New York Fashion Week Survival Tips

Pictured: Cartoon of New York City flooded via the Fashion Office Blog.

The heavens have opened up and rain is pouring down on the island of Manhattan interspersed with bolts of lightening. Baseball games get rained out, but what about Fashion’s Night Out and NYFW?  We don’t have plastic to cover the shopping playing field.  The fabulous Althea Harper, Rowenta Iron’s Global Ambassador for steaming yourself chic, has published Five Tips for Surviving Fashion Week.  Her tips are good, i.e.: bring your over sized bag, sunglasses, blazer, camera and notebook (you know in case you want to take notes on the collections.   However, since Althea wrote these pre storm, I feel compelled to update the survival tips.

1) Pack your umbrella and bring your heels with you to the show in a carry bag to change into. Don’t totter around town slipping into puddles.
Leather heels and suede pumps will be weather beaten. A good sturdy umbrella is mandatory.  This was learned at the Golden Globes last year, when the heavens opened up and there was no red carpet cover.

2) Learn the NY Subway system, especially if you are an out of towner.
If you’ve ever tried to hail a cab in the pouring rain, then you know, it could take a long time to get picked up by those crazy, storm swerving yellow cabbies.  Sure they’ll splash you, before speeding past, while you try to preserve your clothing, shoes and hair style. Check out the easy subway directions via HopStop.com.   Even a fool Los Angeleno (like moi) who is not used to public transport can figure out the mysteries of the subway with HopStop. Download HopStop from the App store so you can have it on your Phone.  It’s a life saver.

3) Carry snacks and B-12.   Don’t be afraid to carry supplies in that over sized bag Althea told you to bring.  Pack like you are going on a trip. You need snacks, water and lots of gum laced with B-12.   There is a reason some of the models are shall we say, very trim at NYFW, there is quite simply no real eating at Fashion Week.

4) Starbucks VIA, the elixir of Fashion Week.  This helpful caffeinated powder can be added to water,  hot or cold for a little instant pick-me up.  It can be a life saver, especially when you are give a “Priority Standing Ticket” and feel ready to collapse.

5) Carry your Smart Phone, Windows Phone, iPhone or Android with charging appliances.
Make sure you carry your phone charger at all times, and maybe even an extra battery in your bag.
A fully charged phone is truly your Fashion Week Swiss army knife, and perhaps your most fashionable accessory.  You need your synced calendar, notes, Fashion GPS app and due to the driving rain, your Weather Channel app ready at any time.

6) Try to score last minute NYFW tickets using the power of Social Media.
One company that I know will be giving out tickets is Rowenta. Follow Rowenta on Facebook. They’ll be giving away exclusive tickets to ticketless fashionistas who  are willing to come meet them in specific NYC locations, using social clues. Locations will be disclosed via their Facebook  page. Friend Rowenta on Facebook  to try to win tickets to a show from them.  Tickets that are being given away include: Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley and Nanette Lepore.  Racked has also been known to giveaway NYFW tickets, so check their Twitter feed.

For those readers living outside of  NYC, Rowenta will be running a giveaway on Facebook for the exclusive Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Pro Master Irons that the designers are using exclusively backstage (this is the fifth season that Rowenta is the official garment care provider at MBFW).