Garment racks being rolled through the streets. Models lined outside waiting to see if this is finally their moment. Glitz and glam. Sweat and ambition.
All happening in one city. The energy is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
New York Fashion Week Fall 2023.
I think overall, no matter the day, New York City has a fashion energy like nothing I’ve ever seen or felt before. It is the city where you can walk out your door with a ball gown on and nobody would really question it.
But, this week… this week was different- magnified even. It’s a week dedicated to celebrating the industry we all love so much- fashion. People from all over the world, of all different backgrounds and cultures, join together to appreciate the innovation and creativity of the industry.
My Experience
For my first fashion week, I was fortunate enough to have gotten the opportunity to assist in some behind the scenes work.
When acting as a volunteer for fashion week, you must have the mindset that there is no task too big or small. Sometimes you may be running errands all over town, and others you may be checking in and seating guests of high importance. Either way, every action matters and is worth it in the end.
In assisting The Next Frontier in Fashion with their pre-production, I was exposed to the fast-paced and exhilarating environment fashion week brings! Most of my time there was spent cutting and folding name cards for the VIPS, followed by assisting the producer with the seating layout. Although I couldn’t stay for the entirety of the setup and the show due to classes I had to attend, my favorite thing was later seeing pictures and videos from the runway and knowing that I had a hand in making that happen!
Post Show Fun
Although working for NYFW is typically unpaid, there are perks that come with it!
As with anything, many want to celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in the show from the producers, models, and designers, all the way down to the volunteers and attendees. The opportunities to network during this fast-paced week are endless, so it was important to take advantage of all that presented themselves!
Overall, if you ever find yourself in NYC during fashion week or are interested in volunteering, I recommend that you DO IT! There is no experience like it and I personally have never felt so inspired. Designers are always looking for help and hands are always needed whether it’s in production or backstage- the opportunities are endless!
