A Sip of the Scene
The Ultimate Guide to Navigating Fashion Events
Going to fashion events is a great way to spend your free time, but it can be so much more! I love a good exhibition, panel discussion and networking event and have been to quite a few. Each time, I have learnt more and more about how to make the most of my time there while also enjoying myself. These following tips are ways to prepare before, have an impact during, and be remembered after fashion events. This information is general so you can pick and choose depending on the type of event you are going to.
Before the event
Research
The type of event you are going to will indicate the level of research you will need to do. You can choose to just read the headline, book and attend, but you are missing out on a step that can make you stand out. For example, if this is a panel discussion about sustainability in fashion and you turn up in a real fur coat - you will stand out, but not in the way you hope to. Research the people who will be speaking, the brands that might be there and the topics that will be addressed. Some light general research might help you to prepare some well thought out questions beforehand too.
Plan Outfit
When picking an outfit for an event, I always ask myself: Do I want to blend in or stand out. It’s usually the latter but that doesn’t mean blending in sometimes can’t work to your advantage. Maybe you are feeling a bit shy and it’s an intimidating event so blending in might help with your nerves. However, if you’re feeling confident, or want to increase your confidence, a solid outfit is the way to go. You need to find a way to step out of your comfort zone, while staying in character - always dress for you! I usually consider the small things like a unique earring or a bright colour because those can be easy talking points.
Bring that notebook
If you are going to a panel discussion or lecture style event, bringing a notepad goes a long way. I don’t like to take notes on my phone because it can come across as disinterested - the speaker doesn’t know what you are doing on your phone. So having a physical notebook shows that you are not only interested in what they are saying, but also that you came prepared to learn. If possible, have a mini notebook that can fit into your bag comfortably and dedicate it to taking notes at events.
During the event
Take notes
The only downside to live in person events is you can’t press pause. When I usually watch interviews or educational content online, I pause and make many notes and reflections. However when in person, they may be dropping point after point and you can’t keep up. First tip that I had to learn, don’t stress about the appearance of the page, if your handwriting gets a little iffy, don’t worry about it as long as you can read it back. Jot down key points that you need to remember and if it’s long, paraphrase it. However if you resonate with a key phrase, then write it down word for word. This written content can then be used to reflect on, or maybe share as an article/blog.
Document the moment
This might not be for everyone, but if you are an aspiring content creator, events are a great place to start. You can plan before hand the angle and treatment of your content. For example, are you going to do short clips with a VoiceOver or music, or would you like to do some vox pops with other guests. Documenting events are great to develop your content creation skills, but it also shows future employers you actively involving yourself in the fashion industry by widening your network and increasing your knowledge. There are so many different ways to capture content so get creative.
Talk to people
Talk to people as people. I know, it can be so intimidating but the key to remember is that they are just people with cool jobs - that will be you soon. Don’t discount anyone. It’s easy to think that the best person to speak to is the host or special guest, but those sitting in the crowd around you are also eager creatives like yourself. Connect with them and grow together. Then, if you do get to speak to the organisers of the event, do your best to not fan girl. That doesn’t mean not to show your appreciation or admiration, but don’t waste your moment. Just ask yourself, do you want to be a fan or a colleague?
After the event
Follow up
I’m still learning the best ways to do this, but I know it is so important. There’s no point meeting people if you are going to forget about them the next day. Connect on socials and professional such as LinkedIn and email and pop up every once in a while when it’s relevant. It’s easy to feel annoying at this stage, especially if you don’t always get a response. But closed mouths don’t get fed - visibility is crucial so as long as you stay at the front of peoples minds, should an opportunity arise, guess who they’ll think of.
Repeat
Don’t stop there. It’s not enough to go once a year and be surprised that your network is stagnant. Especially if you live in London, there is almost always something going on related to fashion or the arts. You can also try attending other events that are indirectly related to fashion such as tech, science and business. Grab a friend if you’re shy at first and start doing events right.
One thing I didn’t mention is asking questions during an event - that needs a whole blog itself. Make sure to subscribe for updates on upcoming blog posts.
