9 Fashion Insiders Share Stories from Their First Fashion Week
1/11Fashion show fixtures like Olivia Palermo, Whitney Port, and Margaret Zhang might have been to hundreds of fashion week runways, but you never forget your first. So where did those at the top of the industry start their fashion week journeys?
From sneaking in without a ticket to cold calling potential employers, here 9 industry insiders reveal to Teen Vogue how they landed their first job at Fashion Week. And if it’s your dream to get to fashion week too — whether as a blogger, a makeup artist backstage, or a street style star — they also share their top tips for how you can get past the barriers…
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images2/11Chloe Norgaard, model
My first ever fashion week was… My first show in London was for menswear designer Asger Juel Larsen. I was the only girl in the show. I remember being a bit overwhelmed. Most of the girls were taller and skinnier than me, but I still felt like I could do it. I remember my agency telling me not to dress so crazy. The best part was the energy backstage; there is so much going on. It really takes a lot to put a show together — it was awesome and eye opening to see that.
I wore… A black leotard, calf length black socks, biker boots, and a cut-off sweater that read ‘happiness is a warm p#ssy’.
My advice for your first time modeling at fashion week… Go to as many castings as you can. I've been cast in shows by sneaking into castings I wasn't requested for. Just go for it. It's nice to link up with other girls who are doing the same run around and can keep your energy up. Don't forget to eat and get as much rest as you can. Believe in yourself and smile! I feel like a lot of people don't smile at fashion week because they are tired or stressed, but it really helps.
Getty Images3/11Margaret Zhang, blogger and street style star
My first ever fashion week was… backstage at Prabal Gurung. It was my first time in NYC, I was 17, and my friend was shooting some content backstage for Prabal. He said I should join him and shoot some of my own backstage content. I remember it being my first New York winter and it was freezing (thank God for Uniqlo heat tech). The blogger phenomenon was not so polarizing at the time, and people were really open minded about me shooting my own interpretation of their collections at shows.
I wore… At the time I was doing a lot of skinny leather trousers with wedge boots and high-waisted, A-line miniskirts over the top, with a fitted sweater and an oversized coat. I was still centre parting my hair and it was still pretty long. I wore zero makeup and coconut oil on my face all the time so I always looked a bit shiny!
My advice for your first time blogging at fashion week… There is so much show coverage online at the moment that you really need to come up with some point of difference for your work, to set yourself apart and be giving a brand or a PR agency actual value in return for your access to the show. Think of an interesting angle that you could cover the show from — something that people haven't seen before.
WireImage4/11Olivia Palermo, front row favorite
My first ever fashion week was… at Zac Posen at Bryant Park. I went with a girlfriend and we had a wonderful time – three New York kids enjoying youth! Nine years later I’m still as excited as I was the first time.
I wore… a Zac Posen Bambi print dress.
My advice for your first fashion week… Enjoy yourself and appreciate the moment because not many people get to attend the shows. Also, the designers work endless amounts of hours putting it all together — recognize that and let it inspire you. Please stay off your cell phone and just soak it all in.
FilmMagic5/11Marina Larroudé, Teen Vogue fashion director
My first ever fashion week was… I think my first fashion show was at Sao Paulo Fashion when I was working at Brazilian Vogue as a fashion assistant. I covered the entire week and it was so exciting!
I wore… Back then I had one good pair of jeans, probably Seven For All Mankind, that I dressed up with an interesting shirt and borrowed a handbag from my mom.
How you can get to fashion week… If you just want to attend a show, if you have a friend who works in the industry and can help you get you in, that’s probably the easiest way. If you want a job in fashion, I would recommend going to a fashion university so you can learn and then look for an internship so you can move up the ladder.
My advice for your first fashion week… It’s fun and very exciting, so I would recommend enjoy every minute of it, and network as much as you can.
Getty Images for IMG6/11Henry Holland, fashion designer
My first ever fashion week was... when I went to see Agyness Deyn walk in a show for the first time during London Fashion Week. I was so nervous for her that she would fall over! My first ever House of Holland show was in September 2006 and I was so clueless that I really wasn’t as scared as I should have been. It was a collective show with three designers showing all at once and it was only when all of the girls were in line up backstage that I realized it was the autumn/winter season and we had only done T-shirt dresses! Whoops!
I wore... For my first show I wore a T-shirt with the slogan ‘One Trick Pony’. I was worried that the reviews would say that about my work I decided to get in there first!
My advice for your first fashion week... Do whatever you get asked with a smile on your face. Always remember that even the biggest names in the industry started grabbing coffee for the boss. No job is too big or too small and you will learn every single second that you’re in that environment. Always be aware of what is happening around you — you don't have to be the one with a pencil in your hand to learn.
WireImage7/11Whitney Port, front row favorite
My first ever fashion week was… the DKNY one in L.A. at Smashbox Studios. People's Revolution, whom I used to work for, was the PR company running the show and Lauren Conrad and I were meant to assist backstage. To my surprise, one of the models didn't show up and I ended up walking in it!
I remember being… so overwhelmed! It is SUCH an awesome experience to be able to take in that beauty in person, but getting to the shows is so hectic, as is changing for each one. I remember thinking it looked way more glamorous in photos than how it felt in person.
How you can get to fashion week… I think the key is reaching out to all the shows that are open to the public and seeing if you can go. Also, just hanging outside the shows and people watching is so fun.
My advice for your first fashion week… The hardest part is managing your schedule. I still have an old-school calendar — I need to write everything down in order for it to register. I always have snacks, like little bars and packs of nuts, in my purse to get me through the day. I try to think about what I want to wear, and I lay it out the day before to make the whole getting-ready process easier.
Getty Images8/11Dani Song, blogger and street style star
My first ever fashion week was… I don't remember the first show, but I remember that my sister Aimee was working with the brand and I was her plus one, so I got to experience what it was like behind the scenes and the hustle. I didn’t really speak English well so I was super shy and I was extremely nervous about meeting people at the shows. But it was really cool to be there.
My advice for your first time blogging at fashion week… Find great backgrounds and if you're having trouble, ask the photographers for suggestions — there are tons of them. And network! There are so many creative people in town and networking is key to succeeding in the blogging world.
2015 Marla Aufmuth9/11Aliza Licht, author of Leave your Mark and formerly DKNY PR Girl
My first ever fashion week was… I was an assistant in the accessories department at Marie Claire magazine. I was desperate to go to shows, but of course as an assistant, invitations are given out in seniority order. The first show I remember going to was D by DKNY — an amazing collection that DKNY did for a short time. Funny thing, though, I wasn’t invited. The senior editors took me along and told me they could sneak me in. I remember standing in the check-in line so petrified that someone would ask me for my ticket and no one did.
I remember… I felt proud to be there despite being seated in the rafters. I still get chills when I hear The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony.’ That was my first Marc Jacobs show, and I remember Madonna was there, and everyone was freaking out. I had a standing ticket and could only see the tops of the models heads, but I didn’t care. I felt lucky to be there. Remember back then these shows were not live-streamed or even posted online – getting to be there live was an incredible experience.
I wore… The perk of being a fashion editor (at least back then) was that you could easily borrow looks from the fashion closet. At an assistant level salary, there was no way I could afford fabulous outfits, but I could wear them on loan as long as I knew I wasn’t bumping into that designer’s PR person, because that would have been bad!
How you can get to fashion week… Getting in from the designer side is harder because with most brands you have to be already working there at least in an intern capacity. You could work at a PR agency managing the front of the house or a production company who produces the sets and manage the show logistics. You could be a “dresser” and help dress the models backstage. You could assist on the hair and makeup teams. You could even work with a sponsor like a water brand who is providing complimentary water to guests.
My advice for your first fashion week… The most important thing to remember no matter what capacity you work in is that you are privileged to be there, and you should be respectful of that. It’s important to understand the process, and I would recommend that any person working at fashion week ask their supervisor “the rules” before attending. One of those rules definitely includes no fan-girling. Going up to Anna Wintour and asking for a selfie only serves to confirm your newbie status.
10/11Katie Jane Hughes, global colour ambassador for Butter London
My first ever fashion week was… Working with Alex Byrne on a graduate fashion show and it was my first real inside peak at fashion week. Three years later I keyed my first show for a designer called PPQ and it was incredible. I was so nervous and my confidence was a little shaky, but I learned so much watching other makeup artists backstage.
How I got there… I was really ballsy and managed to track down the phone number of a makeup artist that I loved, called, and left a voicemail. She called me back saying how she was shocked by the boldness, but she liked it and asked me to assist her backstage. The most valuable lesson that she ever taught me was to be seen and not heard as an assistant, and to keep your cool, because nothing makes you look less experienced than freaking out.
How you can get to fashion week… Do your research to figure out who you would like to work for. Don't be afraid to work for free at times or go on a job just to be there in case you’re needed. Most of my assisting jobs I was just standing around cleaning brushes, but it was a pleasure and a rarity that I would even get to put a little powder on a models face while onset.
My advice for your first time doing makeup at fashion week… Practice the basic techniques because as soon as you’re backstage, you’ll feel the pressure right away. If you haven’t mastered the basics, and aren’t comfortable enough to do them in your sleep, you’ll notice it immediately. I would also suggest finding ways to inspire yourself – you never know when you’ll need a great idea!
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