Making the Most of Your NYFW Experience
Last year, I finally made it to New York Fashion Week. Well... kind of.
I wasn't invited to any official NYFW events. However, I was still able to fill four days with two fashion shows, a networking event, a pop-up activation, and a trunk show, all while meeting new people, discovering new brands, and getting a pretty good taste of a unique NYFW experience.
How? I put my resourcefulness to good use.
I kept up with brands, designers, event hosts, event-listing platforms, and social media feeds to catch all the NYFW activities. I know better than to wait for an invitation to a city-wide fashion experience, just because I didn't have an "in" with designers or publicists. Plus, I wanted to keep an eye out for opportunities that didn't fit the traditional "front row at a runway show" vibe.
Stop Waiting for an Invitation
Every season, as New York Fashion Week approaches, I always see the inevitable posts on my social feeds:
"How do I get invited to NYFW?"
"Do I need a publicist?"
"How do I get on the list for shows?"
All fair questions since specific (and mostly high-profile) events are more likely to be invite-only. So having the right connections (or a publicist that can send out those requests) can be useful. But you really don't need an invitation to have a meaningful NYFW experience.
The events that dominate your social feeds aren't the only things happening. Panels, networking events, pop-ups, trunk shows, designer showcases, brand activations, parties, and plenty of other events are happening too. Some might be invite-only, some are ticketed, and some are completely free to the public. You just have to find them.
And that was honestly the main takeaway from my first NYFW experience: an invitation is just an opportunity, not a requirement. You can wait for someone legit to respond to your social post asking for invites, spend money on a publicist and cross your fingers, or you can take matters into your own hands and curate the fashion experience you want to have.
My NYFW experience was actually one of many that inspired me to build Sequin Soirée. I knew that if I was having trouble finding events where I could immerse myself in creative communities and expand my network, other people might be having trouble too.
So, how can you curate your unique NYFW experience?
Whether you're planning to attend New York Fashion Week with a very specific goal or you're just trying to soak up as much fashion and beauty as possible, a little strategy can go a long way.
Start by discovering what's actually happening.
The official NYFW schedule is quite limited when it comes to general information and how to get in. So unless you're targeting a specific designer, I'd suggest expanding your search.
Try event-listing platforms like Luma, Posh, Partiful, and Eventbrite. Follow brands and designers you're interested in. Check the social media pages of event hosts and creative organizations. Look at what people are creating and sharing. Sure, it takes a little more time to sift through the noise (and awful AI-generated flyers), but finding a special event you can add to your schedule makes it all worth it.
Swipe through a few events I've found that are happening during NYFW S/S '27:
The official NYFW S/S ‘27 dates are Thursday, September 10 - Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
NOTE: This curated list highlights events that offer opportunities for strategic networking, as well as viewing unique collections from independent artists. This is not the complete list of events happening during NYFW.
Decide what you're trying to get out of the trip
You don't need an elaborate plan for your time in NYC, but you should have a sense of what will make your trip successful. Use this list of relevant goals to determine the purpose of your NYFW experience:
Meeting independent designers
Building relationships with stylists
Connecting with models
Connecting with recruiters for jobs in fashion/beauty/lifestyle
Meeting potential collaborators
Discovering new brands for content opportunities
Going to make use of your free will and love of fashion
Your goal should influence the events you choose. For example, if you’re an aspiring model, your time would probably be wasted at a panel discussion. Or a runway show wouldn't have as much return on investment as a brand activation for a recent college graduate interested in breaking into experiential marketing.
Don't try to attend every event just because it's happening. Require ROI on your activities, whether it's a modeling agency connection, a confirmed coffee chat with an experiential marketing executive, or just a little fun between two networking events on opposite sides of the city.
Give yourself some attendance guidelines
The natural energy of NYC can motivate you to try to be in five places at once. Obviously, that's not sustainable, so try setting some boundaries before you touch down in Manhattan.
Here are a few of my guidelines:
Limit 2 - 3 events per day
Schedule downtime between events for eating, resting, and bathroom breaks
Set a budget for ticketed events because if that VIP ticket comes with a luxury gift bag that you can't even get through airport security with, is it really worth it?
A packed schedule won't necessarily make your trip successful. Give yourself time to wander.
Set a goal for each event
This is why I encourage you to be super intentional about the rooms you occupy. It's very easy to get overstimulated meeting new people at every event, so you have to make your interactions count. Showing up for three events and connecting with seven people is more sustainable than hustling back and forth on the subway to catch every event on the calendar and maybe having two or three really meaningful conversations.
Give yourself one small objective per event. Here are some of my favorites:
Come up with three questions to ask during the Q&A portion of a panel event (just in case someone else asks one of your questions)
Make a face-to-face introduction with the designer at a presentation or trunk show
Say hello to at least two people in line while waiting to attend a pop-up or a sample sale
Let those conversations flow naturally and see where they lead. Sure, it may be awkward at first, but the more you practice, the better you'll get.
And, of course, when you meet someone you'd like to stay connected with, follow up with them. Depending on your conversation topics, you should have a good sense of whether you'd like this person to be a LinkedIn connection, someone you follow for inspiration on Instagram, or someone who shares great ideas on Threads. I'd also suggest grabbing their email address to continue conversations over coffee, lunch, or a virtual call.
Use social media to your advantage before you arrive
Following event hosts and brands is super helpful for engaging with their content before you attend their events. You can even scroll through to find people who consistently engage with the same people and brands you follow to connect with.
Forcing a friendship before attending events isn't necessary, but there's nothing wrong with saying, "Hey, I saw you're going to this event. I'll be there, too!" That way, when you actually make it to the event, you'll likely see a familiar face.
Plan outfits that work harder than you do
NYFW is not the time to pack one outfit per event (even though I've seen popular influencers do just that while vlogging their NYFW trips). Make sure to check the dress codes, your proximity to each event location, and the weather.
Plan looks that can seamlessly transition from one event to another, including accessories, your handbag, and comfortable shoes. I take the shoes tip personally because, as much as I believe the shoes pull the whole look together, my feet don't care, especially when they're getting blisters from walking up and down Manhattan with no relief.
Assume you're taking the subway
Unless you have a very specific reason not to, plan on using public transportation; you'll save money, avoid traffic-related headaches, and probably get where you're going faster than you think.
And if you're creating content while you're in the city, don't overlook those little B-roll moments. Waiting for the train, walking through a station, grabbing coffee between events, or stopping in a little boutique can become part of the story.
If you can't find the event you want, create your own
This is probably my favorite tip. Let's say you've searched everywhere and still can't find the type of event you want to attend. Who says you have to wait for someone else to host it?
If you consistently engage with people online who will also be in the city, invite a few of them to meet for drinks. Organize a small cocktail hour, grab a table at a rooftop lounge, and connect with people you'd genuinely enjoy meeting. It doesn't have to be an official thing; just a few stylish people having a few drinks and downloading their NYFW experiences so far.
Sometimes you gotta be what you don't see.
Don't let the guest list define your experience
My first New York Fashion Week wasn't filled with exclusive invitations where I bumped shoulders with major influencers and celebrities. And I honestly don't feel like I missed out.
I found events that aligned with what I wanted to experience, met people I wouldn't have met otherwise, discovered new brands, and got a better understanding of just how much is happening beyond the handful of events that dominate our social feeds. And I had the most fabulous time.
That's why I don't think the question should always be, "How do I get invited?" Sometimes the more interesting question is: "What do I want to experience, and where can I find it?"
Unfortunately, I'll be missing NYFW this season, but I'm excited to finally get back to the East Coast (for as long as my PTO will allow) in October for CultureCon. If you're going, feel free to connect with me so we can link up while we're there.
And if you'll be in NYC this September, I hope you meet interesting people, start meaningful conversations, and build fruitful professional relationships that take you to the next level.
