Labor Day may be the end of summer, but it also marks the beginning of something else — fashion month! It's the four weeks each season during which the entire fashion industry shuttles between New York, London, Milan, and Paris to see designer after designer present their collections. But just because you aren't parked in the front row between Kylie and Kim doesn't mean you can't enjoy all of the best fashion week has to offer. Here's how to follow fashion week from home, so you can enjoy high fashion in your stylish sweats.
The way the fashion industry functions has shifted dramatically in the last few years, thanks in large part to social media. Designers are adopting the "show now, buy now" concept (in which the looks that come down the runway are almost immediately available for purchase online) and there is an increasing focus on including the consumer in the excitement of Fashion Week. Instead of excluding the people who are actually going to be buying the collections being shown (aka those of us sitting at home on our laptops) designers have made an effort to make them feel like they're a part of the process by sharing behind the scenes glimpses into their work.
Because of this, keeping up with fashion week from the comfort of your couch (or bed, or desk...) has never been easier. Here are five really, really easy ways to feel like you've got a front row seat to every show this season, without having to deal with the crowds.
1. Instagram Stories
There was certainly some forethought in the decision to release Instagram Stories a mere few weeks before fashion week, and it certainly has paid off. For the last few seasons, Instagram has become the go-to way for designers, editors and influencers to share what's going on behind the scenes and on the runways, and now with stories they'll be able to do it even more instantaneously. Some of my personal favorite views from the front row are Instagram's own @EvaChen212, Leandra Medine's @Manrepeller and Refinery29's @BethieGirmai. For more behind the scenes looks, check out some of these models' feeds.
2. Vogue Runway
Formerly known as Style.com, the "new" (as of a year ago) VogueRunway.com publishes looks from designer's shows almost immediately after they come down the runway. Vogue editors also publish reviews of the collections, some overwhelmingly positive (Tom Ford) while some...not so much (Yeezy Season 4).
3. Via Livestream
Thanks to the glorious internet, all of us non-VIPs can now enjoy the view from the front row at some of the season's hottest shows without having to fight off overzealous editors and wannabe street style stars for seats. Fashion Week Online offers livestreaming of events (for free!) that you can watch from home (or from your desk.)
4. Snapchat
In case Desigual's Snapchat inspired makeup looks didn't give you enough models in #filterface, you can also follow NYFW via your snapchat feed. While the Fashion Week Discover channel is oddly absent this season (why would you do this to us, Snapchat?! Why?!), there are a number of personal and brand accounts to help keep you up to date. @ItsGigiHadid offers backstage looks from the shows she's walking in, @KristieDash will show you the insides of all of the hottest beauty parties and events and @TheCut will keep you up-to-date on literally everything that's going on in NYC this week. If you're looking to clog your entire feed with fashion week updates, check out this (exhaustive) list of who you should be following.
5. Getty Images
If you care just as much about what's going on outside of the shows than on the runway, GettyImages.com is for you. Getty is the official photo agency for all things NYFW-related, so has all kinds of street style, behind the scenes and runway photos from almost every show throughout the week. In addition to the website, you can also follow @GettyEntertainment on Instagram and and @GettyImages on Snapchat.
Images: BethieGirmai,VogueRunway, FashionWeekOnline,
