Now that you are seated (or standing), look across the sea of black (for fall), taupe (for spring). This visual industry now includes you. People in fashion, unlike books, are judged by their cover. Who and what you wear defines you, your style tribe, and ranking.
The clothes:
If you have a favorite magazine, store, or editor, take inspiration from what labels these style tribes are sporting at shows:
French editors adore Balenciaga, YSL, Dior, Azzedine. English fashionistas are mad for Marni and Topshop mixed with vintage. Italian tastemakers live for luxury—Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci. And stateside editors and buyers tend to support homegrown talent—Proenza Schouler, Marc, DVF, Calvin, Michael Kors, Oscar, Thakoon.
Note: Models stay politically neutral, since they have to. They stick with white vests, jeans, or vintage since they need to be a blank canvas on which a designer can see his own look. Hair mostly pulled back, they need their fresh face—not the clothes—to stand out on a casting at Proenza Schouler or a “go see” at Mario Sorrenti’s studio.
The accessories:
Avoid heels that need require an entourage to walk. Discard any purse too small to have a function. At Fashion Week, the opposite is true: No bag is a status symbol. The bag-free creature is so A-list, they have staff to take notes for them at the shows.
How To Survive Fashion Week: Episode 2
You are where you sit. Camilla Morton dissects the fashion show seating chart.
How To Survive Fashion Week: Episode 1
Fashion Week isn’t impossible to attend for the uninvited, you just need Camilla Morton’s secrets.
