes out, find the shows on the calendar that you'd like to go to, and then contact that designer's press or PR email listed on each of their websites!
3. The Riviere Agency: I found out about this PR agency through the rS NYFW Facebook group mentioned above! I reached out and pitched myself and I'm so glad that I did! Two out of our three shows that we went to came from The Riviere Agency. They actually sent additional invites to Gentry and I for a few more shows that we weren't able to make! They do a lot for NYFW and seem to really like working with bloggers of smaller followings, so don't be afraid to reach out to them!
4. Avant Collective: Another great PR agency to contact! They got ahold of my email address somehow a couple years ago, and had emailed some event invites for past September Fashion Weeks. I was never able to attend anything then, but thankfully I saved their email! It seems like they do a lot each NYFW. Avant Collective is how Gentry and I got our showroom visit. Unfortunately this got scheduled on Monday after I had to leave for the airport, but thankfully Gentry was able to go!
5. Eventbrite: This is a surprising place that where we found NYFW events! You won't see too many fashion shows listed here, but each season there are tons of NYFW parties, and a lot of them list tickets on Evenbrite. The best part? Many are free! Gentry and I found invites via Eventbrite to what looked like an awesome party for the Saturday night that we were there. We didn't end up going (we were so tired from that day that we needed a night of going to bed early!), but I know if I ever go again I'll definitely check Eventbrite.
6. GPS Radar: Definitely request to join GPS Radar if you aren't already a member! It's a private website where those that work in Fashion PR around the world frequently share designer updates and fashion show invitations. There are tons of opportunities listed on GPS Radar for both February and September NYFW, and you can send pitches for attending directly through the platform. GPS Radar can be a little tricky to get into- I was declined when I first applied! You apply through your Linkedin profile, and although I do list my blog on mine, my primary employment is my day job in radio so I feel like that's why I might have been initially declined. Thankfully I did get in later! Gentry and I found our third fashion show invite on here, and our second party invitation, for the Fashion Mingle party.
I hope this was all helpful to you if you're thinking about attending an upcoming NYFW. You can pin this post and save for later- and then whenever you decide to go, let me know if you're successful in reaching out with any of the things I listed!
And if you're also a smaller blogger like me and not sure if you should go or not- DO IT! NYFW truly is a once-in-a-lifetime type experience, and as Gentry and I learned there are tons of shows, events and parties that are open to bloggers of all following sizes! Plus- who doesn't love a trip to NYC?
Next up for the NYFW posts will be a full recap of our first day in New York (which was the busiest day) - expect that later this week!
God Bless,
xoxo Annaliese
Such a valuable post! Thank you so much for sharing all of your tips bb! XO
ReplyDeletewww.cathclaire.com | Fashion + Lifestyle Blog
This is so helpful! Thank you so, so much! Maybe I’ll see you this fall.
ReplyDeleteXo Logan
https://peculiarporter.com
These are great tips! I didn't know you can get invited even without the big following.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a helpful post! I appreciate your transparency and willingness to share all the details :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fashion blogger, but I still know how big NYFW is in the fashion world, so I think it's really great that there is ways for "smaller" bloggers to get invited to events. I think it's beneficial for the events too, as you never know who will end up being the next big blogger, so if they establish a good relationship with you now, it will only grow in the future ☺️
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post!! That is awesome you got to enjoy so much!
ReplyDeleteWay to go! I'm so proud of you= sounds like you did awesome and got to see a lot!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a helpful post! I really want to make it to NYFW next year, so I'm definitely going to refer back!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great for people who are intimidated by the NYFW scene. It's never been a goal for me, but I know so many other bloggers who want to go so badly, but don't feel like they'd be able to get into anything!
ReplyDeleteYay! The post! ;) So fun to read friend!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips! Love NYFW but it's SO overwhelming sometimes and exhausting. May need to go back in September it's been a while. It's always such an inspiring trip!
ReplyDeletexo Jessica
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