Past New York Fashion Week Experiences

I still remember my very first Fashion Week in NYC . I was so new to Fashion Illustration , and I wanted to experience fashion week in person . I haven’t been back to Fashion Week since the pandemic . But I hope to - soon. 

Fashion Illustration created using Procreate App.

Model walking down the street with Bloomingdales in the backdrop

I was aware of how busy it can get , but experiencing it was another story . I have a different take on Fashion Week since I am not in the fashion industry per se . I’m kind of looking into it - I have a very different lens since I am an artist and Fashion Illustrator. 

I look to partner with brands and designers for sketching at the events , creating art as an experience for the attendees. I also look for the outfits in the shows that would make for fun sketches. I am on the lookout for street style fashion . I look out for colors, movement in the outfits , patterns and anything that could make a great sketch. And there’s plenty of inspiration to draw from - pun intended.

If anyone wants to go to Fashion Week , here’s a few things I’ve learned as an attendee .

it’s the best time if you want to connect with Fashion PR professionals , editors , bloggers but it is also very challenging because everyone is there to  attend shows. 

Attending more than 3 shows a day can be exhausting and almost impossible to achieve.  Account for waiting times - that can be well over 45 minutes to get into the venue to be seated / or to stand . The shows are no more than 15 minutes long.

Fashion Illustration of Tadashi Shoji outfits at New York Fashion Show using Tombow markers and watercolors

Dress well and wear comfortable clothes and shoes (!) I learnt this the hard way . Your feet will kill you if you wear heels / stilettos and walk everywhere, not to mention standing in line for the shows. In September , I’d wear flip flops / sneakers to commute and walk in NYC and switch into my nice sandals just before entering the venue. 

Sorry,I have no tips for dressing well in the winter . I struggled with it - all I wanted to do was be warm and not get frostbite in February ! 

Fashion Illustration of woman walking down the street in Winter

It does help to have company going to the shows . When I went in 2016 , I didn't know anyone but I used it as an opportunity to talk to people and make connections. Eventually I started going to shows with these new friends.

Be genuine when you talk to people.  Avoid being your phone while talking to someone in person . Make a human connection  - make eye contact and talk . You can make the most of Fashion Week and not miss out on your Instagram analytics at the same time.

Enjoy the new collections this season ! 

Cheers,

Lakshmi