NYFW | The Prep
H&M blazer // Forever 21 top // Polo Ralph Lauren joggers // H&M booties // Uniqlo beanie
My first A/W New York Fashion Week was two years ago when my good friend Janice Thi Tran generously invited me out as her plus one to multiple shows. At the time, I was a blogging noob--still perfecting the game of personal style--so you can just imagine the burning excitement in my naive, little heart when I was surrounded by the wild NYFW rush. Fast forward two years later, and I'm attending my second New York Fashion Week Men and a fully packed schedule for women's NYFW with my partner-in-crime, Lynn Do of
. Even with more experience and greater exposure, it's still surreal to me the amount of opportunities and encounters I've received--that I can attend events within the same vicinity as famous bloggers and celebrities. It makes me appreciate the life I lead and the hustle I endure to be doing what I love. Despite the hectic-ness, I'd much rather be busy to this extent then stand back and envy the lives I admire. This lifestyle is well-worth the stress breakdowns and heavy exhaustion and I wouldn't have it any other way.
With my previous experiences at NYFW, I've learned a lot from past mistakes and have somewhat managed to master a system surviving NYFW in one piece. This is my list of things to prepare for:
Bring the backups.
You're going to be trekking around the city all day and chances are, you won't go home looking the same way you left in the morning. The fact of the matter is, mother nature happens, human body effects happen, essentially, life. just. happens. And to prepare for these incidents, bring a travel bag of fashion week savers. This includes mini hairspray bottle, makeup touch-ups, flats, tissues, portable battery (pretty sure this is the most important).
Don't be that bag lady.
With #1 being said, you also don't want to be lugging around 3-4 bags. That is like outfit suicide. Trust me because I've been there and it wasn't a pretty sight. I've learned to bring a reasonably-sized tote to carry my essentials while complementing my outfit. Also, because when you attend presentations and other NYFW events, they love to load you with freebies (which I'm totally not complaining about) but you're going to need a bag to stuff them in. I'll add in a small clutch so when it's photo op time, I place my tote on the side and shoot with the clutch.
You're always on camera.
If you're like me, candid photos are not your friend, which is kind of a bummer since NYFW is known for their flock of photographers from anything and everywhere. Thus, it's model-mode 24/7--smize, strut, stand tall. Give the photographers a reason to ask for your picture.
Don't feel intimidated.
With all the photographers, super stylish attendees, and rare sightings of top bloggers and celebrities, it's easy to feel small and intimidated by the madness. At my first NYFW show, I saw bloggers like WeWoreWhat and celebrities like Nicky Hilton. But I had to remember, I was part of that world and not an outsider. This was my area of expertise as well. I may not be as experienced or have reached my peak level as they have, but I know I will and that's enough to feel like I belong, too. With that being said, be cool. As in, don't be that fangirl at shows but be amongst the fashion week fame and adrenaline.
But of course, have fun!
But of course, as hectic as these notes might make NYFW seem, it doesn't mean you won't have fun because I know I sure did every time I've gone and it's only opened my eyes to new things about all things fashion. Just the being in the mayhem is enough to feed your fashion hunger and get you even more excited for the next one.
Photography by