It never fails – when fashion week comes around there is always a show that you cant get into. Whether it was because you forgot to request an invitation, you just did not remember to send a request or you got denied all together I’m here to tell you that there is still a chance you can get in. All it takes is a little quick thinking and a ton of confidence.
Although fashion week in NYC is over, we have got a few helpful hints to help you get into any show next fashion season.
For those of you who are faint of heart and easily dissuaded, these rules are not for you but if you think you are up to the task then I can let you know how to properly sneak into shows during fashion week.
1- You WONT Get Ino Every Show
I know I just talked it up like it was the easiest thing in the world but you also have to be honest with yourself. If the answer is a clear no and you have exhausted all of your steps then just walk away. Getting loud won’t help. If you see security then you may as well not even try sneaking in for the rest of the season, so make sure that you understand that when it’s over…it’s over.
2- Talk With Confidence
Go right up to the person with the list and tell them your name. You may get lucky and someone else with your name is on the list, however since that almost never happens then wait for them to tell you that your name is not on the list and then go into totally confidence mode. Start by telling them that there is some type of mistake. You received an invitation and not only should you be on the list but a seat is reserved for you. You should let them know that you misplaced the invite but as long as you can get in you will be fine because yo just want to see the show. The last thing you want to do is argue with the person who holds your admittance in the palm of their hands.
3-Ask For Standing Room
Sometimes you can just tell that the show is going to be too big for you to get into without any credentials so simply walk to the person holding the list and ask for standing room. Once everyone who has an assigned seat is let in, you will also be let in.
4 – Move With The Crowd
This also requires a ridiculous amount of confidence. If you happen to see a group of people being ushered in and you are in the right place at the right time just begin walking in with them. Once you are in go straight to the standing room so that you don’t cause too much of a scene. If you happen to see a seat before the show starts, grab a pamphlet, sit down quickly and enjoy.
5- Say You Work For A Celebrity
This may or may not work but sometimes if you say that you work for a celebrity or that you are at the show on that celebrity’s behalf then you may get lucky. There have been times where I just told them that I was working for someone and I had to let my boss know how the show was in their absence. It doesn’t work all the time but it has been successful.
6- Develop PR Contacts
The Public Relations people are your best friends dring fashion week. If you know someone from a firm that covers a particular show, they can always get you into a show at the last minute.
7- Glance At The List
This should be your last resort and is often the hardest to pull off but if there happens to be a physical list that you are sure you are not on, then try glancing at it and using any name that you see. Experienced list-holders know this trick very well and will often hold the list extremely close so although this is the “oldest trick in the book” it is one of the hardest to pull off.
8-Get One Person In…The Crew Will Follow
If you happen to be in a crew of people and one person has an in, sometimes that person can get in and sneak back out with a pass of some sort for the rest of the people in your crew. This is often tricky because the more people trying to sneak in increased your chances of getting caught.
9. Bring A Small (Well Behaved) Dog
Lets face facts – Girls love little dogs. Since it is often a woman who is running the list, if you walk up to her with confidence and a little dog, she will probably get so distracted by your dog that she wont even mind letting you in because your dog is so cute. It sounds far-fetched but it has worked for me on more that one occasion.
10. Work Alone & Dress The Part
There is always love for the crew but when you are trying to scheme – the bigger the crew equals a bigger chance of getting caught. Sure you won’t have a close friend to talk to during your covert operation but trust me, having a story to tell after you just snuck into a show is so much better and for god sakes dress like you belong there. Nobody believes that you should be at a show in your dirty Nikes and yesterday’s t-shirt
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Follow these rules and I guarantee that you will get into a few more shows than you ever thought you would but like the old saying goes – Honesty is the best policy. So when the next fashion week rolls around, make sure you start early and send out all of the emails necessary to get the proper entry. This way you never have to be scared of getting caught. But if all else fails, you have got the 10 Commandments to sneaking into any fashion show above.
