Fashion Week Essentials – What’s In My Bag and How I Power Through
Fashion week is here again! I’ve been so lucky to be a part of it for several years, as an industry professional and as a blogger! It really is an adrenaline rush of run, energy, excitement, and inspiration! Although it’s not without drawbacks – being exhausted, feeling the constant sense of FOMO if you have multiple shows and events at the same time and physically can’t make them all, plus trying to look glam when you just feel like a haggard mess. Not to mention in February the weather tends to suck, dashing all of your #streetstyle hopes and dreams. If it is one of your first seasons attending Fashion Week, congratulations! You are in for a treat. Here are the essentials I keep with me all week, and how I sneak in moments of self-care to keep myself sane.
What’s in My Bag for Fashion Week
On a daily basis I can seriously look like a bag lady, but when it’s time for shows I try to whittle it down so it can all fit into a chic clutch. I always have my unlimited Metrocard because I’m a New Yorker, a portable charger because a dead phone is absolutely not an option, and beauty essentials like lipstick, a mini perfume for touch-ups, blotting papers, and false eyelash glue. I also keep my 2 favorite credit cards and my Soho House membership card with me since it’s a great place to relax between shows. And healthy snacks like power bars, trail mix, or jerky to get you through.
Because I am a gym rat and am fully committed to my fitness journey as you may have seen on my Instagram stories, I may also carry a second tote with gym gear in it! Depending on your schedule and how many shows you go to, you may have a 2 or 3 hour gap between events. That’s not enough time to run back home but just enough time to be annoyed at having nothing to do. If I know I have a day like that I will head into the city with my gym bag and drop it off at a New York Sports Club location near the shows. If I have downtime in the afternoon I can squeeze in a workout and freshen up before the next event, instead of wandering aimlessly. And when I’m done for the day and heading home I make a pit stop back at the gym to grab the back I left in the lockers, so I don’t have to lug it around all day.. If you are not in #beastmode like me, a better alternative is to just find a bar and day drink.
How I Stay Productive During Fashion Week
As I mentioned before, fitness is one way I take care of myself, so getting it in is a priority. I work out 4-5x a week so at least one or 2 of those sessions need to be squeezed in around fashion week. You also always have to be on top of editing and posting content, last minute RSVPs that may roll in, and sponsored deals that may have deadlines or be in the works. I know I have blog posts due write after NYFW and I’m not about pulling all nighters! In between shows or while I’m waiting for them to start, or even when I’m in the subway or in a Lyft, I’m managing email or editing or drafting content on my phone. I use Evernote to draft blog copy, Snapseed, A Color Story, and Facetune for photo editing, and Unfold to curate my stories. Even if you only have 15 minutes of downtime between shows, you can crank through something on your to do list
Making Time for Friends During NYFW
The best part of fashion week is hanging with your glamourous friends! Me and the blogger babes typically share our schedules so we can plan to meet up. Having someone you know to sit with at a show is the best and taking fun group shots outside the shows is the icing on the cake. If you don’t have a lot of blogger or industry friends, a network like Exclusively Social is an amazing resource to find your #GirlGang! They have fun events and photo shoots, plus a world of resources on being an influencer. It’s members only so try to get on the list!
Let me know how your week goes! And stay tuned to my Instagram to catch all the fun!
