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You’re killing it – you started your style blog, your Instagram is raking in followers and engagement, and now you’re wondering how to attend New York Fashion Week as a blogger, right?

I had such an amazing time at New York Fashion Week in February, and many of you have asked about how we secured our partnerships, got into shows, and planned our trip. Well, I’m laying it all out here! If you’re eager to attend New York Fashion Week as a blogger, here are my tips to planning your trip and getting the most out of the experience.

Secure a hotel collaboration early

This was the lynchpin of our NYFW experience – we knew once we locked in a hotel partnership it would be real! Research properties you want to represent 6-8 weeks in advance, and assemble a list of 10-15 properties in priority order. Reach out to your top five first, and follow up two days later if you don’t hear back. If a week goes by with no response, reach out to the next batch of five. Make sure you’re communicating what makes you and your audience different from other bloggers, why it’s a fit for the hotel, and the unique value you would bring to a collaboration. That said, keep your pitch email short and sweet! Be sure to share your media kit and links to examples of past hotel brand work as proof points.

Get on GPS Radar

An app created by Launch Metrics, GPS Radar is a one-stop shop to view events and press releases from designers and PR firms, and request and manage invitations. We secured about five of our eight show invitations through GPS Radar, so it’s pretty essential, however the application process is stringent. Make sure: 

1. You have an email address with your domain name (not a gmail account).
2. Your LinkedIn account reflects your role as a blogger.
3. You have a media kit ready to share if you’re denied.

Finally, if you’ve received show invitations but were denied on GPS Radar, save and email them to show that you already have a foot in the door. This is what I did to get accepted – I was denied twice, so don’t give up!

Pitch the shows

Check out the lineup of shows on the official NYFW or CFDA website and make note of the ones you want to pitch. Then go to the brands’ websites and research the appropriate PR contact to reach out to. You might need to look up their PR agencies and look up contact names on LinkedIn – keep at it! As a last resort, a DM on Instagram requesting to be put in touch with the right contact can work too. Just like with any pitch, keep your request short and sweet, and share your media kit.

Reach out to PR firms you’ve worked with before

If you have established relationships with brands or PR firms, don’t forget to reach out to them to see if they have any showrooms or events going on during NYFW. If they’re New York-based, ask for an in-person meeting – it’s a great way to build the relationship and learn about future opportunities.

Do your research

You did the work to get the invitations – now take the time to read up about the designers before each show! Get a feel for their aesthetic and history, and note down handles and hashtags in advance to make social coverage easier. It’s also a good idea to research what’s expected to be in trend for the season so you can add more depth to your fashion week commentary.

Be early

Budget enough time to get to shows at least 15 minutes early (30 minutes if you don’t have a seat). The way seating is handled at each show can be vastly different, depending on how many RSVPs the show had. At one of the shows I was seated for, my spot wasn’t nearly as good as a show I didn’t have a seat for, where I was in the very front of the standing room. So be prepared to go with the flow and scope out the best vantage point you can politely snag.

Bring snacks

Despite our best intentions to make time for meals, we found we just didn’t have the time! After some oatmeal in our hotel room, most days we didn’t get a chance to eat again until about 9pm. That’s because running around to three shows, an evening event, and a cocktail meet-up with other bloggers takes a lot of time in NYC! Pack snack bars and make sure you drink lots of water between shows.

Dress to impress

This is an opportunity to showcase your personal style! It’s also a great opportunity to create content (make time to take photos in your hotel and hotspots around the city) and get visibility. You never know when the person who compliments you in line might end up being your new Instagram bff, or a photographer pulls you aside for a photo because they love your look. Again, research the season’s fashion trends in advance; some street style photogs will be looking to cover those specifically.

Take the opportunity to meet new people

When else will you have the opportunity to meet so many other bloggers, stylists, and designers from across the country? Reach out to anyone you know will be in town for NYFW to meet up, organize a dinner with other bloggers, and be open to talking to people around you! I made some wonderful friends chatting to people in line at shows and folks seated around me. You’re all there for the same reason, so strike up a conversation!

Don’t glue your eyes to your phone

It’s tempting to want to share everything with your followers, but don’t make the mistake of experiencing the whole show from your phone screen. If you’re watching through your camera or phone, is it really any different than being at home, watching the content someone else created? Capture your favorite moments, but then put your device down and simply enjoy the fact that you have arrived. The best part about being at New York Fashion Week is the energy – something you can’t fully appreciate if you’re glued to a device.

Take the time to soak it in

Be present, save content to post at the end of the day, and pinch yourself often!

Will you attend New York Fashion Week in September? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to ask questions! I love supporting the blogger community. You can check out my other blogger-focused posts here, and don’t miss another new post again – sign up for my email list now!

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