Modeling for New York Fashion Week: Helpful Tips I Learned From My Experience
By Jan Crystal
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is one of the most prestigious and long-awaited events in the fashion industry. NYWF consists of 7-9 days and provides a platform for artists to showcase their latest collections and allows models to show off their runway talents. If your dream is to walk in a NYFW show, that dream certainly be accomplished with understanding the right steps and taking the correct actions to get there. Here are best practices and advice from my own experience on how to get to New York Fashion Week.
Photography by Elo Voyage | Adobe Stock
Research & Applications
Networking is an essential skill to establish as a newer model, so be ready to network as soon as you land in New York or any big city you are looking for work in. You can accomplish more and make more connections in the fashion world in simply a week in a larger city than what could take months to accomplish in a smaller market, like Arizona. You never know who you could meet at an event or even the airport, so always look and act professional and be ready to present yourself at any given moment.
One of the best things you can do for yourself before arrive is doing your research before booking your flight and room, even if you have already been casted for a show. Be sure to also use social media to follow agencies, photographers, designers, and casting directors. They often post casting notices and updates about upcoming opportunities, so don’t be afraid to engage with them by commenting and sending DMs to express your interest.
Fellow models, designers and show directors in your area can also be great resources to solidify an opportunity in New York. That’s what happened in my situation; I worked with a local AZ designer, SW Chainworks (@swchainworks), who mentioned she needed models for her NYFW show. I told her I was interested, making sure to follow up with her to solidify my spot, and walked for her line and a few other designers in NYFW 2023.
Keep an eye out for casting calls well in advance of each season. I saw social media posts for NYFW castings during the summer intended for the fall shows. During this time, also take the time to register and meet with modeling agencies in New York. If you’re really serious about taking your career to the next level, getting signed with a big city agency is the right way to go if you are looking to work with larger and more established brands.
Do your research, do some internet searches to view ratings, and be aware of emails or texts that seem fishy. There are scammers who say they are with big agencies, so make sure to verify and check the agency’s website to confirm the information they include in their message as it is unfortunately very easy to fall for scams in these situations.
Preparation for Castings and Shows in NY
When attending casting calls or registering for virtual castings, make sure you are prepared. Check that your Instagram/TikTok portfolios, headshots, and comp cards are available and up-to-date. It is crucial to dress appropriately for the type of casting you are attending; this typically including wearing an all black outfit. Always remember to remain professional and punctual.
Make sure you understand the specific requirements for each casting, including age, height, and size. Tailor your submissions to opportunities that align with your profile. As a curvy model, I was aware of the designers who were specifically looking for size 0 or 2 models. There are designers who want to work with curvy or shorter models, so do not be discouraged!
Photography by Anton | Adobe Stock
Pay close attention to the details provided in casting notices, (including date, time, location) and what is expected of you. Navigating a city such as New York will take more time, money and energy than smaller cities, so make sure to give yourself tons of time before an event. If you’re not good with directions, I recommend to use Uber or Lyft, but using the Subway is less expensive and can actually be quite the experience if you are up for the adventure!
Packing and Traveling
Be sure to find the exact location of the show before you book your flight and room, as this will make your arrival to New York much more adjustable. My friends and I booked an Airbnb minutes near the show venue. I recommend to select the NY airport you will be flying into accordingly (there are 3 major NYC airports). My friends and I stayed in Queens, NY this fall, so I chose a flight that landed in LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
Make sure to pack casting attire, undergarments, pasties, dressy and casual footwear, and hair/makeup kits for shows, just in case a show requires models to do their own hair/makeup. I also recommend bringing a small tripod for any and all content creation. New York is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, so you will want to get plenty of content - just be aware of your surroundings as you don’t want your gear stolen. I brought my small tripod for the shows and for site seeing, and it was well worth it.
I especially recommend setting up a tripod to capture video of your walk during a show, especially if it’s a small, independent production. Although you may be tempted to ask another model to record your walk, it’s important to respect people’s time as they may need to change for another designer or head to another show. Getting your walk recorded by phone is also a great backup, in case videography isn’t provided for the models.
Photography by @likemorephoto, Dress by @mightymaconline
Runway Walk
Confidence and energy for NYFW castings/shows are both important, even if you have to fake it until you make it. New York is exciting but it’s also distracting and very fast-paced. If you had a bad flight or couldn’t fall asleep the night before, it is important to shake it off and tap into your highest-energy self in front of designers and show directors, something I learned the hard way at an impromptu casting.
For shows, be prepared to walk on different types of runways: platformed runways, unplanned choreography, and sometimes even having to walk unconventional runways that are not a straight line. If you are nervous before your walk, be sure to practice either on the runway before the show or backstage.
Regardless of what style of fashion you are wearing, it is important to feel good in the garment and incorporate it into your walk. If you are walking for a hat designer for example, make sure to draw attention to the hat during your walk or pose.
Match the vibe of the designer and other models. Expect backstage to be chaotic, so in the heat of the moment, most models are willing to help each other with quick changes or anything that is needed in order to deliver a great show for the audience.
Photography by @likemorephoto, Fashion by @mike.malonefashion
Model Compensation
While I wasn’t paid for the two shows I walked in, I do recommend trying out for the independent, smaller shows first, then go for the bigger shows once you have experience. New York is entirely different than any other place, so it takes getting used to. Runway 7 and the official NYFW page have more info on the bigger productions.
This fall, I walked for Anastasia Fashion Production (Queens) and The Fashion Week Experience (Times Square). While it wasn’t expected, a couple designers insisted I keep a couple items that I wore on the runway. What was even better was making connections with people from all over the world and paving the way for future opportunities. Aside from the designers, the makeup artists and photographers were great contacts for me to have met.
Lastly, always prioritize your safety. Meet only in well-lit, public places for castings/photoshoots and trust your instincts.
Remember that NYFW is highly competitive, and even experienced models may not get selected every season. It takes time, learning from setbacks and hard work to expand your career. With dedication and believing in yourself, you can land opportunities in New York and work with the most talented designers in the world!
