NYFW Q&A for Beginners — Allysa Larson

Aug 24

Aug 24 NYFW Q&A for Beginners

Hi babes,

It’s almost that time of year again… NYFW!! This will be my third year going and I’m so excited. Every year has been so different, but I’ve learned so much each time. Here are some frequently asked questions I get and questions that people submitted to be answered on my podcast. Let’s get into it!

Listen to the podcast episode on SPOTIFY and APPLE podcasts

Q & A

How are you able to go? Are you invited by brands?
You just book it - flights + hotel boom you’re there!!!
You can definitely go with a brand, but you 100% do NOT have to

How to get invited to events/ How to know where to be and when?
- Reach out to brands you currently work with
  - Emphasis on PR agencies
  - Brands with their HQ located in NYC
- Put NYFW in your bio so brands know you’re going
- GPS Radar - create an account and request show invites
What % do you think for each: going to shows, showrooms, content creation?
- Personal preference - totally up to you and what you want your schedule to look like
- We’re not trying to be too booked but this is our 3rd time. Our first time was insane!!!
- The past two years have been kind of different - year before covid it was like 40% content creation, 60% shows/showrooms/brand meet ups, but last year bc of covid it was more content creation than shows/showrooms/brand meet ups
Can we have an influence community dinner meet up moment?
- YES! - but probably more of a coffee meet up since we want as many people as possible to be able to come
How to market yourself at nyfw?
- Trendy outfits - photographers look for this
Tips for first timers
- Next episode will be a deep dive into this
- Stay true to your style
- meet up and network with people
- Have fun and just enjoy your time there
What’s something new you’re doing this year?
- Third time going
- Staying in Soho for the first time to be closer to everything
What are you most excited for? What are you least excited for?
- Meeting people IRL is always one of the most fun parts
- The energy of the city is unreal
- People watching
- The shows are pinch me moments
  - Least excited: Days are long so making sure that you’re well rested
  - eat during the day/bring snacks
  - easy to feel imposter syndrome
  - usually pretty hot that weekend esp while we’re trying to style “fall” outfits
What brands are having events? I’ve pitched brands I’ve worked with but they aren’t hosting
- Everything is so last minute
- Events will start to pop up around 2 weeks out
Average cost of going?
- Flights - went up from last year (our first year we paid like $350 rip low gas prices)
- Hotels - you can try to collab? Stay in a more affordable area (we’ve always stayed in midtown but this year we are staying in SOHO)
- We love taking advantage of all the cool dinner spots in the city - can add up
- Outfits - try to use what’s in your closet
- Last year I spent around ~ $1,000 on flight, hotel, food
How to find smaller events /pop ups with brands, not just big runway shows
- Email your contact list / brands you work with regularly
- Ask other girls their schedules as well! Collaboration > Competition
- Look which brands are located in NYC, they are prob having something
Tips on how to not feel imposter syndrome when you’re there?
- You deserve a seat at the table queen
- You are just as worthy as anyone else there
- Props to you for going and putting yourself out there
- Know that this is NORMAL and most people feel this way and are faking it til they make it
Is going the 8th - 12th good or should I extend my trip?
- We’re going 8th - 13th, I think the website says 8th - 14th so up to you!
What shows are you going to?
- No shows solidified just yet
- Shows can be confirmed last minute so don’t panic if you haven’t heard anything/seen anything/booked anything
- Events - revolve (is open to the public)
Trend predictions?
- Denim
- Feathers
- Sparkles
- Maxi skirts

Hopefully this was a helpful place to start! I have other blog posts as well so feel free to check those out as well. If your hesitant on going, my advice, is just do it. You really do grow outside of your comfort zone and you’ll never know what opportunities are out there until you put yourself there.