NYFW: The Survival Guide

Photography by Miguel Pichardo

New York Fashion Week is not what it used to be. The days of running into everyone at the Tents in Bryant Park or a neatly packaged Lincoln Center schedule are long gone.

Today, designers are staging shows in warehouses in Brooklyn, rooftops in SoHo, basements in Tribeca—you name it. Which means if you’re trying to “do it all,” you’ll be crisscrossing the city like you’re in a reality show called Fashion Survivor: MTA Edition.

And here’s the kicker: with so much running around, sometimes gum or a latte will try to pass as a meal. Don’t fall for the hype. No one is that fabulous hangry!

So, how do you stay sane, grounded, and actually enjoy the chaos that is NYFW? Here’s my playbook:

1. Pace Yourself, Darling.

You don’t need to be at every single show, party, and presentation to matter. FOMO is real, but so is burnout. Choose wisely. Fashion Week is a marathon, not a sprint.

2. Eat Real Food (Yes, Really!)

Gum is not lunch. Neither is prosecco. Pack snacks, grab a quick bite when you can, and treat your body like the temple it is. Fashion is about celebrating beauty, not punishing yourself in the name of it.

3. Embrace the Chaos, But Protect Your Peace.

With everyone doing their own productions, you’re going to be running all over the city. Accept it. But that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your sanity. Build in downtime, even if it’s five minutes of deep breathing in the back of an Uber on your way to the next show.

4. Don’t Believe the Highlight Reel.

Instagram will make it look like everyone else is living on front row and designer fairy dust. The reality? Most people are tired and juggling two phones. Enjoy YOUR experience.

5. Remember Why You’re Here.

At its core, fashion week is about creativity, artistry, and connection. When the schedule feels like chaos and the afterparties blur together, come back to that. It’s not about “being everywhere,” it’s about being present.

NYFW has changed, and so has the industry. The magic now lives in the unpredictability—the surprises, the intimate presentations, the designers daring to do it their own way. And you? Your job is to survive it with style. Eat something green, carry a portable charger, and know when to just go home.

Because the real flex isn’t being everywhere—it’s showing up fully as yourself.