Want to Volunteer at NYFW? Read this ASAP.

By: Amanda Rosenthal

CFDA, in partnership with IMG, released the schedule for NYFW 2022, and if you’re as fashion obsessed as the rest of us, you want to be a part of the Super Bowl of fashion. While the possibility of getting an invite is a bit difficult, especially with limited guest lists due to Covid, there are other ways to get involved in one of fashion’s biggest weeks: volunteering.

Surprisingly, you don’t necessarily need to have connections in the fashion industry to volunteer at fashion week. All it takes is some internet stalking and a little bit of hard work. It only takes one reply, and you will be working backstage steaming clothes, dressing models, and in the mayhem of it all. So, if you want to volunteer and don’t know where to get started, you’ve come to the right place.

Reach Out

Once the schedule comes out, you will want to compile a list of all the designers showcasing their work. Most likely, you will want to focus on the smaller designers as they are more inclined to respond and need some volunteers. Once you have a list of all the designers, you are going to want to look at their websites for any contact information. Some websites have specific emails for PR or careers/internships, but most just have general customer service emails. You can also try looking for employee emails on LinkedIn through the company’s page or even reach out to influencers asking if they need any assistance during that week. Be sure to take your time looking for emails or anybody’s contact information that works for a designer.

Writing Cold Emails

Writing a concise and straightforward email is the key to volunteering. You want to keep your email short and sweet. Explain a little bit about who you are and what exactly you want to do. Most of these businesses are super busy, so keeping it easy to read and direct will help ensure that your email gets viewed. Subject the email “Volunteer for NYFW 2022” so that your email is clear from the start. Include information about why you want to volunteer and two to three sentences about yourself.

Response

After sending out around what feels like a hundred emails, DMs, and LinkedIn messages, you will hopefully receive at least one response. Be sure to respond in a timely manner accepting the position. You may want to ask if they have a dress code or if there is any other information you should know about. Be sure to express your gratitude and thank them for the opportunity.

Some Helpful Tips

Be sure to get to the show early so that you can account for any mishaps or traffic along the way. If they don’t give you a dress code, all black is a safe bet. You will look professional and won’t take away from any of the designer’s clothes. Remember that you will be running around, so be sure to wear comfy shoes that you can spend hours in. Most shows will have you there hours prior to the show, so eat and hydrate beforehand. The most important thing is to take advantage of the opportunity and help in any way you can. Most likely you will be doing small tasks, such as steaming, sewing on buttons, or helping to get any models dressed. Be sure to seem grateful and appear like nothing is below you. You can also use this time to professionally network with anyone there. Be sure to get any contacts so that you can stay in touch in the future.

New York Fashion Week is a crazy time in the fashion world and volunteering is truly a special way to see the behind the scenes of the fashion industry. It may not be as glamorous as you think, but it will highlight all the hard work and effort that goes into putting on a runway show.