Top Ten Ways to Get Into a Premier Fashion Show
Edited by Nichole Werhner
These tid-bits can also be used to crash parties held at the United Nations with a hostess that goes by the name: Madonna! Before I begin all of these little insane yet smart moves we maneuvered, I have to give a tremendous amount of credit to my partner in crime, Kari Skaflen who is a brilliant writer and photographer out of Chicago! Without her I could not have talked/walked/mingled/shoved my way into half of the Fashion Shows under the big white tent!
Security’s Tight, Unless You’ve Got a Pass.
# 10. Get Credentials
You must have at least some sort of company/organization backing you to walk through the door. Or try your luck and shoot for a freelance/media pass. Granted some days I just walked up those steps and walked in without showing a damn thing except my smile!
If you apply for a freelance media pass you must submit your work! Make yourself sound/look/feel like any designer would love for you to be the right writer/photographer for them! Be marketable! At the end fo the day YOU NEED a media pass OR a boutique/magazine to back you! You can apply for a pass through Mercedes Benz Online Registration.
No ones turning you away if you show up runway ready.
#9. Look the Part
I’m serious, I saw a lot of people that over did it. It’s really not smart to try to look TOO fashionable. Be cool. Be yourself. Most people are casual, but put together. Of course, all black and layers always works and is safe. The real deal is that nearly everyone is a writer from a big name.. like VOGUE, but they come from all over the globe. These are tenured editors, buyers, and market analysis that have worked their butts off to get to where they are, so if you were hitting your late 30′s – early 40′s and were always submerged in fashion what would you wear?
If Elle UK was running around taking photographs of attendees, how would you like to be shot? Dress fashionable and know which designers you plan to hit. Heading to Zac Posen? Wearing one of his signature looks might help. Heading to Diesel or Betsey Johnson, dressing a bit funkier to these shows might score you front row seats. So until you have an invite in hand, blend in..
#8. How to Stand in Line
Wear the media pass kinda tucked in. Move with the crowd. Don’t get close to ticket-checkers. Just easily slip yourself in the massive mess towards the middle and WALK RIGHT IN!
Never look directly into her eyes. She might steal your soul.
#7. Head to Standing Room or Hit the Runway if your Adventurous
Once inside, go towards to back of the chairs up to the “standing room” you surely will not be bothered there. When the crowd dies down and is getting ready, slip into a chair. If you’re a little more adventurous head to the runway while everyone is getting seated. Take pictures with celebs, give Anna Wintour a little head nod as if you know her, and congratulate Fern Mallis on another successful fashion week. Then sit next to any celebrity or socialite and pose for pictures.
Yes, that’s me right there. Nina Garcia.
#6. Find Your Name on the List
If you can’t get passed the ‘common room’ and into the Tent, Salon or Promenade then ask the intern at the door to look up your name on the list. When they are looking it up, skim the list and pick a person you want to be! 
I’ve been a ton of people… even a woman named Jon, a Vogue Russian Editor with a surprisingly mid-western accent.
Bet you’re loving the stock photography by now!!!
#5. Don’t Make a Big Fuss, but be Persistent
“I am with FASHION INDIE!!!” (look at them crooked like you can’t believe that they don’t know who you are.) Don’t try pushing rank if you ain’t got none. Be cool. Don’t be one of those hot heads! Its just lame and you won’t get in. Make your presence known, but don’t aggravate the door girl. If you show a little empathy, you will at least get standing room.
Smokey Eye Shadow. Smokey Model.
#4. Follow the Cancer Ward in.
Walk in with the smokers from outside…. (Not condoning smoking). Chat to a few of them and make it seem like your part of their puffing crew. As they head in, follow. This tip actually works for most Broadway shows as well, as long as you’re only interested in the second half of the production.
Do you really need a joke for this one?
#3. Know Anyone or Learn Spanish.
Have a name ready that you can recite on key. It’s either going to be a manager, a bar tender, a DJ, a bathroom attendant, a server, a bus boy, a janitor. Who ever it is know them ahead of time. We’ve been offered the chance to sneak into Proenza Schouler through an unnamed electrical tech. Know someone and if you don’t learn spanish. Most helpers or wait staff in NYC are bilingual. Speak their language and they just might be willing to sneak you in through a back entrance for a $20.
#2. And if You Don’t Know Someone Act Like you Know Someone
Pretend to waive at someone in the tent… “Hey, I see my editor/writer/photographer I gotta get in there!” It sometimes works.
#1. If all else fails lie, lie, lie
“My editor just sent me to do this story this morning … I’m sure we didn’t have time to RSVP, so I’m probably not on the list … Can I just get in there for 5 minutes to grab my story?” …. Thank you!” -wink-
Its always good to know someone inside, to help wave you in. If I could not of gotten in then Kari would go in and then come back and waive me through. Its always good to have a friend with you to tag-team fashion week so find a good friend to hit the tents with you.
That’s all for now indies, just remember my little fashion week exploits got me front row with Anna Wintour, Nicky Taylor, Agnes Dyen, Lance Armstrong, Rihanna, Madonna, and a slew of other celebrities and fashion rockstars. If I can do it, so can you.
