HOW TO ATTEND NYFW AS AN INTERN

It’s every fashion student and fashion lover’s dream to be able to attend the most electric events of the year during NYFW. To sit in the front row, you usually need to be an influencer with some sort of following, work for the company, or know the right people. However, to be able to work backstage, all you need is a hardworking attitude and a strong work ethic.

In collaboration with my good friend and fellow NYFW attendee Elijah Brown, we had an event to share with anyone who’s interested in how to score an internship. If you are interested, keep reading to see the presentation or if you’d rather listen, the recorded presentation is linked below.

How To Attend NYFW: Tips for Securing an Internship

I recommended finding a place to stay in Manhattan as that is where most events will be occurring. If you have a friend in the area that wouldn’t mind you crashing at their place for a couple of days, absolutely take advantage of that. If not, gather a small group of friends or fellow classmates interested in working at NYFW to find an Airbnb or hotel room to split.

So when is NYFW? The shows typically occur during the 2nd week of February for the Fall/Winter shows and the second week of September for the Spring/Summer shows. Depending on the brand reach will determine the location (for example, Chanel is a huge brand that usually has its shows at an undisclosed location with an elaborate set) however most brands hold their shows at one of the 3 studios; Spring Studios, Daylight Studios, and Triangle Lofts. These studios have been sponsoring NYFW for years and most likely will sponsor them for years to come.

There are two types of NYFW shows you might come across. First are the shows that are on the CFDA’s official NYFW list. This list contains the big brands, like AREA, and is dropped usually about a month or two before the shows take place. Then there are the shows that happen during NYFW but have no affiliation with the CFDA. These shows, which are brands like RiseNYFW or TheLabNYFW are platforms for multiple small designers to have a show at the same venue. Both types of shows are very different but both provide a learning experience that is great for your resume.

Now before you start your search for the actual internship, make sure your resume is updated and professional. Include all events, shows, or fashion-related activities you have taken part in.

Next, write up a to-the-point paragraph of who you are (always include that you are a student, if applicable), why you would like work for the brand, and what you have done in the past that makes you eligible to help out. This paragraph can be reused for multiple brands, just make sure to change any mention of the brand.

Here’s what to expect the day of the show.

All this information provided is based of my experiences at NYFW for the past 3 years. If there is anything that was not mentioned or a question that arised for you, please feel free to drop a comment below or reach out via email.